IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write at least 250 words.
Around the world more and more people today are living in urban areas
Why is this?
What problems does this cause?
Sample Answer:
The world’s population is gradually migrating to urban areas, and this trend shows no signs of abating. This essay will discuss the reasons for this phenomenon and will outline some of the issues it has created.
One obvious reason for the rise in urban living is the availability of employment opportunities. As the global economy shifts away from manual labour and towards service-based industries, cities offer more jobs than rural areas. This includes a wide range of administrative, retail and professional positions, and since cities are the primary centres for these industries, it is no surprise that people are relocating to urban centres to take advantage of the employment opportunities.
Another factor is the increased access to technology and services. Urban areas typically have better infrastructure when it comes to telecommunications and internet access. This means that people can use digital services to access information and resources, which is essential in the modern world. Additionally, cities offer a greater range of cultural and leisure activities than rural areas, which is particularly attractive to younger generations.
However, this shift towards urban living has created a range of problems. The most significant of these is overcrowding. As more and more people flock to cities, the infrastructure and housing become overwhelmed, leading to congestion and sky-rocketing housing prices. Furthermore, the overcrowding can result in poorer air and water quality, which can have serious health implications.
Another issue is social isolation. Urban living can be a lonely experience, and this is particularly true for those who are not able to connect with their local community. Additionally, urban areas tend to be more expensive than rural areas, so people on low incomes may struggle to access basic services.
To conclude, it is clear that the trend of people migrating to cities is unlikely to change any time soon. While it offers more employment opportunities and better access to technology and services, it has created a range of problems such as overcrowding and social isolation. Governments and local authorities must work together to ensure that the transition to urban living is managed in a sustainable way.