IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write at least 250 words.
Many cities are now turning parks and farmland into new housing developments
Is this a positive or negative development?
Sample Answer:
Nowadays, cities are increasingly turning parks and farmland into new housing developments, which has raised debate over whether this is a positive or negative development. In my opinion, this is a primarily negative development, and this essay will explain why this is the case.
Firstly, it is important to note that parks and farmland are essential for preserving the natural environment in cities. Parks provide a much-needed green area in which people can relax and escape from the stresses of city living. They also provide a home to many species of animals and plants, which would be lost if the parks were destroyed to make way for new housing. Similarly, farmland is important for providing food to the local population, and so reducing the amount of farmland available could lead to a fall in the number of local food sources.
Secondly, the construction of new housing developments requires the use of materials that can be damaging to the environment. For example, the production of cement and steel requires a large amount of energy and produces carbon dioxide, a major cause of climate change. Furthermore, the use of these materials can lead to noise pollution and air pollution in nearby residential areas, which can have a negative effect on both people’s health and their quality of life.
Finally, the construction of new housing developments can also lead to a rise in house prices in the surrounding area. This is because the increased number of houses in the area means that the demand for housing is greater than the supply, which drives up house prices. This can have a particularly negative effect on people on low incomes, as they may be unable to afford to live in the area.
In conclusion, it is clear that turning parks and farmland into new housing developments is a largely negative development. It can lead to a loss of natural habitat and a decrease in local food sources, as well as causing environmental damage and increasing house prices. For these reasons, it is important that cities consider more sustainable ways of providing new housing.