In many places, new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there. What is your opinion about this?
Sample Response
In many regions, there is an urgent demand for housingurgent need for new housing, while the only available land is oftenand often the only available land is in rural areas. While some people arguesome individuals assert that preserving the countryside is essential, I believe that constructing new homes in these areas is justified because it addressesis justified as it effectively addresses housing shortages and provides more affordable housingliving options for residents.
AOne primary reason for supporting rural housing development is the severe shortage of homes in urban centres, where overcrowding has reached a critical levelcritical levels. Major cities around the world face escalating property pricessuffer from escalating property prices, limited living spacespaces, and worsening conditions due to overpopulation. Extending residential developments into nearby rural areas would ease this pressure significantly. For instance, housing projects outside London in counties such as Kent and Surrey have successfully accommodated thousands of families, reducing urban overcrowding and enhancing living standards.
Furthermore, countryside development allows for the creation of affordable housing, which is increasingly inaccessible in urban areas due to soaring real estate prices. Many young people and families find it impossible to purchase or even rent adequate accommodation within city limits. Rural housing can offer cost-effective options, enabling more people to become homeowners or afford comfortable living spaces. For example, rural developments in Australia and Canada have enabled families to acquire spacious homes at significantly lower prices than comparable metropolitan homesat significantly lower prices compared to their metropolitan counterparts, fostering a higher quality of life.
In conclusion, although protecting rural landscapes has its merits, addressing the acute housing crisis and providing affordable residential options should be prioritised. Building homes in the countryside is a practical and necessary solution, benefiting both individuals and communities by offering accessible housing and reducing the strain on crowded urban centres.
Why this response received Band 8.5
The essay presents a consistent position and develops two distinct, relevant reasons through clear explanation and focused examples. Its organisation and language are highly controlled; the main opportunity is to engage a little more directly with the countryside-protection concern before explaining why housing need should prevail. Add that brief weighing step to make the judgement more nuanced without diluting the decisive conclusion.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The opinion is explicit throughout, and the housing-shortage and affordability arguments are fully developed with relevant support.
Briefly acknowledge one concrete cost of rural development and explain why the stated housing benefits still outweigh it.
Coherence and Cohesion
Each paragraph has a clear function, and progression from the position through two supporting reasons to the conclusion is seamless.
Use the concluding concession to connect more explicitly back to the two body reasons rather than restating them broadly.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of precise academic vocabulary is used naturally and consistently for housing, affordability, and urban pressure.
Maintain this precision while varying a few repeated terms such as ‘housing’, ‘rural’, and ‘development’ where a natural alternative exists.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex clauses and sentence patterns are handled with strong flexibility and accuracy, with only very minor local awkwardness.
Refine the comparison involving ‘metropolitan counterparts’ so its noun reference is completely explicit.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
In many places, new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there. What is your opinion about this?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.