IELTS Writing Task 2: Sustainable Cities – Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown

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The Prompt

Topic: More and more cities are becoming overpopulated. What are the causes of urbanization, and how can we make cities more sustainable?

Sample Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 – Addresses the task but with some inaccuracies and omissions.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 – Ideas are logically ordered but with some unclear connections.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 – Uses a mix of appropriate and inconsistent vocabulary.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 – Makes frequent grammatical errors that hinder clarity.

Answer:

Urbanization is happening fast. Many people move to cities for jobs and better lives. Cities are getting too crowded. This causes problems like pollution and traffic. To make cities sustainable, we need better planning and green spaces.

First, cities should have more public transport. Cars cause pollution. Buses and trains can reduce this. Also, cities need more parks. Green spaces make cities healthier. People can relax there.

In conclusion, urbanization is a big issue. Cities need better transport and more parks to be sustainable. Governments must act now.

Band 7.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 6.5 – Addresses all parts of the task with some development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 – Ideas are logically organized with clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 – Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexis.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors.

Answer:

The rapid urbanization of cities is a pressing issue. This phenomenon is driven by job opportunities and better living conditions. However, overpopulation leads to environmental and social problems. Sustainable urban planning is essential to mitigate these issues.

One major cause of urbanization is economic opportunity. People migrate to cities for better jobs and higher wages. Additionally, cities offer better healthcare and education. However, this influx strains infrastructure, leading to pollution and traffic congestion.

To create sustainable cities, several measures can be taken. First, investing in public transportation can reduce car usage and lower emissions. Second, urban green spaces should be expanded. Parks and gardens improve air quality and provide recreational areas. Governments should prioritize these initiatives to ensure sustainable urban growth.

Band 7.5 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 – Addresses the task fully with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.5 – Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear logical progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.5 – Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexis and some flexibility.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.5 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.

Answer:

The phenomenon of urbanization has accelerated in recent decades, leading to overcrowded cities. This trend is primarily driven by economic opportunities and improved living standards. However, uncontrolled urban growth poses significant challenges to sustainability. Implementing effective policies is crucial to address these issues.

Economic factors are the primary drivers of urbanization. Cities offer a plethora of job opportunities, attracting migrants from rural areas. Additionally, urban centers provide access to better healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Consequently, the rapid influx of people exacerbates problems such as air pollution, traffic congestion, and housing shortages.

To promote sustainable urban development, several strategies can be employed. First, governments should invest in efficient public transportation systems to reduce reliance on private vehicles. For instance, cities like Copenhagen have successfully implemented extensive bike-sharing programs and electric bus networks. Second, urban planners should prioritize the creation of green spaces. Vertical gardens and rooftop parks can enhance air quality and provide recreational areas for residents. Furthermore, promoting energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy sources can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

In conclusion, addressing the challenges of urbanization requires a multifaceted approach. By investing in public transportation, expanding green spaces, and adopting sustainable building practices, cities can become more livable and environmentally friendly. Governments and urban planners must collaborate to implement these measures effectively.

Band 8.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 – Addresses the task fully with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 – Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear logical progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 – Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexis and some flexibility.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.

Answer:

The rapid urbanization of cities has become a global concern, with overpopulation leading to numerous environmental and social challenges. This trend is primarily driven by economic opportunities and the promise of better living conditions. However, uncontrolled urban growth poses significant threats to sustainability. Implementing innovative solutions is essential to create more livable and environmentally friendly cities.

Economic factors are the primary drivers of urbanization. Cities offer a wide range of job opportunities, attracting migrants from rural areas. Additionally, urban centers provide access to better healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Consequently, the rapid influx of people exacerbates problems such as air pollution, traffic congestion, and housing shortages. For example, cities like Mumbai and Shanghai are grappling with severe overcrowding and pollution levels that threaten public health.

To promote sustainable urban development, several strategies can be employed. First, governments should invest in efficient public transportation systems to reduce reliance on private vehicles. For instance, cities like Tokyo and Singapore have successfully implemented extensive metro networks and bus rapid transit systems. Second, urban planners should prioritize the creation of green spaces. Vertical gardens and rooftop parks can enhance air quality and provide recreational areas for residents. Furthermore, promoting energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy sources can significantly reduce carbon emissions. For example, Copenhagen aims to become the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025.

In conclusion, addressing the challenges of urbanization requires a multifaceted approach. By investing in public transportation, expanding green spaces, and adopting sustainable building practices, cities can become more livable and environmentally friendly. Governments, urban planners, and communities must collaborate to implement these measures effectively. Through concerted efforts, it is possible to create sustainable cities that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Urbanization (noun): The process of people moving to cities.

• Example: The rapid urbanization of cities has led to overcrowding.

1. Sustainable (adjective): Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.

• Example: Sustainable urban planning is essential for the future.

1. Influx (noun): A sudden or continuous arrival of people or things.

• Example: The influx of migrants strains city infrastructure.

1. Congestion (noun): Overcrowding or overfilling, especially of roads or buildings.

• Example: Traffic congestion is a major problem in big cities.

1. Efficient (adjective): Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.

• Example: Efficient public transportation reduces pollution.

1. Recreational (adjective): Relating to or denoting activities done for enjoyment when one is not working.

• Example: Green spaces provide recreational areas for residents.

1. Renewable (adjective): Able to be replaced naturally or replenished.

• Example: Renewable energy sources include solar and wind power.

1. Multifaceted (adjective): Having many different aspects or features.

• Example: A multifaceted approach is needed to solve urban problems.

1. Livable (adjective): Suitable or good enough to live in.

• Example: Sustainable cities aim to be more livable.

1. Environmentally friendly (adjective): Not harmful to the environment.

• Example: Energy-efficient buildings are environmentally friendly.

1. Infrastructure (noun): The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society.

• Example: Cities need robust infrastructure to support growth.

1. Emit (verb): To produce and discharge something, especially gas or radiation.

• Example: Cars emit pollutants that harm the environment.

1. Prioritize (verb): To treat something as more important than other things.

• Example: Urban planners should prioritize green spaces.

1. Vertical gardens (noun): Gardens that are built vertically on walls or other structures.

• Example: Vertical gardens can improve air quality in cities.

1. Carbon emissions (noun): The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels.

• Example: Reducing carbon emissions is crucial for sustainability.

1. Planners (noun): People who plan or devise a course of action.

• Example: Urban planners design sustainable cities.

1. Collaborate (verb): To work jointly on an activity or project.

• Example: Governments and communities must collaborate to solve urban issues.

1. Concerted (adjective): Done or made with concerted effort; joint or combined.

• Example: Concerted efforts are needed to create sustainable cities.

1. Balance (verb): To keep or bring into a desired or steady state.

• Example: Sustainable cities balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

1. Threat (noun): A statement of an intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage.

• Example: Overcrowding poses a threat to public health.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to clearly state their position on the issue, leading to a lower score in Task Response.

1. Poor Organization: Answers that lack clear paragraph structure and logical flow score lower in Coherence and Cohesion.

1. Limited Vocabulary: Using repetitive or basic vocabulary can lower the Lexical Resource score. Students should aim to use a wider range of words.

1. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical mistakes can hinder clarity and reduce the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. Students should focus on using a mix of simple and complex sentences correctly.

1. Insufficient Examples: Answers that lack relevant examples or supporting details may not fully address the task, leading to a lower score in Task Response.

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