Living in cities versus countryside has been a recurring topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in various forms since 2019. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of living in urban vs. rural areas is crucial for IELTS candidates. Let’s examine a recent test question and analyze sample responses across different band scores.
Urban vs Rural Living Comparison for IELTS Writing
Question Analysis
Some people believe that living in big cities offers more advantages than living in the countryside. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question requires your personal opinion about urban versus rural living. You should:
- Take a clear position
- Provide specific examples
- Compare both lifestyles
- Support arguments with evidence
Band 8 Sample Essay
Understanding advantages and disadvantages of living in urban areas reveals that city life offers significantly more benefits than rural living. I strongly agree with this statement for several compelling reasons.
Firstly, cities provide superior career opportunities and economic advantages. Major corporations, financial institutions, and technology companies typically establish their headquarters in urban centers, creating diverse employment options with competitive salaries. For instance, metropolitan areas like Shanghai and Mumbai offer specialized positions in finance, technology, and healthcare that are rarely available in rural regions.
Secondly, urban areas boast better infrastructure and facilities. Modern cities feature advanced healthcare systems, well-equipped educational institutions, and efficient public transportation networks. The impact of urban sprawl on rural communities shows how how urban planning can improve city living through strategic development of these essential services.
However, city living does present certain challenges. The how to address the issue of overpopulation in cities remains a significant concern, leading to higher living costs and environmental pollution. Nevertheless, these drawbacks are outweighed by the numerous advantages that urban areas offer.
In conclusion, while both environments have their merits, the superior opportunities and facilities in cities make them more advantageous places to live. The benefits of urban living significantly outweigh its drawbacks, particularly in terms of professional growth and access to modern amenities.
Modern City Life Benefits and Opportunities
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
I agree that living in big cities has more advantages than countryside living. There are several reasons for this opinion.
First, cities have many job opportunities. People can find work in different companies and businesses. For example, in my city, there are many offices and shops where people can work. The salary is also better than in villages.
Second, cities have good facilities. There are big hospitals, schools, and shopping centers. People can easily get medical treatment and education. The transport system is also better with buses and trains. This makes life more convenient.
However, city life also has some problems. The cost of living is high, and there is lots of pollution. Houses are expensive, and the air is not clean. Sometimes traffic jams make people stressed.
In conclusion, I think city life is better because it gives more chances for good jobs and better facilities, even though there are some problems.
Vocabulary Analysis
- Infrastructure (n) /ˌɪnfrəˈstrʌktʃər/ – basic physical systems of a country
- Metropolitan (adj) /ˌmetrəˈpɒlɪtən/ – relating to a large city
- Amenities (n) /əˈmiːnətiz/ – useful features or facilities
- Competitive (adj) /kəmˈpetətɪv/ – as good as or better than others
- Outweigh (v) /aʊtˈweɪ/ – to be greater or more significant than
These sample essays demonstrate different levels of writing proficiency. Try writing your own response and share it in the comments for feedback. Future IELTS topics might include specific aspects of urban development or rural preservation, so practice with various angles of this theme.
