Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22

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)

The rapid growth of urban population has created a significant demand for housing in large cities. Some people argue that the most effective solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. I largely agree with this view, although I believe that high rise buildings should form part of a broader housing strategy rather than being the only solution.

One major advantage of constructing tall apartment blocks is that they make efficient use of limited urban land. In densely populated cities, land is scarce and extremely expensive, so building upwards allows a large number of people to live in relatively small area. For example, a single high rise building can accommodate hundreds of families while occupying far less land than an equivalent number of detached houses. This approach can therefore help cities meet increasing housing demand without expanding endlessly into surrounding rural areas.

Another benefit is that high density housing can make public infrastructure and services more efficient. When residents are concentrated in a particular area, government can provide public transport, schools, hospitals and other facilities more easily. Furthermore, apartment blocks located near employment centres can reduce commuting distances and consequently lessen traffic congestion ND pollution. Cities such as Singapore demonstrates how high density residential development can be combined with efficient public transportation and other urban facilities.

However, relying on tall apartment buildings could create several problems. Very high density neighbourhoods may become overcrowded and sometimes provide insufficient green or recreational space. In addition, some families may prefer houses with private outdoor areas, particularly those with young children. Therefore, government should also consider low rise housing, renovated properties and planned suburban developments where suitable. A mixture of housing types would give people greater choice while still allowing cities to accommodate population growth.

In conclusion, I agree that building upwards is one of the most particular ways to provide housing in large cities, primarily because it maximises the use of scarce land and supports efficient urban infrastructure. Nevertheless, it should be combined with other forms of housing development to create cities that are both adequately supplied with home and pleasant places to live.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing the extent of agreement regarding tall apartment blocks. The student presents a clear position from the introduction, stating a partial agreement that high-rise buildings should form part of a broader housing strategy. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as mentioning land scarcity, public infrastructure efficiency, and citing Singapore as a case study. The arguments are extended logically into the counter-argument regarding overcrowding and preference for suburban houses, which adds balance and depth to the discussion. Overall, the task is handled thoroughly, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the introduction of the stance, moving through advantages regarding land use and infrastructure, addressing potential drawbacks, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to guide the reader, such as 'One major advantage', 'Another benefit', and 'However'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to structure the flow of ideas. While referencing and cohesion are generally smooth, occasional minor mechanical transitions prevent it from reaching the highest band levels, placing it solidly in Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, such as 'densely populated', 'scarce and extremely expensive', and 'infrastructure'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, including phrases like 'lessen traffic congestion' and 'maximises the use of scarce land'. There are minor slips, such as the typographical error 'ND' instead of 'AND', and a slight lexical inaccuracy in the conclusion where 'one of the most particular ways' is used instead of 'practical ways'. However, these vocabulary choices are adequate for the task and communication remains completely unimpeded, matching the criteria for Band 6.5 or 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating conditional structures and relative clauses effectively (e.g., 'particularly those with young children' and 'where suitable'). There is a high proportion of error-free sentences, and control of grammar and punctuation is generally good. A few minor errors persist, such as missing pluralisation in 'government should also consider' and 'adequately supplied with home', but these do not impede communication. The control shown throughout the essay warrants a solid Band 7 score.

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