Some cities create new housing for their growing populations by constructing a smaller number of high-rise buildings. Other cities create more of low-rise buildings. Which solution is better, in your opinion?
Sample Response
Sample Essay
Rising population in urban areas leaves governments with no choice but to build more houses to meet the demand. However, when it comes to construction, there is more than one way to build new homes. Some cities prefer to construct fewer residential towers, while others build a larger number of low-rises for their residents. In this essay both options will be discussed and a viable solution will be suggested.
One advantage of tall buildings is that they can accommodate a large number of people while having a small footprint. This type of construction is popular in central city areas where land is scarce and expensive. For example, in New York City high-rise buildings have significantly reduced housing problems, by as much as 55% in the last few years. As a result of this strategy, rents tend to decrease which has a further positive impact on the economies of such cities. However, tall buildings offer little or no privacy, they force certain rules and regulations upon residents, and attract higher maintenance costs.
Given a chance to voice their opinion, many individuals would prefer to live in low-rise buildings or even build their own houses. This option might be more attractive for big families and for older generation people who like to have their own personal space. Accessibility is also a concern for the elderly as taking the stairs when the lifts break down may not be an option for them. In addition, one or two-story houses are easier and cheaper to maintain compared to modern apartment towers. The downside of this type of dwellings is that they occupy much more land, and since land is cheaper on city fringes, new estates tend to be built away from city centres. This increases commute time to work for their residents and negatively affects their quality of life.
In conclusion, high-rise and low-rise buildings have their unique advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, high rises are more suitable for younger residents and should be built in the areas where young population is prevalent, closer to the city centre and employment opportunities. Senior citizens should have a supply of lower dwellings available in quieter locations. Such flexible approach can be a good way to address the needs of growing city’s population.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Add an article Original: Rising population Suggested revision: A rising population Why it matters: The singular countable noun phrase needs an article.
- 2. Add introductory comma Original: In this essay both Suggested revision: In this essay, both Why it matters: A comma should separate the introductory phrase from the main clause.
- 3. Remove misplaced comma Original: reduced housing problems, by Suggested revision: reduced housing problems by Why it matters: The comma incorrectly separates the verb phrase from the modifying by-phrase.
- 4. Add relative-clause comma Original: rents tend to decrease which Suggested revision: rents tend to decrease, which Why it matters: The non-defining relative clause needs a preceding comma.
- 5. Use formal collocation Original: big Suggested revision: large Why it matters: Large families is the more natural formal collocation.
- 6. Use natural expression Original: older generation people Suggested revision: older people Why it matters: The original noun phrase is awkward and unnecessarily wordy.
- 7. Complete the comparison Original: compared to modern apartment towers Suggested revision: than modern apartment towers Why it matters: Than fits the comparative structure created by easier and cheaper.
- 8. Match singular noun Original: dwellings Suggested revision: dwelling Why it matters: The noun after type of should be singular in this construction.
- 9. Add article Original: where young population is prevalent Suggested revision: where the young population is concentrated Why it matters: Population needs an article here, and concentrated is a more natural description of distribution.
- 10. Add an article Original: Such flexible approach Suggested revision: Such a flexible approach Why it matters: The singular countable noun approach requires an article.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: However, tall buildings offer little or no privacy, they force certain rules and regulations upon residents, and attract higher maintenance costs. Suggested revision: However, tall buildings offer little or no privacy, impose certain rules and regulations on residents, and incur higher maintenance costs. Why it matters: The rewrite removes the comma splice and gives the coordinated list a consistent grammatical structure.
Suggested Rewrites
- Rising population A rising population
- In this essay both In this essay, both
- reduced housing problems, by reduced housing problems by
- rents tend to decrease which rents tend to decrease, which
- big large
- older generation people older people
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its balanced, well-organised comparison, using relevant consequences for land use, affordability, accessibility, and commuting to support a nuanced recommendation. The main limitation is occasional awkward phrasing and article or agreement errors, alongside a somewhat unsupported numerical example. The highest-priority improvement is to sharpen the final comparison by stating more explicitly why the proposed mixed solution is preferable overall, while polishing minor language slips.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response examines both housing models in depth and presents a clear, relevant mixed solution tailored to different residents.
Make the comparative judgement even more explicit by explaining why the mixed approach is superior to choosing either model alone.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is logically sequenced into focused paragraphs, with clear progression and well-managed links between advantages, drawbacks, and the recommendation.
Refine a few long sentences so contrasting points remain fully controlled without comma-heavy coordination.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and flexible across housing, economics, accessibility, and urban planning, with only occasional awkward choices.
Polish less natural phrases such as references to older residents and lower dwellings while retaining the existing range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide variety of complex structures is used accurately, with minor article, agreement, and punctuation slips that do not impede communication.
Proofread for omitted articles, noun agreement, and comma splices in otherwise sophisticated sentences.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some cities create new housing for their growing populations by constructing a smaller number of high-rise buildings. Other cities create more of low-rise buildings. Which solution is better, in your opinion?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.