Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
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?
As the population of large cities continues to increase, providing enough housing has become a major challenge. Some people believe that building tall apartment blocks is the best solution. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can provide housing for many people, but I believe that other housing options are also necessary.
On the one hand, building tall apartment blocks can be an effective way to solve housing shortages. Large cities often have limited land, so constructing buildings with many floors allows more people to live in the same area. This can also reduce the need to expand cities into rural areas. For example, a single high-rise building can provide hundreds of apartments while using much less land than hundreds of separate houses. In addition, people living in apartment blocks may have easier access to public transport, schools, shops and other facilities.
On the other hand, relying mainly on tall buildings can create several problems. High-rise apartments can be expensive to construct and maintain, and they may not be affordable for low-income families. .Therefore, governments should consider other solutions, such as developing affordable low-rise housing in suitable areas and improving public transport so that people can live outside crowded city centres.
In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment blocks are an important way to provide housing in large city
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position throughout by stating that they partly agree with the proposition. Relevant ideas are presented, such as the efficient land use of high-rise buildings and the associated problems of cost and infrastructure. However, the development of ideas is slightly constrained by the overall length, which falls just short of the 250-word minimum at 248 words. Specifically, the conclusion is truncated and cuts off mid-sentence ('large city'), which prevents a fully developed final thought. Because the length requirement is not met and the final sentence is incomplete, the task response is penalised slightly, resulting in a band score of 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are effectively grouped into paragraphs, with a clear introduction outlining the student's stance, distinct body paragraphs handling contrasting views ('On the one hand', 'On the other hand'), and a concluding attempt. Cohesive devices such as 'For example' and 'In addition' are used appropriately to connect ideas. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically. While the essay is cut short at the very end, the cohesion up to that point is clear and logical. Therefore, this criterion comfortably meets the requirements for a band 7.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow flexibility and precision, employing appropriate terms such as 'population', 'housing shortages', 'infrastructure', and 'low-income families'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, as seen in phrases like 'constructing buildings with many floors allows more people to live in the same area'. There are no spelling errors or awkward word choices that impede communication. The vocabulary is adequate and meets the descriptors for a band 6.5, positioned nicely between sufficient control and occasional less common usage.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over sentence structures with clauses such as 'As the population of large cities continues to increase, providing enough housing has become a major challenge.' There are frequent error-free sentences in the body paragraphs, showing good command of grammatical structures. Minor punctuation issues are present, such as a stray double period after 'families. .Therefore,', but these errors do not impede communication. The grammatical control is solid, matching the standard for a band 7.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.