IELTS Writing Task 2: Sustainable Cities (Problem Solution) — Band 6/7/9 Model Answers

Related guides:

• IELTS Writing Task 2: Social Media Influencers - Band 7.0…
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Road Safety – Band 8.0 Sample with…
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Juvenile Justice – Band 8.0 Sample…
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Rehabilitation: Band 9.0 Sample Answer
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Traffic Congestion - Band 6.5 Sample…

Many cities face significant environmental challenges as they grow. What are the main problems caused by urban growth, and how can these problems be addressed?

---

Side-by-Side Model Answers (Band 6, 7, 9)

Band 6.0 Model Answer

The growth of cities is a big problem in many countries. There are several main problems. One problem is too much traffic. This causes a lot of pollution and makes the air dirty. Another problem is that there is too much rubbish. In big cities, people throw away many things and there is not enough space for all the waste. Also, cities need a lot of water and energy, so sometimes there is not enough for everyone.

We can solve these problems in different ways. To fix traffic, governments should make better buses and trains. If public transport is good, people will not use their cars. For the waste problem, we need to recycle more. People should put plastic and paper in different bins. Finally, for water and energy, we can use solar panels. Solar panels get energy from the sun, so it is clean.

In conclusion, city growth causes traffic, waste, and resource problems. But if we improve transport, recycle, and use solar power, cities can be better.

(Word Count: 178)

Scoring Breakdown (Band 6.0)

• Task Response (TR): Addresses all parts of the prompt. Presents relevant problems and solutions, but they are underdeveloped. Ideas are stated but not extended (e.g., "too much traffic" is not elaborated upon with effects like commute times or health impacts).
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): Information is arranged coherently, but cohesive devices are basic and sometimes inaccurate ("Also," "Finally"). The paragraphing is present but not always logical (solutions are listed in one block).
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses adequate vocabulary for the task but lacks variety and precision ("big problem," "rubbish," "fix traffic"). Some repetition. Attempts at less common vocabulary ("solar panels") are made.
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, but errors are frequent ("cities need a lot of water and energy, so sometimes there is not enough for everyone" - ambiguous pronoun). Errors do not severely impede communication.

---

Band 7.0 Model Answer

Rapid urbanisation presents serious environmental issues for cities worldwide. Two primary problems are air pollution from vehicle emissions and the unsustainable management of municipal waste.

Firstly, the increase in private car ownership leads to chronic traffic congestion. This not only releases greenhouse gases but also contributes to respiratory diseases among residents. A viable solution is for city authorities to invest heavily in integrated public transport networks, such as subways and electric buses. Additionally, implementing congestion charges in city centres, as seen in London, can deter unnecessary car use and generate revenue for green projects.

Secondly, growing urban populations produce vast quantities of waste, overwhelming landfills. Much of this waste, especially plastic, is not biodegradable and pollutes waterways. To tackle this, governments should enforce strict recycling regulations and promote a circular economy. For instance, they could subsidise companies that use recycled materials and impose taxes on single-use plastics, encouraging both manufacturers and consumers to adopt sustainable practices.

In summary, while urban growth exacerbates pollution and waste, strategic investment in public transit and robust waste management policies can mitigate these impacts significantly.

(Word Count: 198)

Scoring Breakdown (Band 7.0)

• Task Response (TR): Fully addresses all parts of the prompt. Presents clear, relevant problems and solutions that are well-developed and supported (e.g., mentions congestion charges and gives the example of London).
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): Logically organises information with clear progression throughout. Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately ("Firstly," "Secondly," "Additionally," "For instance"). Each paragraph has a clear central topic.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses sufficient range of vocabulary to allow flexibility and precision ("rapid urbanisation," "chronic congestion," "circular economy," "mitigate"). Some less common lexical items are used with awareness of style and collocation.
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): Uses a variety of complex structures (e.g., "This not only releases... but also contributes..."). Produces frequent error-free sentences. Has good control of grammar and punctuation, though there may be occasional slips.

---

Band 9.0 Model Answer

The relentless expansion of urban areas has given rise to a host of environmental dilemmas that threaten the viability of cities themselves. The most pressing issues stem from inefficient transport systems generating pervasive pollution and the linear consumption models that create monumental waste streams.

The cornerstone of the first problem is car-dependent infrastructure, which leads to gridlocked roads, elevated carbon emissions, and a public health crisis due to degraded air quality. To catalyse a shift, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Policymakers must prioritise the development of comprehensive, affordable, and reliable mass transit, complemented by the creation of extensive pedestrian and cycling corridors. Furthermore, economic disincentives, such as steep congestion pricing and reduced parking, can effectively curb private vehicle use, as evidenced by the success of such schemes in Singapore and Stockholm.

Concurrently, cities function as vast engines of consumption, discarding unprecedented volumes of waste, a significant portion of which is non-recyclable plastic. Addressing this requires a systemic transition from a 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular economy. This can be achieved by legislating stringent extended producer responsibility laws, which mandate companies to manage the lifecycle of their products, and by investing in advanced recycling technologies that can process complex materials. Public awareness campaigns are also crucial to foster a culture of reuse and minimalism among citizens.

Ultimately, mitigating the environmental fallout of urban growth is not about isolated fixes but about reimagining city planning and economic systems to prioritise sustainability and resilience for the long term.

(Word Count: 250)

Scoring Breakdown (Band 9.0)

• Task Response (TR): Fully addresses all parts of the prompt with fully extended and well-supported ideas. The response explores the depth of the problems (e.g., "public health crisis," "linear consumption models") and provides sophisticated, multifaceted solutions (multi-pronged approach, systemic transition).
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention. Paragraphing is skillfully managed, and the progression of ideas is seamless, using sophisticated linking ("The cornerstone," "To catalyse a shift," "Concurrently," "Ultimately").
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Precision and collocation are flawless ("relentless expansion," "host of dilemmas," "gridlocked roads," "catalyse a shift," "monumental waste streams," "circular economy," "environmental fallout").
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Rare minor slips are only typical of a native speaker's writing (e.g., complex noun phrases and conditional clauses are used effortlessly).

