Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

The best way to provide accommodation in large cities has become a subject of considerable debate. This issue is important because of its potential impact on the personal and professional development of individuals. This essay will examine whether the best way to provide housing in large cities is to build high-rise apartments or not, before presenting my own opinion.

The urbanisation of cities has changed the old trends of living in big cities. Building tall apartments can be a good idea to provide people with homes. For example, constructing a building vertically with many floors can be more beneficial, as we know such structures need less space compared to horizontal construction on the ground. The required number of apartments can be built without any stress on the geographical area. This can be beneficial for the housing problem. And the affordability of these flats can also be flexible, unlike ground-level houses. As a result, a large number of people can live in a single building.

The trend of high buildings can be seen all over the world over the past few decades. But this phenomenon might have potential negative effects as well. The construction of tall buildings could cause an increase in the greenhouse effect, with extreme temperatures, congestion, and low chances for nature to flourish among these buildings. For example, plants and trees may find it difficult to grow in an area with heavy carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases. They might be trapped in the nearby surroundings. In another scenario, social isolation among people may also be a consequence of these habitats. As there is less chance of interaction between neighbours in close buildings. For example, two families living in the same building can have less chance of knowing each other due to their residence on different floors, tight schedules, and unfamiliar backgrounds.

In my opinion, building tall apartments is a good solution to provide housing for a dense population in big cities. But the potential challenges can be mitigated with proper design of homes and residential plans.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the prompt, exploring both the benefits and drawbacks of building tall apartment blocks in large cities before providing a clear personal opinion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the efficient use of space compared to horizontal construction and the potential impacts on the environment and social interaction. However, some arguments tend to over-generalize or lack deeper development, such as the claim regarding carbon emissions and trapped greenhouse gases. Overall, the response meets the criteria for Band 7 by addressing all parts of the task with a clear position and well-supported ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear overall progression and logical organization. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to the advantages of high-rises, then to the disadvantages, and finally to the conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'For example', 'As a result', and 'In another scenario'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating distinct ideas into logical blocks. While referencing and paragraph transitions are generally effective, a slight over-reliance on standard transitional phrases keeps the cohesion from reaching the level of flexibility seen in higher bands. Therefore, a Band 7 is well-deserved for its clear logical organization and progression throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'urbanisation', 'horizontal construction', 'greenhouse effect', and 'social isolation'. Word choice is generally appropriate, though there are occasional inaccuracies or slightly unnatural collocations, such as 'tight schedules' in the context of neighbourhood interaction or 'low chances for nature to flourish among these buildings'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary does not impede communication. The use of functional vocabulary allows for sufficient flexibility, fitting comfortably within the Band 6 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student produces a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over various structures, such as 'Building tall apartments can be a good idea to provide people with homes' and 'constructing a building vertically with many floors can be more beneficial, as we know such structures need less space'. There are some minor grammatical errors and punctuation slips throughout the text, such as sentence fragments ('As there is less chance of interaction between neighbours in close buildings.') and slight phrasing awkwardness. However, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede communication, allowing the essay to achieve a solid Band 6.5, rounded to 6.5.

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

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