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 the 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

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The response addresses the prompt by discussing the benefits of tall apartment blocks, specifically focusing on social interaction and the convenience of integrated facilities. However, the response is somewhat narrow in scope. While you argue for the benefits, you do not address the potential drawbacks or counter-arguments, which would have provided a more balanced and comprehensive discussion. To reach a higher band, ensure you explore the topic from multiple perspectives or provide more depth regarding the 'extent' of your agreement, perhaps by acknowledging potential challenges like infrastructure strain or density issues.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'As a result' to guide the reader through your arguments. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices further, as some transitions are quite standard. Additionally, ensure that the link between the social benefits mentioned in the first body paragraph and the prompt's focus on 'providing enough homes' is more explicitly connected to strengthen the overall argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'vertical apartment blocks', 'modern apartment complexes', and 'recreational areas' appropriately. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'people' and 'communicate'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to urban planning and housing, such as 'high-density housing', 'urban sprawl', 'infrastructure', or 'communal living'. This would demonstrate a more sophisticated control of lexical items and improve the overall academic tone of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your writing is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is correct. You successfully use complex structures, such as 'This is particularly helpful for families with children because they can use nearby recreational areas safely.' While the grammar is solid, the range of structures is somewhat limited. To improve, try to incorporate more advanced grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'Land can be saved by...') or conditional sentences (e.g., 'If cities were to prioritize vertical growth, they could...'), which would demonstrate greater flexibility and control.

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

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