Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19

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 6.0)

In the modern world, rapid population growth and highly crowded cities cause residence shortages, and people should decide what type of residence would be more suitable to alleviate this problem. Some people believe that tall apartment blocks would be the best way to provide enough homes in large cities. Although tall apartments can cause inconvenience and concern, I agree that it will remain the best option for several reasons.

On the one hand, living in apartment offers a restricted space and inconvenience compared to single private houses. The conditions such as a connection between all apartments and an absence of private courtyards will result in less private and more noisy life. As a result, people who prefer solitude and peaceful environments can choose single private houses. Moreover, the higher the apartment, the more dangerous it is in the case of natural disasters and unexpected accidents. Tall blocks are often vulnerable and the chance of successfully evacuating is low compared to single private houses.

On the other hand, single houses are less environmentally friendly and less effective way to provide a home for all people. Building small private houses will cover more space which results in the reduced wildlife habitat, creating environmental problems. Large and crowded cities often lack a space for such houses and this option is often unavailable. In addition, as apartments are more affordable compared to single private houses, they will place less financial pressure on individuals to purchase a residence.

In my opinion, accurately planned and high quality tall apartment blocks could create convenient environment while providing all people with enough homes. Building a large amounts of single private houses will demand more resources and space, which is less adequate option.

In conclusion, I agree that the best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks, as preserving resources is essential and high quality apartments will create a convenient and safe environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt with a clear position throughout. The student introduces the discussion by acknowledging potential drawbacks of tall apartment blocks, such as inconvenience and safety concerns during emergencies, before firmly agreeing that they remain the best overall solution for high-density urban areas. The body paragraphs are organized logically to contrast the limitations of single-family homes with the environmental and economic benefits of high-rise living. Ideas are supported with relevant explanations regarding space constraints, wildlife preservation, and financial accessibility. While some arguments could be extended further with specific real-world examples, the position is well-maintained and the main requirements of the task are successfully fulfilled. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptor, as all parts are addressed with a clear stance and extended ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and a discernible progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with an introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs addressing both sides of the issue, a personal viewpoint, and a summarizing conclusion. The student employs useful cohesive markers such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In my opinion', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader through the argumentative structure. However, paragraphing and referencing occasionally feel slightly mechanical, and some transitions could be smoother. For instance, the link between the sentence 'Tall blocks are often vulnerable and the chance of successfully evacuating is low' and the preceding text relies on basic conjunctions rather than sophisticated linking devices. Overall, the cohesive framework is clear and meets the criteria for Band 6.5 to 7.0; a score of 7.0 is awarded for the clear overall progression and logical paragraphing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Phrases like 'rapid population growth', 'residence shortages', 'alleviate this problem', and 'wildlife habitat' show a good grasp of topic-related terminology. However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice, such as writing 'living in apartment' instead of 'living in apartments', and 'a more noisy life' instead of 'a noisier life'. There are also minor awkward collocations, such as 'Building a large amounts' instead of 'Building large amounts'. Despite these occasional lexical slips, the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey the intended meaning accurately without impeding communication, representing a solid Band 6 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over relative clauses and conditional structures, such as 'Although tall apartments can cause inconvenience and concern, I agree that it will remain the best option'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly concerning article usage and pluralization, such as 'residence shortages' instead of 'housing shortages', 'living in apartment', and 'lack a space' instead of 'lack space'. Additionally, the subject-verb agreement is flawed in 'Building a large amounts... will demand'. These frequent minor errors mean that while complex sentences are attempted, they are not always error-free. The grammar supports clear communication but falls short of Band 7 control, comfortably earning a Band 6.

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