Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The increasing number of people moving from rural areas to cities has created a serious need for more housing. Therefore, I agree wholeheartedly that building vertical apartment blocks is one of the most effective ways to provide enough homes in large cities. In addition, living in flats can encourage people to communicate with each other and share their thoughts and experiences.

On the one hand, living in apartments is beneficial for families, because people live close to each other. They can easily communicate with their neighbours and convey messages from door to door. Furthermore, residents can meet each other in common areas and enjoy spending time together. For example, people living in the same apartment building can arrange small gatherings at weekend, where they can exchange their ideas about their lives, jobs and businesses. This type of social interaction can make people feel less lonely and help them develop strong relationships with their neighbours.

On the other hand, another major advantage of tall apartment buildings is that they can provide many facilities in one place. For example, modern apartment complexes can include shops, gyms, playgrounds, parking areas and other useful services for residents. As a result, people do not need to travel long distances to fulfil their daily needs. This is particularly helpful for families with children because they can use nearby recreational areas safely. Therefore, well-planned apartment buildings can not only provide more homes but also make urban life more convenient and comfortable.

In conclusion, I firmly agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide sufficient housing in large cities. They not only save land and accommodate more people, but also give residents opportunities to communicate, share ideas and support one another

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt clearly, maintaining a consistent position throughout. The arguments regarding social interaction and convenience are relevant and supported with examples. However, the response is somewhat limited in scope; it focuses almost exclusively on the benefits of apartment living for social and personal convenience, while neglecting the broader urban planning context, such as land-use efficiency or environmental impacts, which are central to the 'best way' aspect of the prompt. To reach a higher band, the response should explore counter-arguments or provide a more comprehensive analysis of why tall blocks are superior to other housing solutions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'As a result' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the social benefits and the convenience of facilities is smooth. The overall structure is coherent, though the range of cohesive devices could be slightly more varied to avoid a somewhat mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses some topic-specific terms like 'vertical apartment blocks', 'urban life', and 'recreational areas'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler, repetitive phrasing such as 'communicate with each other' and 'people'. To improve, the student should incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common lexical items related to urban development and housing density to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. For instance, the use of conditional-like structures and relative clauses is generally correct. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher band, the student should aim to incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more advanced subordinating conjunctions, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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