Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-03

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)

In this contemporary era, most cities have resorted to developing buildings vertically as a remedy to provide housing space for everyone. Building upwards create overpopulation in cities and provide less home space for other activities. However, in my opinion I strongly agree that it is the solution to housing problem since it preserve space for other purposes and saves in fuel usage.

On one hand, building tall buildings create overcrowding in cities. In Zimbabwe, areas such as Mbare Musika with tall residential buildings, are always experiencing challenges associated with overpopulation. Most of the disease outbreaks start from those areas. People are always experiencing water shortages. Furthermore, those residents in tall buildings do not have space for other activities. There is no space for a small garden, or even for children to play around. Chidren are always indoors and this create a stressful environment. Despite all those demerits, I strongly feel vertical construction is the solution to eradicate homeless problems.

Firstly, tall buildings accommodates more individuals in a small space. This preserve enough space for other creatures and also agriculture. In Zimbabwe most of the farms are being converted into residential areas due to horizontal expantion. This might lead to food shortages in the long run. Additionally, building tall apartments saves on fuel. When people are conentrated in a space, all the services are also brought to that area. As a result, there is less movement of cars and less increase in global warming.

In conclusion, building tall buildings is the solution to home problems because it accommodate more people and leave more space other organisms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear: you strongly support tall apartment blocks, and you address the central issue of providing homes in large cities. The response gives relevant reasons, especially preserving land for agriculture and reducing travel and fuel use, and the Zimbabwe examples help make the discussion concrete. The opening also acknowledges disadvantages, including crowding and limited space for children, before returning to your view. However, these counterpoints are not fully reconciled with your claim that vertical construction is the solution, and some claims—such as disease outbreaks being linked to tall buildings—need clearer explanation or support. To develop the argument further, explain how planning and services could reduce these drawbacks and extend each main reason with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph considering disadvantages, a paragraph presenting benefits, and a conclusion. The progression from concerns about overcrowding to reasons for supporting vertical construction is generally understandable, and signposts such as “On one hand,” “Firstly,” and “Additionally” help guide the reader. At times, however, the organisation feels mechanical: “Despite all those demerits” shifts abruptly back to your position, and the relationship between the two sides could be made clearer. Some references are also imprecise, such as “those areas” and “this,” which can leave the reader unsure exactly what is being referred to. Use transitions that show the logic between points and make each paragraph’s central purpose explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “overpopulation,” “water shortages,” “horizontal expansion,” “agriculture,” and “global warming.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and some phrases show an attempt to discuss urban planning beyond basic terms. However, several collocations and word forms are inaccurate or awkward, such as “provide housing space,” “home problems,” and “less increase in global warming.” Spelling errors including “Chidren,” “expantion,” and “conentrated” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more natural combinations, such as “housing shortage,” “urban sprawl,” and “reduce greenhouse-gas emissions,” and proofread carefully. Greater precision would make the argument sound more fluent and academic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “since,” “when,” and “as a result,” and the overall meaning is usually clear. Some sentences are well controlled, such as “As a result, there is less movement of cars and less increase in global warming.” However, subject–verb agreement errors occur in several places: “Building upwards create,” “tall buildings create,” “it preserve,” and “tall buildings accommodates.” There are also issues with articles and sentence construction, for example “the solution to housing problem” and “This might lead to food shortages in the long run.” Review agreement with singular and plural subjects, and check articles in noun phrases. More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen control.

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