Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-26

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 growing population of large cities has created a serious demand for housing. Some people believe that the best solution is to construct tall apartment buildings. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can provide many homes while using less land, but they can also create several problems.

On the one hand, building tall apartment blocks can be an effective way to provide housing. The main advantage is that a large number of people can live in a relatively small area. This is particularly useful in crowded cities where land is expensive and limited. In addition, apartments can be built close to workplaces, schools and public transport, which can reduce travelling time. For example, cities such as Mumbai have many high-rise residential buildings because there is a large population but limited land available for construction.

On the other hand, high-rise buildings are not the only solution to the housing problem. Living in very tall buildings can sometimes reduce people's quality of life because residents may have limited private outdoor space. Moreover, large apartment complexes can put pressure on public services such as roads, water supply and public transport. Another option is to develop low-rise housing in less crowded areas around cities. With proper transport connections, people can live outside city centres while still having access to employment and essential services.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks can provide a large number of homes while saving valuable land, but they may also create problems for residents and public infrastructure. Therefore, I partly agree that they are an effective solution, but they should be combined with other forms of housing development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing whether tall apartment blocks are the best way to provide enough homes in large cities. The student adopts a clear position ("I partly agree with this view") and maintains it throughout the essay. Main ideas are relevant, well-developed, and extended with appropriate explanations and examples, such as the mention of Mumbai to illustrate high-density urban housing. The arguments balance the advantages of high-rises—such as land efficiency and proximity to infrastructure—with valid counterpoints regarding quality of life and strain on public services. The conclusion effectively summarizes the stance without contradicting previous points. Overall, the task response demonstrates a strong command of the prompt requirements, meeting the descriptors for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from an introductory stance to well-structured body paragraphs presenting contrasting views, and concluding with a balanced summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, including clear transitional markers such as "On the one hand", "On the other hand", "In addition", and "Moreover". Paragraphing is managed appropriately to separate distinct arguments. Referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the flow of ideas. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7.0 descriptors for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, successfully using terms relevant to the topic such as "residential buildings", "public infrastructure", "employment", and "quality of life". Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, such as "putting pressure on public services" and "valuable land". While the vocabulary is generally appropriate and adequate for the task, it occasionally relies on standard, safe collocations rather than more sophisticated or uncommon phrasing. Spelling and word choice are accurate throughout, ensuring that communication is never hindered. This lexical control places the response squarely at Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writer uses a good variety of complex sentence structures alongside simple forms, demonstrating solid control over grammar and punctuation. Examples of successful complex structures include relative clauses and conditional-style reasoning, such as "This is particularly useful in crowded cities where land is expensive and limited" and "With proper transport connections, people can live outside city centres while still having access to employment and essential services." There are frequent error-free sentences, and any minor errors are virtually non-existent, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to guide the reader through complex thoughts. This level of grammatical range and control meets the criteria for a Band 7.5.

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