The topic of rising housing costs and its impact on urban living is increasingly relevant in today’s IELTS examinations. This issue has appeared in various forms in recent years, reflecting its growing importance in global urban development. As cities continue to expand and evolve, it’s highly likely that questions related to housing affordability and urban planning will feature prominently in future IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts.

Based on recent trends, we can expect to see questions that address various aspects of this topic, such as government policies to manage housing costs, the socio-economic impacts of expensive urban housing, or potential solutions to the housing crisis. Let’s examine one such question that encapsulates these themes:

In many cities, the cost of housing has increased significantly, making it difficult for many people to afford a place to live. What problems does this cause? What can be done to address this issue?

Analyzing the Question

This question is a classic example of a problem-solution essay. It consists of two parts:

1. Identifying the problems caused by rising housing costs
2. Proposing solutions to address these issues

To effectively answer this question, candidates should:

• Discuss at least 2-3 major problems resulting from high housing costs
• Suggest 2-3 viable solutions to tackle these issues
• Provide relevant examples to support their arguments
• Ensure a balanced discussion of both problems and solutions

Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-band response.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

The soaring cost of housing in urban areas has become a pressing concern worldwide, leading to a myriad of social and economic challenges. This essay will explore the problems stemming from this issue and propose potential solutions to mitigate its impact.

The escalating housing prices in cities pose several significant problems. Firstly, it exacerbates social inequality, as lower-income groups are pushed to the periphery of cities or forced into substandard living conditions. This spatial segregation can lead to the formation of urban ghettos, increasing crime rates and social tension. Secondly, unaffordable housing places immense financial stress on individuals and families, often resulting in reduced spending on essential needs such as healthcare and education. This not only affects the quality of life but also hampers social mobility. Lastly, high housing costs can stifle economic growth by discouraging talented professionals from moving to urban centers, thereby limiting the pool of skilled workers available to businesses.

To address these issues, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. One solution is for governments to implement stricter regulations on property speculation and foreign investment in the housing market. This could involve imposing higher taxes on second homes or vacant properties, discouraging the use of housing as a mere investment vehicle. Additionally, local authorities should prioritize the development of affordable housing through public-private partnerships. This could include offering incentives to developers who allocate a certain percentage of their projects to affordable units. Furthermore, investing in efficient public transportation systems can make suburban and peripheral areas more accessible, thus expanding the viable housing options for urban workers.

In conclusion, the rising cost of urban housing presents complex challenges that require coordinated efforts from governments, urban planners, and the private sector. By implementing a combination of regulatory measures, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and improving urban infrastructure, it is possible to create more inclusive and sustainable cities for the future.

[Word count: 309]

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates several qualities of a high-band (8-9) response:

1. Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing multiple problems and solutions in detail.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas are logically sequenced and effectively linked using cohesive devices (e.g., “Firstly”, “Secondly”, “Lastly”, “Additionally”).

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “exacerbates”, “periphery”, “spatial segregation”, “multi-faceted approach”).

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly (e.g., complex sentences, passive voice, conditional statements).

5. Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with explanations and examples, showing depth of analysis.

Urban housing crisis illustration

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The increasing cost of housing in cities is a big problem for many people. This essay will discuss the problems this causes and suggest some solutions.

One of the main problems of expensive housing is that many people can’t afford to live in cities anymore. This means they have to move far away from their jobs and spend a lot of time and money commuting. Also, high housing costs mean people have less money to spend on other important things like food, healthcare, and education. This can lower their quality of life.

Another issue is that expensive housing can lead to overcrowding. When people can’t afford their own place, they might have to share small apartments with many others. This can cause stress and health problems.

To solve these problems, governments need to take action. One solution could be to build more affordable housing. The government could give incentives to construction companies to build cheaper homes. Another idea is to put limits on how much landlords can increase rent each year. This would help keep housing costs more stable.

Additionally, improving public transportation could help. If it’s easier and cheaper for people to travel from the suburbs to the city, they might be more willing to live further away where housing is less expensive.

In conclusion, the high cost of housing in cities causes many problems for people, but there are ways to address this issue. Governments and city planners need to work together to find solutions that make housing more affordable for everyone.

[Word count: 253]

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates qualities of a Band 6-7 response:

1. Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task, discussing problems and solutions, but with less depth and fewer details compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (e.g., “One of the main problems”, “Another issue”, “Also”).

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate but less varied and precise compared to the higher band essay (e.g., “big problem”, “a lot of time and money”).

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control, but lacks the flexibility and range of the Band 8-9 essay.

5. Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant and supported, but with less elaboration and fewer specific examples compared to the higher band essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Affordable housing (noun phrase) – /əˈfɔːrdəbl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ – Housing that is deemed affordable to those with a median household income

2. Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt/ – To make a problem or bad situation worse

3. Spatial segregation (noun phrase) – /ˈspeɪʃəl ˌseɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/ – The physical separation of two or more groups into different neighborhoods

4. Stifle (verb) – /ˈstaɪfəl/ – To prevent or constrain; to stop something from happening

5. Multi-faceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ – Having many different aspects or features

6. Incentive (noun) – /ɪnˈsentɪv/ – Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something

7. Speculation (noun) – /ˌspekjuˈleɪʃən/ – The buying of something, especially property or stocks, hoping to sell them at a higher price later

8. Periphery (noun) – /pəˈrɪfəri/ – The outer limits or edge of an area or object

9. Substandard (adjective) – /sʌbˈstændərd/ – Below the usual or required standard

10. Social mobility (noun phrase) – /ˈsəʊʃəl məʊˈbɪləti/ – The ability of individuals or groups to move upward or downward in status based on wealth, occupation, education, or other social variables

Conclusion

The topic of rising housing costs and urban living continues to be a crucial issue in IELTS Writing Task 2. As demonstrated in the sample essays, this subject allows for rich discussion of problems and solutions, making it an excellent opportunity for candidates to showcase their analytical and language skills.

For future practice, consider exploring related topics such as:

• The impact of gentrification on urban communities
• The role of technology in addressing housing shortages
• Sustainable urban development and its effect on housing affordability
• The pros and cons of high-density urban living

To further improve your writing skills, try crafting your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you internalize the structures and vocabulary needed for a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response.