Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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)

As cities become increasingly crowded, providing enough housing for growing populations has become a serious challenge. Although tall apartment blocks can provide homes efficiently, I partly agree that they are the best solution.

One major advantage of building tall apartment blocks is that they make efficient use of limited urban land. Instead of spreading houses over large areas, hundreds of families can live in one high-rise building. This is particularly useful in large cities where land is expensive and scarce. For example, cities such as Hong Kong have developed many high-rise residential buildings to accommodate large populations within a limited area. Moreover, apartment blocks can be built close to public transport, schools and workplaces, reducing commuting times and traffic congestion. Therefore, constructing vertically can be an effective way to provide housing while protecting surrounding land.

However, relying entirely on tall buildings can also create several problems. High-rise apartments may be expensive to construct and maintain, and living in densely populated buildings can sometimes reduce privacy and access to outdoor space. In addition, if too many people are concentrated in one area, local services such as roads, hospitals and schools may become overcrowded. Other solutions, such as developing smaller houses in suburban areas or converting unused buildings into homes, can also increase the housing supply. For instance, abandoned offices can be renovated into apartments without requiring large amounts of new land.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks are an efficient way to provide homes in crowded cities, but combining them with other housing solutions is likely to create more balanced urban development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position ('I partly agree') and discussing both sides of the argument. The ideas are relevant and supported with appropriate examples, such as referencing Hong Kong to illustrate efficient land use, and discussing the conversion of abandoned offices into homes. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, and the main points—such as land efficiency, infrastructure strain, and alternative housing options—are adequately developed. Although some arguments could be extended further to reach a higher band level, the response successfully fulfills the requirements of the prompt, earning a solid Band 7.0 for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving from an introduction and stance, to the advantages of tall buildings, then to their disadvantages and alternative solutions, and finally a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'One major advantage', 'Moreover', and 'In addition' are used appropriately and flexibly to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively, ensuring the essay flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Referencing and substitution are clear, contributing to an overall coherent piece of writing that fits comfortably into the Band 7 category.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student displays a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for some flexibility and precision, using phrases like 'efficient use of limited urban land', 'expensive and scarce', and 'traffic congestion'. There are also successful attempts to use less common lexical items such as 'accommodate', 'densely populated', and 'renovated'. While most word choices are accurate, the vocabulary remains fairly standard for academic writing without reaching the more sophisticated control characteristic of higher bands. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, ensuring that communication is never hindered. This lexical control aligns well with the Band 7 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer employs a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or concessive clauses such as 'As cities become increasingly crowded...' and 'Although tall apartment blocks can provide homes efficiently...'. There is a high proportion of error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled competently. While the grammatical range is slightly limited in terms of truly advanced syntactic structures, the control over the structures attempted is commendable. Minor slips do occur, but they are infrequent and do not impede communication in any way. This performance merits a Band 7.0 for grammatical range and accuracy.

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

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