IELTS Writing Task 2: Tackling the Housing Crisis in Major Cities – Sample Essays and Analysis

The housing crisis in major cities is a pressing issue that frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This topic has been a recurring theme in recent years and is likely to continue being relevant in future tests. Let’s examine a specific question related to this subject and provide sample essays to help you prepare for your IELTS writing task.

Urban Housing Crisis

Analyzing the Question

Let’s focus on the following question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:

In many cities, the high cost of housing is forcing essential workers such as teachers and nurses to move out. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?

This question addresses a specific aspect of the housing crisis – its impact on essential workers. It requires you to discuss both the problems caused by this situation and propose potential solutions. Let’s break down the key elements:

1. The issue: High cost of housing in cities
2. The affected group: Essential workers (teachers, nurses)
3. The consequence: These workers are forced to move out
4. Task 1: Discuss the problems this causes
5. Task 2: Suggest solutions

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Here’s a high-scoring sample essay that addresses all aspects of the question:

The escalating cost of urban housing has become a significant concern in many cities worldwide, particularly affecting essential workers such as educators and healthcare professionals. This essay will explore the problems arising from this situation and propose potential solutions to address this pressing issue.

The forced relocation of essential workers due to unaffordable housing presents several critical problems for urban areas. Firstly, it leads to a shortage of crucial services in city centers. When teachers and nurses are compelled to live far from their workplaces, schools and hospitals in urban areas may struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels, potentially compromising the quality of education and healthcare services. Secondly, this situation exacerbates traffic congestion and increases carbon emissions as these workers are forced to commute long distances. This not only impacts the environment but also reduces the quality of life for the workers themselves, who must spend significant time and money on transportation. Lastly, the exodus of essential workers can lead to a loss of community cohesion and diversity in urban neighborhoods, as these professionals often play vital roles in local community activities and volunteer services.

To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. One potential solution is for local governments to implement rent control policies or provide subsidized housing specifically for essential workers. This could ensure that a certain percentage of urban housing remains affordable for those in critical professions. Additionally, cities could offer financial incentives such as low-interest home loans or down payment assistance programs to help essential workers purchase homes in the areas where they work. Another approach could be to encourage mixed-use development projects that include a mandated percentage of affordable housing units alongside market-rate properties. This would not only increase the housing supply but also promote socioeconomic diversity within urban neighborhoods.

Furthermore, improving public transportation infrastructure could make it more feasible for essential workers to live in more affordable suburbs while still maintaining reasonable commute times to city centers. This could be complemented by flexible work arrangements, such as partial remote work options for teachers and certain healthcare administrative roles, reducing the need for daily commutes.

In conclusion, the housing affordability crisis for essential workers in cities poses significant challenges to urban communities and services. However, through a combination of targeted housing policies, financial assistance programs, and improvements in urban planning and transportation, it is possible to mitigate these issues and ensure that our cities remain accessible and functional for all residents, including those who provide critical services.

(Word count: 398)

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

Here’s a sample essay that would typically score in the Band 6-7 range:

In many big cities, houses are becoming too expensive for important workers like teachers and nurses to live in. This is causing them to move away from the city centers. This essay will talk about the problems this causes and some ways to fix it.

One big problem is that when teachers and nurses move away, there might not be enough of them in the city. This means schools and hospitals might not have enough staff, which can make education and healthcare worse for people living in the city. Another problem is that these workers have to travel a long way to work. This makes them tired and stressed, and it’s bad for the environment because of all the cars on the road. Also, when these workers leave, the community loses important people who often help with local activities and make the area nicer to live in.

To solve these problems, there are a few things we can do. First, the government could make some houses cheaper for teachers and nurses. They could control rent prices or build special houses that these workers can afford. Another idea is to give these workers money to help them buy houses in the city. This could be done with special loans or help with down payments.

The city could also build new houses that have both expensive and cheap apartments in the same building. This would give more people a chance to live in the city. Making public transport better could also help. If buses and trains are good, people can live further away but still get to work easily. Lastly, some jobs could let people work from home sometimes, so they don’t have to travel to the city every day.

In conclusion, when important workers can’t live in cities, it causes problems for everyone. But if we try these solutions, we can make cities better places for all people to live and work in.

(Word count: 309)

Key Considerations for Writing

When addressing this topic in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, keep the following points in mind:

1. Structure: Ensure your essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs that address both problems and solutions, and a conclusion.

2. Vocabulary: Use a range of vocabulary related to housing and urban issues. For higher band scores, incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary and phrasal verbs.

3. Grammar: Demonstrate your ability to use a variety of sentence structures. For Band 8-9, include complex sentences and advanced grammatical structures.

4. Coherence and Cohesion: Use linking words and phrases to connect your ideas smoothly. Ensure each paragraph has a clear central topic.

5. Task Response: Address all parts of the question. Discuss both problems and solutions, providing specific examples where possible.

Useful Vocabulary for This Topic

Here are some key terms and phrases that can enhance your essay on this topic:

1. Affordable housing (noun phrase): Housing that is reasonably priced for lower and middle-income residents.
   Pronunciation: /əˈfɔːrdəbl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/

2. Gentrification (noun): The process of renovating and improving a neighborhood, often resulting in an influx of more affluent residents and an increase in property values.
   Pronunciation: /ˌdʒentrɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/

3. Urban sprawl (noun phrase): The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land.
   Pronunciation: /ˈɜːrbən sprɔːl/

4. Commuter (noun): A person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis.
   Pronunciation: /kəˈmjuːtər/

5. Rent control (noun phrase): Government regulation of the amount charged for rental housing.
   Pronunciation: /rent kənˈtroʊl/

6. Mixed-use development (noun phrase): A type of urban development that blends residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or entertainment uses.
   Pronunciation: /mɪkst juːz dɪˈveləpmənt/

7. Socioeconomic diversity (noun phrase): The presence of people from various social and economic backgrounds within a community.
   Pronunciation: /ˌsoʊsioʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk daɪˈvɜːrsəti/

8. Urban planning (noun phrase): The process of designing and organizing urban spaces and infrastructure.
   Pronunciation: /ˈɜːrbən ˈplænɪŋ/

Conclusion

The housing crisis in major cities, particularly its impact on essential workers, is a complex issue that requires thoughtful analysis and creative solutions. By practicing with questions like the one we’ve explored, you can improve your ability to discuss this topic effectively in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.

Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and address all parts of the question. Consider practicing by writing your own essay on this topic and sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice can significantly enhance your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.

For further practice, you might want to explore related topics such as the challenges of affordable housing or the importance of affordable housing in urban areas. These topics can provide additional context and ideas for your essays on urban housing issues.