More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone?
Sample Response
The increasing migrationincreasing trend of migration to cities reflects a desireis a result of a desire for a better life. However, city life is often associated with numerous difficulties. This essay will examine some of the challenges of living in a city and suggest ways that governments can make urban life better for everyone.
Living in a city presents several challenges, and chief among them is the highformidable cost of living. Urban areas tend to be substantially more expensive than their rural counterparts, manifesting in elevated costs for housing, food, and other essential commodities. For instance, rental prices in cities like London or New York are exorbitant, placing a heavy financial burden on residentsmaking it financially burdensome for residents. Additionally, groceries and basic amenities are also expensivethe high cost of living extends to groceries and basic amenities, posing a considerable strain on individuals and families.
An additional challenge associated with urban living is the high level of pollutionpertains to the elevated levels of pollution. The presence of pollutants emitted byfrom vehicles, industrial facilities, and various sources poses a significant risk to public health, potentially resulting in respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health problemshealth-related issues. For instance, the prevalence of noise pollution in bustling city environments, exemplified by the constant hum of traffic and urban activities, not only impedes the ability to sleep or concentrate but also contributes to heightened stress levels.
Governments can make urban life better for everyone by addressing these issues. One approach is to invest in public transportation, such as buses and trains, to reduce the number of cars on the road and decrease pollution. Governments can also provide incentives for businesses to relocate to rural areas, which can reduce overcrowding and the cost of living in cities. In addition, governments can invest in green spaces such as public parksgreen spaces and public parks to provide residents with access to nature, which has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health.
In conclusion, while city life can offer many opportunities, it is often associated with numerous challenges. The high cost of living and pollution can bothall make city life difficult. Governments can make urban life better by addressing these issues and investing in public transportation, green spaces, and walkable communities.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response's strongest feature is its thorough, well-organised treatment of urban difficulties and practical government responses, supported by precise examples and sophisticated language. Its main limitation is that a few solutions are asserted more briefly than the problems, and the conclusion introduces walkable communities without prior development. The highest priority is to explain the mechanism and feasibility of each proposed measure consistently and keep the conclusion fully aligned with the body.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both parts of the task are fully addressed through well-developed problems and relevant government measures.
Explain more explicitly how business relocation would reduce urban living costs and avoid introducing an undeveloped measure in the conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses clearly through distinct problems and solutions, with cohesive devices used effectively throughout.
Strengthen the final synthesis by referring only to measures developed in the body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys complex ideas effectively, with only occasional overly formal phrasing.
Prefer direct natural phrasing where expressions such as pertains to the elevated levels add unnecessary formality.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately and flexibly, with errors rare and non-impeding.
Refine minor preposition and modifier choices while preserving the strong variety of sentence forms.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.