Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08

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)

In the contemporary era, It is urbanisation that has led to a rapid increase in population density in large cities, creating a growing demand for adequate housing.The most effective solution to meet the demand for housing in major urban areas is to construct high-rise residential buildings. I partially agree with this viewpoint, ideas related to this will be discussed in upcoming paragraphs before giving conclusion.

To commence with, there are several benefits to constructing tall apartment blocks in large cities. First and foremost, high-rise buildings make efficient use of limited land because they can accommodate a large number of people within a relatively small area. This is particularly important in densely populated cities where land is expensive and scarce. For example, in Singapore, many residents live in high-rise housing, which enables the city to provide homes for a large population without requiring excessive amounts of land

However, I do not believe that building tall apartment blocks is the only solution to the housing problem. One major drawback is that a concentration of residents in high-rise areas can lead to overcrowding and put considerable pressure on public facilities, such as roads, schools and public transport. For instance, if thousands of people live in the same apartment complex, local transport and other essential services may become congested, which can reduce residents’ quality of life. Therefore, cities should combine high-rise housing with other forms of residential development.

In a nutshell, although tall apartment blocks can accommodate a large number of people and make efficient use of limited land, they can also lead to overcrowding and pressure on public facilities. Ultimately, a combination of high-rise and low-rise housing would be a more practical and sustainable solution for providing sufficient homes in large cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that is partially in agreement with the statement. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the reference to Singapore. The argument is developed logically, moving from the benefits of high-rise buildings to the potential drawbacks of overcrowding. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the points made. To reach a higher band, the student could further extend the discussion by exploring specific urban planning strategies or comparing high-rise living with alternative housing models in more depth, ensuring that the 'extent' of the agreement is nuanced throughout the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'First and foremost', 'However', and 'In a nutshell' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The referencing is generally clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth. The structure is coherent, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'population density', 'urbanisation', 'residential development', and 'sustainable solution' correctly. There is some flexibility in word choice, and the meaning is conveyed clearly throughout. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider command of the language. Overall, the lexical control is solid and supports the development of the argument well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There are minor punctuation issues, such as the missing space after the period in the first paragraph ('housing.The'), and a slight awkwardness in the phrasing 'ideas related to this will be discussed in upcoming paragraphs before giving conclusion'. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The control over complex structures is good, and the overall grammatical accuracy is consistent with a high level of proficiency.

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