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)

It is often argued that the best way to provide enough housing in big cities is through building tall apartment blocks. This essay strongly agrees with the above statement and will provide reasons to support this.

On one hand, there are a number of advantages to building tall apartment blocks as they provide us with sustainable and modern infrastructure which is very crucial for urban development and modernization. Moreover, when people live in apartments they have access to various public services such as metro and buses which reduces pollution and helps in a cleaner environment. In addition to this, people really can't afford low-level independent houses that cost a fortune. For example, people living in Gurgaon usually rent out flats in tall apartments because it saves them 10 times the amount of money they would pay in a year if they bought an independent house.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages as well to building tall apartment blocks. Firstly, building tall apartment blocks usually restricts people in their own houses and leaves no space for a social gathering or an event. Secondly, if the block is not constructed properly as per the norms then it would be very difficult for the emergency services to perform rescue operations in times of an emergency situation or a natural calamity. For instance, in Noida when a high-rise apartment caught fire, the emergency services were not able to put out the fire due to the claustrophobic design of the block.

In conclusion, I think the number of advantages outweigh the disadvantages, proving that the best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build high-rise apartment blocks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position throughout and supporting it with relevant arguments. The writer considers both sides of the issue—discussing the advantages such as sustainability, public service access, and cost-efficiency in urban areas like Gurgaon, as well as disadvantages like spatial restrictions and fire safety concerns exemplified by Noida. The ideas are adequately extended and supported, though the discussion on disadvantages could have been balanced with a slightly deeper counter-argument to reach higher levels of full development. Nevertheless, the position is well-maintained from the introduction to the conclusion, satisfying the main requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear overall progression and logical organization. The introduction outlines the writer's stance, followed by distinct body paragraphs that use standard transition markers such as 'On one hand,' 'Moreover,' 'In addition to this,' and 'On the other hand.' Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate advantages and disadvantages. However, some cohesive devices feel slightly mechanical or formulaic. Referencing and substitution are generally clear, though smoother transitions between sentences within the body paragraphs would elevate the cohesion to a higher standard.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'sustainable and modern infrastructure,' 'urban development,' and 'natural calamity.' There are also attempts to use less common vocabulary, such as 'claustrophobic design' and 'independent houses.' While word choice is generally effective, minor unnatural phrasing occurs, such as 'through building' instead of 'by building' and 'low-level independent houses' instead of 'low-rise detached houses.' Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, allowing the message to be communicated clearly without hindrance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilizing relative clauses and conditional structures effectively. Examples include 'Moreover, when people live in apartments they have access to various public services...' and 'Secondly, if the block is not constructed properly as per the norms then it would be very difficult...' Control over grammar and punctuation is generally good, and errors are infrequent. The majority of complex sentences are well-formed, and minor structural awkwardnesses do not impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to guide the reader through the arguments.

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