Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12

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)

Nowadays, large urban areas have a high population density, which has created a shortage of housing in many cities. Some people argue that constructing high-rise buildings is the best way to provide sufficient accommodation in densely populated urban areas. I agree with this view because high-rise apartments can accommodate a large number of people while using a relatively small amount of land.

Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru have become major metropolitan areas with high population densities. Every year, a large number of people migrate from other parts of the country in search of better employment opportunities. As a result, these cities become overcrowded and face a shortage of affordable housing. Furthermore, many workers and young professionals have to live in shared apartments because they cannot afford or find suitable accommodation for themselves.

Constructing high-rise buildings could help address this problem by providing housing for numerous individuals and families. Unlike low-rise houses, high-rise apartments can accommodate many households on a limited amount of land. This would allow more people to live in urban areas without requiring cities to expand into surrounding rural regions. In addition, modern high-rise buildings can make metropolitan areas look more developed and attractive. Since there is already strong demand for housing in major cities, newly constructed apartments are also likely to be occupied quickly.

In conclusion, constructing high-rise apartments is a beneficial solution to the shortage of housing in densely populated cities. It can provide accommodation for people who migrate in search of employment while making better use of limited urban land. Therefore, I believe that the construction of high-rise buildings can contribute to the development of modern and well-planned cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position throughout. The writer explicitly agrees with the prompt in the introduction and maintains this stance, arguing that high-rise apartments provide a practical solution to urban housing shortages while preserving land. Ideas are well supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to illustrate urban overcrowding. The main points are extended with logical reasoning, noting how vertical expansion prevents the unnecessary spread of cities into rural areas. The development is appropriate for an IELTS Task 2 response, fulfilling the criteria for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with an introduction, moving to the causes of housing shortages, discussing the solutions offered by high-rise buildings, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to link ideas, such as 'Furthermore', 'Unlike low-rise houses', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is managed sufficiently, and referencing is generally clear throughout the text. While the use of cohesive devices is straightforward rather than sophisticated, it meets the requirements for Band 7 by ensuring smooth progression and logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on urbanisation and housing. Phrases such as 'high population density', 'affordable housing', 'employment opportunities', and 'metropolitan areas' demonstrate an adequate control of topic-specific language. There are also attempts to use less common items, such as 'accommodate', 'overcrowded', and 'urban expansion'. Word choice and spelling are generally accurate, and although the range of vocabulary is not particularly wide or sophisticated, it is fully adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly, aligning with Band 6.5 or a solid Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The student successfully incorporates complex structures, such as relative clauses and conditional-like or participial constructions (e.g., 'which has created a shortage of housing', 'because they cannot afford or find suitable accommodation'). Grammar and punctuation are generally well controlled, and errors are rare. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and the occasional minor flaws do not impede communication at all. The control of grammar exceeds Band 6 expectations, leaning comfortably into Band 7.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.