---

Vocabulary Highlights (From Band 7 & 9 Answers)

| Vocabulary | Definition & Collocation | | :--- | :--- | | Urbanisation | The process by which towns and cities grow. Rapid urbanisation, uncontrolled urbanisation. | | Chronic congestion | Long-lasting and severe traffic jams. Leads to chronic congestion, suffer from chronic congestion. | | Greenhouse gases | Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere (e.g., CO2). Emit greenhouse gases, reduce greenhouse gases. | | Integrated transport | A connected system of different transport modes. Invest in integrated transport, an integrated transport network. | | Congestion charge | A fee for driving in a busy city area. Implement a congestion charge, the London congestion charge. | | Municipal waste | Waste collected by local authorities. Management of municipal waste, divert municipal waste from landfills. | | Circular economy | An economic system aimed at eliminating waste. Promote a circular economy, transition to a circular economy. | | Single-use plastics | Plastic items designed to be used once. Ban single-use plastics, a tax on single-use plastics. | | Mitigate impacts | To make something less severe or harmful. Mitigate environmental impacts, measures to mitigate the effects. | | Gridlocked roads | Roads so congested that traffic cannot move. Leads to gridlocked roads, the city was gridlocked. | | Catalyse a shift | To cause a change to happen more quickly. Catalyse a shift in behaviour, a policy to catalyse investment. | | Multi-pronged approach | A strategy with several different components. Adopt a multi-pronged approach, a multi-pronged strategy to solve... | | Linear consumption model | The traditional 'take, make, dispose' system. Move away from a linear consumption model. | | Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) | A policy making producers responsible for product end-of-life. Introduce EPR laws, under an EPR scheme. | | Environmental fallout | The negative consequences for the environment. Mitigate the environmental fallout, the fallout from industrialisation. |

---

5 Common Mistakes on Problem-Solution Essays

1. Unbalanced Response: Spending 70% of the essay describing problems in detail and only 30% on vague, underdeveloped solutions. The solution section must be equally detailed and specific.
2. Generic Solutions: Proposing solutions like "government should make laws" or "people should be educated" without any elaboration. Band 7+ answers specify what law, how it would work, or what the education campaign would involve.
3. Irrelevant Problems/Solutions: Discussing social problems like crime or unemployment when the prompt is specifically about environmental challenges. Always stick tightly to the topic keywords.
4. Poor Paragraph Structure: Writing one massive paragraph for all problems and another for all solutions. High-scoring essays use clear, separate paragraphs for each main problem and its linked solution(s).
5. Repetitive Language: Using "problem" and "solution" repeatedly. Use synonyms: issue, challenge, dilemma, drawback / remedy, measure, initiative, policy, strategy, approach.

---

How to Structure a Band 8+ Problem-Solution Essay

Introduction (2-3 sentences)

1. Paraphrase the question statement.
2. Clearly state that you will outline key problems and viable solutions.

Body Paragraph 1

1. Topic Sentence: State the first main problem.
2. Explain: Elaborate on the problem. What are its causes and effects?
3. Solution: Present one or two specific solutions directly linked to this problem.
4. Develop/Example: Explain how the solution would work or give a real-world example.

Body Paragraph 2

1. Topic Sentence: State the second main problem.
2. Explain: Elaborate on this problem.
3. Solution: Present specific solutions.
4. Develop/Example: Explain or exemplify the solutions.

Conclusion (1-2 sentences)

1. Summarise the main problems and solutions.
2. Optionally, give a final thought on the outcome if solutions are implemented.

Ready to practice? Upload your own essay to English AIdol for an instant AI score and detailed feedback on TR, CC, LR, and GRA.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the ideal word count for IELTS Writing Task 2? Aim for 270-290 words. Writing less than 250 risks not fully developing your ideas. Writing more than 300 often leads to repetitive ideas or off-topic content. Quality of argument is more important than word count.

Can I use personal examples ("I," "my city") in a problem-solution essay? Generally, avoid personal pronouns for examples. Instead, use generalized or well-known examples (e.g., "Cities like Copenhagen...", "As demonstrated in Singapore..."). This maintains a formal, academic tone expected for Band 7+.

How many problems and solutions should I write about? Two well-developed problems, each with one or two linked solutions, is the perfect formula for a 250-300 word essay. Trying to cover three or four problems will result in underdeveloped, superficial ideas.

Is it okay to write a solution that is very expensive or idealistic? Yes, as long as you present it as a viable, logical step. The examiner is assessing your language, not your policy expertise. However, grounding a solution in a real-world example (e.g., "similar to Norway's subsidies for electric vehicles") adds strong credibility.

What's the biggest difference between a Band 7 and Band 8 essay on this topic? The precision and sophistication of vocabulary (Lexical Resource) and the seamless, almost invisible cohesion (Coherence & Cohesion). A Band 8 essay uses phrases like "exacerbated by car-centric planning" instead of "caused by too many cars," and links ideas without relying on basic connectors like "Firstly" or "In addition."

Does spelling affect my score? Yes, it falls under Lexical Resource. Frequent spelling errors of common words will limit your score to Band 6 or below. Always leave 2-3 minutes to proofread for spelling, subject-verb agreement, and article errors.

Should I write a separate conclusion for a problem-solution essay? Yes, always. Your conclusion should summarise the main problems and solutions you discussed in one or two sentences. Do not introduce new ideas or examples here.