Urban overpopulation is a pressing issue that frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on recent trends and the significance of this global challenge, it’s highly likely that candidates will encounter this topic in future exams. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS tests and provide sample essays to help you prepare effectively.
Some people think that governments should focus on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems in cities by moving large companies and factories to the countryside. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question addresses the challenges of urban overpopulation indirectly by focusing on two major issues: environmental pollution and housing problems. It suggests a potential solution of relocating large companies and factories to rural areas. Your task is to discuss whether you agree or disagree with this approach and to what extent.
Key points to consider:
- The main problems: environmental pollution and housing issues in cities
- The proposed solution: moving large companies and factories to the countryside
- Your opinion: agree, disagree, or partially agree
- Potential impacts on both urban and rural areas
- Alternative solutions, if any
Now, let’s look at three sample essays of varying quality, representing different IELTS band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Urbanization has led to significant environmental and housing challenges in many cities worldwide. While some argue that relocating large companies and factories to rural areas could alleviate these issues, I partially agree with this approach as it may solve some problems but could potentially create new ones.
On the one hand, moving industrial facilities away from urban centers could indeed have several benefits. Firstly, it would reduce air and noise pollution in cities, improving the overall quality of life for urban residents. The reduction in industrial emissions would lead to cleaner air and potentially decrease respiratory health issues among city dwellers. Secondly, relocating large companies could free up valuable urban space, which could be repurposed for housing or green areas, addressing the pressing issue of urban housing shortages. This could potentially lead to more affordable housing options and improved urban planning.
However, this solution is not without its drawbacks. Relocating industries to rural areas could lead to environmental degradation in these regions, essentially shifting the pollution problem rather than solving it. Rural ecosystems, which are often more fragile, could suffer from increased industrial activity. Moreover, such a move could disrupt rural communities and lead to unplanned urbanization in these areas, creating new social and infrastructure challenges.
Instead of a wholesale relocation, I believe a more balanced approach is necessary. Governments should focus on implementing stricter environmental regulations for urban industries, incentivizing the adoption of cleaner technologies, and promoting sustainable urban planning. This could include investing in public transportation, encouraging remote work to reduce commuting, and developing green buildings. Additionally, policies that promote a more even distribution of economic opportunities across both urban and rural areas could naturally alleviate some of the pressures on overcrowded cities.
In conclusion, while moving large companies and factories to rural areas may offer some short-term relief to urban environmental and housing problems, it is not a comprehensive solution. A multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of urban overpopulation and promotes sustainable development in both urban and rural areas is more likely to yield long-term positive results.
(Word count: 329)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that align with Band 8-9 criteria:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a nuanced view (partial agreement). It discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed solution and offers alternative approaches.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic, and ideas are logically sequenced. Cohesive devices are used effectively but not overused.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is sophisticated and precise, with a wide range of less common words and phrases used accurately (e.g., “unplanned urbanization,” “multifaceted approach,” “root causes”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex structures used accurately. There is a good mix of complex and simple sentences, with no noticeable errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations. The essay goes beyond simple statements to provide in-depth analysis of the issue.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The problems of pollution and housing in big cities are becoming more serious every day. Some people think that moving big companies and factories to the countryside is a good solution. I partly agree with this idea because it has both good and bad points.
Moving factories out of cities can help reduce pollution. When factories are far from cities, the air in cities will be cleaner and people will be healthier. Also, if big companies move away, there will be more space in cities. This space can be used to build houses or make parks, which can help solve the housing problem and make cities nicer places to live.
However, moving companies and factories to the countryside can also cause problems. It might create pollution in rural areas, which could harm the environment and the people living there. Also, many workers might lose their jobs or have to move, which could be difficult for them and their families.
I think there are other ways to solve these problems. Governments can make stricter rules about pollution and encourage companies to use cleaner technology. They can also build more affordable houses in cities and improve public transport. These solutions can help reduce pollution and housing problems without moving everything to the countryside.
