Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

As cities become immensely crowded, providing sufficient housing has become a major challenge. Some people think that building tall apartment blocks is the best way to tackle the situation. I largely agree with the view because building apartment blocks will provide enough houses in a limited area of land.

One major advantage of constructing high-rise buildings is that it will accommodate large number of families in relatively small area of land. As cities continue to grow and develop the land for building houses falls short and becomes limited. However, constructing large building blocks upwards and not outwards will make sure that more families reside in a specific area. Moreover, apartment buildings can be located near to workplaces, schools and public transport which will reduce commuting distances saving both time and money.

On the other hand, high-rise housing can not be suitable for every situation. For instance, apartments are suitable for a close-knit family and not a large family where privacy emerges as primary concern. Furthermore, families with young children prefer houses with open spaces such as gardens where children can play outdoor games safely. In addition, poorly designed high rise buildings can give rise to certain problems such as overcrowding, noise and pressure on lifts and other shared facilities. Therefore, simply constructing tall buildings does not offer a complete solution to housing problem.

In conclusion, I agree that constructing tall apartments will prove beneficial for many residents while making use of limited land. However, another approach should also be considered to overcome the drawbacks. Government should also provide other facilities such as parks and other recreational facilities so quality of life is not compromised.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that is maintained throughout. The arguments regarding land efficiency and proximity to amenities are relevant and well-supported. The counter-argument regarding privacy and the need for green spaces is also well-integrated, showing a balanced perspective. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be more nuanced; for example, instead of just mentioning 'overcrowding', you could briefly explain how high-rise design can mitigate this through smart architecture. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore' effectively to link ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more varied. For instance, in the second paragraph, the transition between the benefits of high-rise living and the mention of commuting could be smoother. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'close-knit family', 'tackle the situation', and 'quality of life' are used accurately. There are some minor issues with collocation and article usage, such as 'accommodate large number of families' (should be 'a large number') and 'housing problem' (should be 'the housing problem'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more sophisticated or less common lexical items related to urban planning—such as 'urban sprawl', 'high-density development', or 'infrastructure strain'—would elevate the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over basic grammar, and your meaning is always clear. There are some minor errors, such as missing articles ('in relatively small area' should be 'in a relatively small area') and occasional punctuation slips. While you attempt complex sentences, they are sometimes slightly repetitive in structure. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of subordinate clauses and ensure consistent subject-verb agreement and article usage. The errors present do not impede communication, which is a positive sign.

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