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)

The rapid growth of urban populations has created a serious demand for housing in many large cities. Some people believe that building tall apartment blocks is the best way to provide enough homes. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate many people, although I believe that they should be combined with other housing solutions.

One major benefit of building multiple floor buildings is that they can utilise a small amount of land and accomodate a large number of people at a time. For example, instead of using a large piece of land to build several individual houses, a city can construct one high-rise building containing hundreds of apartments. This can help reduce pressure on land and provide housing for a growing population.

Another benefit is that apartment blocks can be located close to public transport, schools and other essential services. This can make daily life more convenient for residents and may also reduce the need for long journeys. In addition, high-density housing can help cities use their infrastructure more efficiently.

However, I do not believe that building tall apartment blocks is the only effective solution. If too many high-rise buildings are constructed, cities may face problems such as overcrowding, traffic congestion and a lack of green spaces. Some people may also prefer living in houses with gardens, particularly families with young children. Therefore, governments should consider a mixture of housing options, including low-rise buildings, houses and high-rise apartments.

In conclusion, I believe that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide housing in large cities because they use land efficiently and can accommodate many people. However, they should not be the only solution, and cities should develop a balanced range of housing options according to the needs of their residents.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by presenting a clear position and supporting it with relevant arguments. Your introduction establishes a balanced view, and the body paragraphs provide logical reasons for both the benefits and the drawbacks of high-rise living. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the points regarding land efficiency and infrastructure. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your examples; for instance, mentioning a specific city or a more detailed scenario regarding the 'lack of green spaces' would strengthen the depth of your analysis. Overall, your position is consistent and well-supported throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'One major benefit', 'Another benefit', 'In addition', and 'However' effectively to guide the reader. The transition between the advantages and the counter-argument is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. To improve, ensure that your referencing is always precise and try to use a wider variety of cohesive markers to avoid a slightly mechanical feel in the transition between sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'rapid growth of urban populations', 'high-density housing', and 'infrastructure more efficiently' are used correctly and appropriately for an academic context. There is one minor spelling error ('accomodate' should be 'accommodate'). While your vocabulary is accurate and clear, it is generally functional. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations related to urban planning and sociology to demonstrate greater flexibility and stylistic awareness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your writing shows a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. You successfully use conditional structures ('If too many high-rise buildings are constructed...') and relative clauses. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice constructions or more advanced inversion techniques, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already achieved.

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