In conclusion, while moving factories and companies to rural areas might help solve some problems in cities, it’s not a perfect solution. I believe a mix of different approaches is needed to tackle the issues of pollution and housing in urban areas effectively.
(Word count: 261)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates qualities that align with Band 6-7 criteria:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task and presents a clear position (partial agreement). It discusses both positive and negative aspects of the proposal and offers some alternatives.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with a clear overall progression. Each paragraph has a central topic, though the development within paragraphs could be more thorough.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempts at less common words. However, the range is more limited compared to the Band 8-9 essay, and there’s less precision in word choice.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, generally with good control. There are no major errors that impede communication, but the range of structures is less varied than in higher band essays.
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Development of Ideas: Main points are relevant and supported with some explanation, but the ideas could be developed more fully with more specific examples or deeper analysis.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowdays, cities have many problems like pollution and not enough houses. Some people say big companies and factories should move to countryside. I agree with this idea because it can help cities.
First, if factories move away, cities will be less polluted. The air will be cleaner and people can breathe better. This is good for health of people in cities. Also, when big companies leave, there will be more space in cities. This space can be used to build more houses. So, it can help with housing problem too.
But, moving factories to countryside might be difficult. Workers may need to move or find new jobs. This can be hard for them. Also, countryside might get polluted if factories move there. This is not good for nature and animals.
I think government should help companies move slowly. They should also make rules to keep countryside clean. Maybe they can build new houses in cities too.
In conclusion, moving big companies and factories to countryside can help with pollution and housing in cities. But it must be done carefully to not cause new problems.
(Word count: 179)
Essay Analysis (Band 5-6)
This essay demonstrates qualities that align with Band 5-6 criteria:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the main task, presenting a clear position (agreement). However, the response is underdeveloped, lacking in-depth discussion of alternatives or potential drawbacks.
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Coherence and Cohesion: There is a basic organizational structure, but the progression of ideas is not always clear. Paragraphing is present, but the development within paragraphs is limited.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with mostly common words used. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are not always successful or precise.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay relies heavily on simple sentence structures with limited use of complex sentences. There are some grammatical errors, but they don’t significantly impede communication.
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Development of Ideas: Main points are present but underdeveloped. The essay lacks specific examples and detailed explanations to support the ideas presented.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Urbanization (noun) – /ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ – the process of more people living in cities
- Environmental degradation (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃən/ – the deterioration of the environment
- Sustainable development (noun phrase) – /səˈsteɪnəbl dɪˈveləpmənt/ – development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – basic physical structures needed for society to function
- Multifaceted approach (noun phrase) – /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd əˈprəʊtʃ/ – a strategy that considers many different aspects of a problem
- Incentivize (verb) – /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – to encourage or motivate with rewards
- Residential areas (noun phrase) – /ˌrezɪˈdenʃl ˈeəriəz/ – parts of a town where people live
- Urban planning (noun phrase) – /ˈɜːbən ˈplænɪŋ/ – the process of designing and organizing urban areas
- Quality of life (noun phrase) – /ˈkwɒləti əv laɪf/ – the standard of health, comfort, and happiness of an individual or group
- Ecosystem (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/ – a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
Conclusion
Addressing the challenges of urban overpopulation is a complex task that requires careful consideration of various factors. As we’ve seen from the sample essays, there are multiple approaches to tackling this issue, each with its own merits and drawbacks. To prepare for potential IELTS Writing Task 2 questions on this topic, consider practicing with prompts such as:
- “Some people believe that governments should impose restrictions on the number of people allowed to live in major cities. Do you agree or disagree?”
- “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of creating new, planned cities to address urban overpopulation.”
- “To what extent can technology solve the problems associated with overcrowded cities?”
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about having good ideas, but also about expressing them clearly, coherently, and with a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Practice writing essays on these topics, timing yourself to ensure you can complete the task within the allocated 40 minutes. Don’t forget to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with fellow IELTS aspirants!