Many people prefer to live in small towns while others prefer to live in big cities. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small town and in a big city? Where would you prefer to live?
Sample Response
Nowadays, many young people want to live in a big city. They think living in big cities will give them big opportunities to get a better education and job. However, some other people like to live in a small town that is less crowded than big cities. On the one hand, living in a big city is not a bad idea. In big cities, there are a number of popular schools which has not only good teachers but also good facilities to educate young generation. Furthermore, when children grow up and want to find a job, they have a better chance to get a job they want. For example, if there are two people looking for a job in a company, the employee will consider the one who graduated from a popular school in a big city rather than the other one who graduated from an ordinary school in a small town. On the other hand, big cities are very crowded and more crimes occur in big cities. In addition, small towns are less polluted than big cities, so people can enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fresh air there. If the children want to get a degree or a job in cities, they can study or work there while living in a small town. For instance, if I want to work in a big city, I can work there on weekdays and enjoy my weekend at my home in a small town. To sum up, in my opinion living in a small town is better than living in a big city. Even though big cities are better in some aspects, small towns still are the best place to live for me.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Natural collocation Original: big opportunities Suggested revision: greater opportunities Why it matters: Greater is the natural comparative adjective.
- 2. Agreement Original: schools which has Suggested revision: schools which have Why it matters: The plural subject takes have.
- 3. Missing article Original: educate young generation Suggested revision: educate the younger generation Why it matters: The noun phrase needs the definite article.
- 4. Wrong role Original: the employee will consider Suggested revision: the employer may prefer Why it matters: An employer makes a hiring decision.
- 5. Uncountable noun Original: more crimes occur Suggested revision: crime rates are higher Why it matters: This is a more natural general comparison.
- 6. Mixed focus Original: On the other hand Suggested revision: Despite these benefits Why it matters: The following sentence first gives city disadvantages, not a wholly opposite topic.
- 7. Comma needed Original: in my opinion living Suggested revision: in my opinion, living Why it matters: Set off the introductory phrase with a comma.
- 8. Adverb placement Original: small towns still are Suggested revision: small towns are still Why it matters: Still normally follows the verb be.
- 9. General singular Original: living in big cities will give Suggested revision: living in a big city can give Why it matters: A singular representative noun is more consistent with the prompt's comparison.
- 10. Concise quantity Original: a number of popular Suggested revision: many well-regarded Why it matters: This is more concise and expresses educational reputation precisely.
- 11. Specific facilities Original: good facilities Suggested revision: well-equipped facilities Why it matters: The revision is more precise and less repetitive.
- 12. Employment collocation Original: get a job they want Suggested revision: secure suitable employment Why it matters: This is a more concise academic phrase.
Suggested Rewrites
- big opportunities greater opportunities
- schools which has schools which have
- educate young generation educate the younger generation
- the employee will consider the employer may prefer
- more crimes occur crime rates are higher
- On the other hand Despite these benefits
Why this response received Band 6.0
The essay presents a clear preference for small-town life and identifies relevant contrasts involving education, employment, congestion, crime, pollution and scenery. Its organisation is easy to follow, but the advantages and disadvantages of each location are not developed evenly, and one employment example is questionable. Add balanced, specific support for both settings and correct recurring agreement and article errors.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
All parts are addressed, though coverage is uneven and some claims are simplistic.
Develop at least one advantage and disadvantage for each location before stating the preference.
Coherence and Cohesion
The contrast markers create a clear basic progression, but paragraphing is not visible.
Organise one body paragraph around cities and another around small towns.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is adequate but repetitive and occasionally imprecise.
Use employment prospects, amenities, congestion, cost of living and environment.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Meaning remains clear despite regular agreement, article and comparative errors.
Check subject-verb agreement and articles around singular count nouns.