Affordable housing is a critical issue that has been gaining attention in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it has become a popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. The importance of government intervention in affordable housing is a subject that frequently appears in IELTS exams, making it essential for test-takers to be well-prepared. Based on our analysis of past exam questions and current trends, we expect this topic to continue appearing in future tests with high frequency.
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this subject and provide sample essays for different band scores, along with detailed analysis to help you improve your writing skills.
Analyzing the Task 2 Question
Some people believe that governments should be responsible for providing affordable housing to all citizens. Others think it should be left to the private sector. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question is asking you to:
- Discuss the view that governments should provide affordable housing
- Discuss the view that the private sector should handle affordable housing
- Give your own opinion on the matter
Remember to address all parts of the question in your response. Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Level
Housing affordability is a pressing issue in many countries, and there is ongoing debate about whether the government or the private sector should take responsibility for providing affordable housing. While both sides have merits, I believe that a collaborative approach between the government and private sector is the most effective solution.
Those who advocate for government intervention argue that housing is a basic human right, and therefore, it is the state’s responsibility to ensure all citizens have access to affordable housing. Governments have the power to implement policies and regulations that can make housing more accessible, such as rent control, subsidies, and public housing projects. Moreover, government involvement can ensure that affordable housing is distributed fairly and reaches those most in need, rather than being subject to market forces that may prioritize profit over social welfare.
On the other hand, proponents of private sector involvement contend that market forces are more efficient in meeting housing demands. They argue that private companies can innovate and adapt more quickly to changing needs, potentially leading to more diverse and cost-effective housing solutions. Additionally, private sector involvement can reduce the financial burden on governments, allowing them to allocate resources to other pressing social issues.
In my opinion, the most effective approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis is through a partnership between the government and private sector. Governments can provide the necessary framework, incentives, and regulations to encourage private sector investment in affordable housing, while also maintaining oversight to ensure fair distribution and quality standards. For instance, governments could offer tax incentives to developers who include a certain percentage of affordable units in their projects or streamline approval processes for affordable housing developments.
This collaborative approach can leverage the strengths of both sectors: the government’s ability to implement broad policies and ensure social equity, and the private sector’s capacity for innovation and efficient resource allocation. By working together, they can create a more comprehensive and sustainable solution to the affordable housing challenge.
In conclusion, while both government intervention and private sector involvement have their merits in addressing affordable housing, I believe that a balanced approach combining the strengths of both is the most effective way forward. This collaborative model can help ensure that affordable housing is not only available but also sustainable and responsive to the diverse needs of communities.
Government and Private Sector Collaboration
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that justify a high band score:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “In conclusion”).
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “pressing issue”, “collaborative approach”, “prioritize profit over social welfare”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately.
Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Level
The issue of affordable housing is important in many countries. Some people think the government should provide affordable housing, while others believe it should be the job of private companies. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
There are good reasons why the government should be responsible for affordable housing. First, the government has the power to make laws and policies that can help make housing cheaper. They can also use tax money to build houses for people who can’t afford to buy or rent at market prices. This can help make sure everyone has a place to live, which is important for a fair society.
However, some people think private companies should handle affordable housing. They say that businesses are better at building houses efficiently and can do it for less money. Private companies might also be able to come up with new ideas for affordable housing that the government might not think of.
In my opinion, I think both the government and private companies should work together on affordable housing. The government can make rules and give money to help, while private companies can build the houses and come up with new ideas. This way, we can use the strengths of both to solve the problem.
For example, the government could give tax breaks to companies that build affordable houses, or they could make it easier for these companies to get permission to build. This would encourage more private companies to get involved in affordable housing projects.
In conclusion, while both the government and private sector have roles to play in providing affordable housing, I believe a combination of both approaches would be most effective. By working together, they can create better solutions for the housing problem and help more people find homes they can afford.
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good qualities that justify a band score of 6-7:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the question, though the discussion of each view is less developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (e.g., frequent use of “First”, “However”, “For example”).
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate but less varied and sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good accuracy, though there’s less variety compared to the higher band essay.
Development of Ideas: Main points are supported with reasons and examples, but the development is less thorough than in the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Affordable housing (noun) – /əˈfɔːrdəbl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ – Housing that is deemed affordable to those with a median household income
- Government intervention (noun) – /ˈɡʌvənmənt ˌɪntəˈvenʃn/ – Action taken by a government to affect a particular economic or social outcome
- Private sector (noun) – /ˈpraɪvɪt ˈsektə/ – The part of the economy that is run by individuals and companies for profit
- Subsidies (noun) – /ˈsʌbsɪdiz/ – Money granted by the government to assist an industry or business
- Rent control (noun) – /rent kənˈtrəʊl/ – Government regulation of the amount charged as rent for housing
- Market forces (noun) – /ˈmɑːkɪt ˈfɔːsɪz/ – The economic factors affecting the price, demand, and availability of a commodity
- Tax incentives (noun) – /tæks ɪnˈsentɪvz/ – A government measure that reduces tax for businesses to encourage economic activity
- Collaborative approach (noun) – /kəˈlæbərətɪv əˈprəʊtʃ/ – A method of working together to achieve a common goal
- Social equity (noun) – /ˈsəʊʃl ˈekwɪti/ – Fairness in the distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society
- Sustainable solution (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbl səˈluːʃn/ – A solution that can be maintained at a certain level without exhausting natural resources or causing ecological damage
Conclusion
The topic of government intervention in affordable housing is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of urban planning in creating affordable housing
- The impact of foreign investment on local housing markets
- Balancing environmental concerns with the need for affordable housing
- The effects of gentrification on low-income communities
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is practice. Try writing your own essay on the question provided in this article and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.