Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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)

Overpopulation has become a major concern in metropolitan cities. It is widely suggested that, to overcome the problem of housing shortages, it is necessary to construct multi-storey residential buildings. This essay strongly agrees with this notion for several compelling reasons.

A key justification for this stance is that the growing population in major cities has posed numerous challenges for authorities. Large numbers of people are migrating from rural to urban areas in search of better employment, healthcare, and educational opportunities. As a result, traffic congestion and overcrowding have become increasingly prevalent. It is becoming difficult for people to find accommodation in spacious houses because there is insufficient land available. Therefore, one possible solution to this problem is for governments to implement strategies to provide adequate housing for local residents. For example, constructing apartment buildings can provide accommodation for a large number of people while making efficient use of limited land.

Another pivotal factor is that it is not affordable for every citizen to purchase their own house in a developed city because the cost of living is relatively high. In many developed countries, people prefer to live in apartments by paying reasonable rents. A major advantage of apartment living is that tenants do not have to worry about major renovations or other maintenance responsibilities, as these are generally handled by the property owners or management. Moreover, apartments can offer greater security because many residential buildings have dedicated security systems and personnel. For instance, people often prioritise living in peaceful and secure residential areas, which can be provided by well-managed apartment complexes.

In conclusion, although there are several disadvantages to living in multi-storey buildings, I believe that their advantages outweigh the drawbacks. Constructing high-rise residential buildings can help address housing shortages, make better use of limited urban land, and provide affordable and secure accommodation for a growing population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by taking a clear and well-developed position that high-rise residential blocks are the best solution for urban housing shortages. The introduction clearly states the writer's stance, and the body paragraphs logically extend and support this position with relevant arguments. For instance, the second paragraph explains how vertical housing makes efficient use of limited land while tackling overpopulation and rural-urban migration. The third paragraph introduces additional supporting arguments regarding affordability, maintenance benefits, and security in apartment living. The ideas are cohesive, well-supported with logical explanations, and meet the criteria for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction of the issue and the writer's stance, followed by well-sequenced body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'As a result', 'Therefore', 'Another pivotal factor', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used logically and appropriately to separate different facets of the argument. While the referencing and links between sentences are generally clear and smooth, the essay sits comfortably within the Band 7 descriptors for its logical flow and clear overall progression.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision. Phrases such as 'metropolitan cities', 'housing shortages', 'multi-storey residential buildings', 'rural to urban areas', and 'traffic congestion' demonstrate a good command of topic-specific language. The writer also attempts some less common lexical items, such as 'prevalent', 'prioritise', and 'management', with general awareness of style and collocation. There are only occasional minor limitations, but the vocabulary used is adequate to convey precise meaning without impeding communication, matching the criteria for a Band 7.0 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures alongside simple forms. Examples of complex structures include concessive and causal clauses such as 'although there are several disadvantages to living in multi-storey buildings, I believe that their advantages outweigh the drawbacks.' Control over grammar and punctuation is generally strong, with frequent error-free sentences produced throughout the text. While minor structural awkwardnesses occasionally surface, such as 'it is not affordable for every citizen to purchase their own house', these errors do not impede communication and reflect the solid control expected at Band 7.0.

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