Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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)

At present, a great many large cities are experiencing a lack of housing since their populations are increasing rapidly. A typical way of dealing with this is to construct tall blocks of apartments. I am in agreement with this approach since high-rise apartments are able to offer homes for a large number of people without occupying a great deal of land.

The primary reason for my support of this idea is that tall buildings are more efficient in the use of scarce space. In big cities land is generally expensive and there is little empty space to be found. If houses are built individually, a great deal of land would be required. A tall apartment building has many homes on different floors, allowing many families to live in the same area. This helps create more housing in crowded cities.

A further advantage is that developing upwards can prevent cities from spreading excessively. If new houses are only constructed outside the city, a greater amount of agricultural and open land would have to be put to use for housing. This could cause problems for the environment and for local communities. However, by constructing more apartments in already developed areas, cities will be able to offer housing without wasting the land they already have.

Tall buildings must be properly planned; if a large number of apartments are constructed in a given area without providing adequate roads, parking spaces, schools, and public transport, the residents might encounter various other difficulties. It is therefore essential to have good planning when developing high-rise housing.

To sum up, I agree that tall apartment blocks are a good solution for providing a sufficient number of homes in large cities since they are able to accommodate a large number of people in a small space and also help reduce the necessity for cities to spread out into the surrounding land.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by presenting a clear position agreeing with the statement and supporting it with logical arguments. In the introduction, the writer outlines the problem of rapid population growth and states their stance clearly. Main body paragraphs are effectively used to develop key arguments, such as the efficient use of scarce urban land and the prevention of urban sprawl. Furthermore, the inclusion of a concession or qualification in paragraph four regarding the need for proper infrastructure shows a nuanced understanding of the topic. The ideas are extended and supported well throughout, reflecting a Band 7 level of task response. The position is maintained consistently from the beginning to the end of the essay without deviation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction, followed by two supportive body paragraphs, a consideration of planning needs, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to link ideas, such as 'The primary reason for my support', 'A further advantage', and 'To sum up'. Referencing is clear, and the overall progression of the argument is easy to follow. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to separate distinct aspects of the prompt. While the cohesive devices are somewhat standard rather than sophisticated, they manage the flow of information effectively, earning a solid Band 7 rating.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Phrases such as 'rapidly', 'scarce space', 'urban sprawl' (contextually implied), and 'adequate roads' show that the writer can use precise terms to discuss housing and urban development. There are also attempts at less common vocabulary items like 'accommodate' and 'necessity'. Word choice is generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout the response. Although the lexical range does not reach the flexibility of higher bands due to some reliance on common descriptors (e.g., 'great deal', 'good planning'), the vocabulary is fully sufficient to convey meaning clearly and without impediment, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7 profile; a band 6.5 is appropriate here.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with frequent error-free sentences. The writer successfully employs complex structures, such as conditional and dependent clauses (e.g., 'If houses are built individually, a great deal of land would be required' and 'if a large number of apartments are constructed... the residents might encounter...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is generally strong, with only minor slips or slightly repetitive structures. Punctuation is used correctly to demarcate clauses and aid readability. The grammatical accuracy is high, with no major errors that impede communication. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptor for grammatical range and accuracy.

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