Addressing Homelessness in Urban Areas: IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays and Analysis

Homelessness in urban areas is a critical issue that has been gaining attention in recent years. This topic has appeared in several IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, reflecting its relevance to global social concerns. Based on the analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, it’s likely that questions related to urban homelessness will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant IELTS Writing Task 2 question and provide sample essays for different band scores.

Urban homelessness issue

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Some people believe that governments should focus on reducing homelessness in urban areas, while others think there are more pressing issues to address. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Question Analysis

This question requires you to:

1. Discuss the view that governments should prioritize reducing urban homelessness
2. Discuss the view that there are more important issues to address
3. Provide your own opinion on the matter

Remember to support your arguments with reasons and examples. The essay should be well-structured, coherent, and demonstrate a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

The issue of homelessness in urban areas has become increasingly prominent in recent years, sparking debate about whether governments should prioritize this problem over other pressing concerns. While there are valid arguments on both sides, I believe that addressing homelessness should be a top priority for urban governments.

Those who argue for prioritizing homelessness reduction point to the severe human cost of this issue. Homelessness exposes individuals to numerous health risks, both physical and mental, and can trap people in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape. Moreover, the visible presence of homeless populations in cities can lead to increased crime rates and negatively impact tourism and local businesses. By addressing homelessness, governments can improve public health, safety, and the overall quality of life for all urban residents.

On the other hand, proponents of focusing on other issues argue that problems such as education, healthcare, and economic development are more pressing. They contend that by improving these fundamental aspects of society, governments can prevent homelessness at its root causes rather than treating the symptoms. Additionally, they may argue that limited resources should be allocated to issues that affect a larger portion of the population.

While I acknowledge the importance of addressing various societal issues, I firmly believe that tackling homelessness should be a primary focus for urban governments. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, homelessness is often a result of systemic failures in multiple areas, including mental health support, affordable housing, and social services. By addressing homelessness, governments are indirectly tackling these interconnected issues. Secondly, the visible nature of homelessness in urban areas creates a sense of urgency and has a profound impact on the social fabric of cities.

In conclusion, while there are undoubtedly many important issues for governments to address, the reduction of urban homelessness should be prioritized due to its far-reaching implications for public health, safety, and social cohesion. By focusing on this issue, governments can create more livable cities and set the foundation for addressing other societal challenges.

(Word count: 329)

Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)

This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that would likely earn it a Band 8 or 9 score:

1. Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s own opinion.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas are logically sequenced, and cohesive devices are used effectively throughout.

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Complex ideas are expressed with precision.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly.

5. Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant supporting ideas and examples.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

Homelessness in cities is a big problem that some people think governments should focus on solving. However, others believe there are more important issues to deal with. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

Those who support addressing homelessness argue that it’s a serious issue affecting many people. Homeless individuals often face health problems and struggle to find jobs. Also, having many homeless people in a city can make it look unsafe and unattractive to tourists and businesses. By helping homeless people, the government can improve the city’s image and help those in need.

On the other hand, some people think there are more important problems to solve. They might say that issues like education, healthcare, or creating jobs should come first. These problems affect more people and could help prevent homelessness in the long run. They believe that with limited money, the government should focus on helping the majority of people.

In my opinion, I think reducing homelessness should be a priority for urban governments. While other issues are also important, homelessness is a visible problem that affects the whole community. By helping homeless people, we can improve public health, safety, and the overall quality of life in cities. It’s also a way to address multiple issues at once, as homelessness is often connected to problems with mental health, affordable housing, and job opportunities.

To conclude, although there are many important issues for governments to address, I believe that tackling homelessness in urban areas should be a top priority. It’s a problem that affects both individuals and the entire community, and solving it can lead to improvements in many aspects of city life.

(Word count: 282)

Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)

This essay demonstrates good qualities that would likely earn it a Band 6 or 7 score:

1. Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and stating the writer’s opinion.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas are logically sequenced, though cohesive devices could be used more effectively.

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses a sufficient range of vocabulary, though it lacks the sophistication of higher band scores. Some repetition is present.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, though there are some minor errors.

5. Development of Ideas: Main points are supported, but the development could be more thorough and sophisticated.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Homelessness (noun) – /ˈhoʊm.ləs.nəs/ – The state of having no home
2. Urban (adjective) – /ˈɜː.bən/ – Related to towns and cities
3. Prioritize (verb) – /praɪˈɒr.ə.taɪz/ – To treat something as more important than other things
4. Cycle of poverty (noun phrase) – A set of factors or events by which poverty, once started, is likely to continue unless there is outside intervention
5. Systemic (adjective) – /sɪˈstem.ɪk/ – Relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part
6. Affordable housing (noun phrase) – Housing that is deemed affordable to those with a median household income
7. Social cohesion (noun phrase) – The willingness of members of a society to cooperate with each other in order to survive and prosper
8. Public health (noun phrase) – The health of the population as a whole, especially as monitored, regulated, and promoted by the state
9. Quality of life (noun phrase) – The standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual or group
10. Interconnected (adjective) – /ˌɪn.tə.kəˈnek.tɪd/ – Having different parts or elements connected or related to one another

In conclusion, addressing homelessness in urban areas is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and balanced argumentation in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. By understanding the different perspectives and using appropriate vocabulary and structures, you can craft a well-reasoned response to this type of question.

To further practice your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:

• The role of non-governmental organizations in addressing urban homelessness
• The impact of affordable housing policies on reducing homelessness
• The relationship between mental health support and homelessness rates in cities

Remember to post your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.