Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13
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)
Building tall apartment blocks in large cities is the most effective solution to provide enough homes in large cities. I am strongly agree that one of the solutions could be constructing a tall building for several reasons.
On the one hand, building tall apartments will be a beneficial solution to solve the overpopulation problem in large cities. Firstly, high buildings allow governments to let a lot of people live in one area instead of using a lot of land. For example, Singapore depends on this idea to let large numbers of families live in one area. In addition, it will help services to develop and become more efficient, such as modes of transport. Governments can provide public transport, water, electricity and waste collection more efficiently. As a result, residents may also live closer to workplaces and shopping centres.
On the other hand, encouraging people to live in high buildings will make a significant change in our country. Firstly, this helps preserve green spaces, farmland and natural habitats, and this will lead to improving the quality of the air we breathe. In addition, high-rise housing can reduce traffic if it is located close to workplaces and public transport. People will have shorter journeys to schools, universities and companies. High buildings can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
To recapitulate, building tall apartment blocks will be a beneficial solution to solve this severe problem of dense populations in large cities. I strongly agree because it will reduce traffic congestion and improve facilities, such as transport, which will be available to all people.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position throughout, agreeing with the statement that tall apartment blocks are the best way to provide housing. Key ideas are presented and supported with examples, such as Singapore's housing approach, and reasoned points regarding infrastructure and green spaces. However, some arguments feel slightly repetitive, particularly between the second and third body paragraphs where traffic reduction and proximity to workplaces are mentioned twice. While the position is maintained and the prompt is adequately discussed, the development of ideas leans towards over-generalisation rather than deeper analysis. Consequently, the performance aligns well with the Band 7 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The structure is traditional and easy to follow, featuring an introduction, two body paragraphs clearly signposted with 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand', and a conclusion introduced by 'To recapitulate'. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect ideas, such as 'Firstly', 'In addition', and 'As a result'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the argument. However, referencing is occasionally repetitive, and some transitional phrases feel slightly mechanical, which prevents the essay from reaching the higher bands where cohesion becomes completely seamless and unobtrusive. Overall, the organisational framework is solid and coherent.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, using terms such as 'overpopulation problem', 'natural habitats', 'traffic congestion', and 'dense populations'. There are successful attempts to incorporate less common lexical items related to urban planning and environment. However, there are some minor word-choice and collocation flaws, most notably in the opening sentence where the writer states 'I am strongly agree' instead of 'I strongly agree', and occasional repetition of common phrases like 'large cities' and 'one area'. While the vocabulary is adequate to convey the message clearly and with some stylistic awareness, the presence of these minor inaccuracies places the response firmly within the Band 6 territory.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The writer attempts various complex structures using subordinate clauses, such as 'Governments can provide public transport... more efficiently' and 'high-rise housing can reduce traffic if it is located close to workplaces'. There are several completely error-free sentences, demonstrating good control of basic grammar and punctuation. Nevertheless, there are persistent grammatical errors, most notably the awkward phrasing 'I am strongly agree' in the introduction, alongside minor punctuation slips. These errors do not impede communication, as the meaning remains clear throughout, but the frequency of such inaccuracies prevents the writing from achieving a Band 7 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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