In many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

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Sample Response

1

In many parts of the world, there has been a significant redistribution of populationa significant shift in population as people from rural areas move to cities. This phenomenon has led to a decline in the rural population, raising concerns about its impact on both urban and rural communities. However, I believe this is a positive development because it promotesenhances economic growth and provides individuals with better access to essential services and opportunities.

2

One major advantage of rural-to-urban migration is its contribution to economic progress. Cities serve as economic hubs that provide a diverse range of job opportunitiesprovide diverse job opportunities, allowing individuals to earn higher wagessecure better wages and raiseimprove their standard of living. This migration helps industries grow by expanding the available workforcesupplying a larger workforce, thereby boosting productivity and innovationboosting productivity and innovation. For instance, countries like China have experienced significant economic expansion as rural populations have moveddue to rural populations moving to urban areas to work in the manufacturing and technology sectors. This urban migrationThis transformation has not only reduced poverty but also strengthened national economies.

3

Another significant benefit is that urban areas offer improved access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. In rural regions, many people struggle to accessobtain quality medical treatment or higher education due to limited resources and facilities. By moving to cities, they can access better healthcarehospitals, universities, and public services, ultimately improving their quality of life. For example, in developing nations, rural students who migrate to cities for education often gain better career prospects, leading to upward social mobility and improved living standards for their families.

4

In conclusion, the migration of rural populations to cities is a positive development as it drives economic growth and enhances access to essential services. Encouraging this trend can lead to greater prosperity, for both individuals and society as a wholeboth for individuals and society as a whole.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 8.0

The response is strongest in its clear, sustained position and logically developed explanation of economic and service-related benefits, with relevant examples supporting each point. Its main limitation is that the examples and claims are somewhat general and give limited attention to how countryside depopulation itself affects the overall judgement. The highest-priority improvement is to deepen the evaluation by acknowledging that dimension and explaining why the benefits still outweigh it.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

8.0
Scoring rule

The essay directly answers the question, maintains a clear positive position, and develops two relevant benefits with supporting examples.

Next step

Add a brief evaluation of the consequences of countryside depopulation to make the positive judgement more comprehensive.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

8.0
Scoring rule

Information is sequenced clearly, with focused paragraphs and cohesive devices that guide the reader without disrupting progression.

Next step

Vary the opening links between supporting points so the progression feels less formulaic while remaining explicit.

LR

Lexical Resource

8.0
Scoring rule

Vocabulary is varied, precise, and appropriate for the topic, with effective control of economic and social terminology.

Next step

Replace a few broad stock phrases with more specific wording that conveys the exact mechanism or scale of each benefit.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

8.0
Scoring rule

The response uses varied complex sentences with strong control, and errors are rare enough not to affect clarity.

Next step

Continue refining punctuation in longer sentences to keep the relationships between multiple clauses immediately clear.