IELTS Writing Task 2: Multigenerational Households (Two-Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Many people today live in extended families in which there are grandparents, parents, and children living together. Do you think this trend is positive or negative? Give your opinion and relevant examples from your own experiences.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

In some countries, it is common to see extended families living together. Some people think this is a good thing, but I think it has more negative effects.

First of all, living with many people can cause stress. For example, in my country, families often argue about money and chores. My uncle's family had a big fight because my aunt wanted to spend money on a new car, but my uncle said they should save it. This kind of problem is common in extended families.

Second, people do not have enough privacy. My friend's grandmother lives with them, and she always asks my friend's parents what they are doing. My friend says this makes him feel uncomfortable. In my opinion, everyone needs their own space.

In conclusion, I think living in extended families is not a good idea. It can cause stress and there is not enough privacy.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but lacks development and support.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are organized but transitions are basic.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with frequent errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Contains some errors that may hinder understanding.

Band 7.0 Answer

The trend of multigenerational households is becoming more popular. While this living arrangement has its advantages, I believe the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

On the positive side, living together can save money. For instance, my cousin's family shares the rent and utilities, which helps them financially. Additionally, grandparents can help take care of the children, giving parents more time to work.

However, there are significant downsides. One major issue is the lack of personal space. In my experience, living with extended family means there is always someone around, making it difficult to have privacy. Moreover, constant proximity can lead to conflicts. My aunt and her mother-in-law often argue about household decisions, creating tension in the home.

In conclusion, while multigenerational households can offer financial and childcare benefits, the lack of privacy and potential for conflict make this living arrangement less desirable.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with some relevant, extended ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but may occasionally lapse into less clear relationships.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some less common items, though with occasional errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with occasional errors that may obscure meaning.

Band 8.0 Answer

The rise of multigenerational households has become a notable societal phenomenon. While this living arrangement offers certain benefits, I contend that the negative aspects are more pronounced.

One of the primary advantages of multigenerational households is the financial relief they provide. Shared living expenses can significantly reduce the financial burden on individual family members. For example, my neighbor's family of six shares a large home, enabling them to split costs and live comfortably. Additionally, elderly family members can offer invaluable childcare support, allowing parents to pursue their careers without the constant worry of childcare arrangements.

Nevertheless, the drawbacks are substantial. Privacy is often compromised in such settings. My own experience living with extended family has shown me that personal space is a luxury that is frequently sacrificed. Furthermore, the potential for interpersonal conflicts is heightened. My cousin's family, for instance, experienced ongoing tension between generations over differing opinions on household management and lifestyle choices.

In conclusion, while multigenerational households can alleviate financial pressures and provide childcare support, the erosion of privacy and the heightened risk of conflict render this living arrangement less appealing.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position throughout and extends and supports ideas with appropriate, relevant, and succinct examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some unnecessary repetition or slight under- or over-use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, though there may be occasional errors in word choice or collocation.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences, though there may be some errors that may cause some difficulty for the reader.

Band 9.0 Answer

The proliferation of multigenerational households has become an increasingly prevalent trend in contemporary society. While this living arrangement presents certain advantages, I firmly believe that the attendant drawbacks render it an undesirable option for many.

The most compelling benefit of multigenerational living is the financial resilience it engenders. By pooling resources, families can mitigate the economic strains that plague many households. My uncle's family, for instance, has successfully navigated financial instability by sharing living expenses, thereby ensuring a higher standard of living. Moreover, the presence of grandparents can provide indispensable childcare, enabling parents to maintain their professional commitments without compromising their children's well-being.

However, the downsides are manifold. The erosion of personal privacy is a significant concern. In my own experience, living with extended family has often felt like an invasion of personal space, with little opportunity for solitude or individuality. Additionally, the potential for interpersonal discord is exacerbated in such close-quarters living. My friend's family, for example, has faced recurring conflicts stemming from generational differences in values and lifestyle preferences.

In conclusion, while multigenerational households offer tangible financial and childcare benefits, the compromises in privacy and the heightened risk of familial strife ultimately render this living arrangement less attractive.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position throughout and extends and supports ideas with relevant, fully extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention, with a range of cohesive devices used appropriately.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated collocation, though there may be occasional errors in word choice.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences, though there may be occasional errors that may cause some difficulty for the reader.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Proliferation (noun) - Rapid increase in the number or amount of something.

• Example: The proliferation of smartphones has changed the way we communicate.

1. Prevailing (adjective) - Generally accepted or most common.

• Example: The prevailing wisdom is that exercise is beneficial for health.

1. Mitigate (verb) - To make less severe or serious.

• Example: Regular exercise can mitigate the risks of heart disease.

1. Indispensable (adjective) - Absolutely necessary.

• Example: A good education is indispensable for success in today's world.

1. Resilience (noun) - The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

• Example: The community's resilience was evident in the way they rebuilt after the disaster.

1. Erosion (noun) - The process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of something.

• Example: The erosion of trust between the two parties made cooperation difficult.

1. Exacerbate (verb) - To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.

• Example: The lack of communication exacerbated the conflict between the two departments.

1. Compromise (noun) - A settlement of differences by mutual concessions.

• Example: The compromise satisfied neither side completely but allowed progress to be made.

1. Invasion (noun) - An instance of intruding or encroaching on a place or area.

• Example: The invasion of privacy by paparazzi is a common issue for celebrities.

1. Discord (noun) - Lack of agreement among people or groups.

• Example: The discord within the team affected their performance.

1. Tangible (adjective) - Clear and real rather than abstract.

• Example: The tangible benefits of the new policy were evident within a few months.

1. Strife (noun) - Angry or bitter conflict or disagreement.

• Example: The political strife in the country led to widespread unrest.

1. Navigated (verb) - Managed to move successfully through or around an obstacle or difficult situation.

• Example: She navigated the complexities of the legal system with ease.

1. Invaluable (adjective) - Extremely useful; indispensable.

• Example: His advice was invaluable in helping me make the right decision.

1. Succinct (adjective) - Briefly and clearly expressed.

• Example: Her succinct explanation helped everyone understand the concept quickly.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Ignoring Both Parts of the Question: Focusing only on one part of the prompt and neglecting the other.
2. Lack of Specific Examples: Providing general statements without concrete examples to support their arguments.
3. Poor Organization: Failing to structure the essay with clear paragraphs and logical flow.
4. Vague Language: Using imprecise vocabulary that does not clearly convey the intended meaning.
5. Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical mistakes that hinder understanding.

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