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IELTS Writing Samples

IELTS essay samples (writing task 2), report and letter samples (writing task 1) with Band Scores, marked by IELTS teachers, including comments and suggestions on how to increase your score

IELTS essay, topic: The advantages and disadvantages of high-rise apartment living

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 6 General Training book, Practice Test 28

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many people in cities today live in high-rise apartment blocks. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of living?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Band 9 Essay

High-rise apartment blocks are a common sight in cities around the world. They are especially popular in large cities and in locations where building land is scarce. Living in such buildings has various advantages and disadvantages for town planners and the inhabitants themselves.

The most significant advantage of high-rise apartment blocks is probably for the town planners. With land often being at a premium in large cities, one way to maximise space is to build upwards, so that the population density per square kilometre can be increased. The demand for housing in big cities can therefore be more easily met. There are also disadvantages for town planners. The heavier population density can put added pressure on social facilities, for example sewage and other waste disposal, and the provision of adequate school and medical services.

There are also advantages and disadvantages for the actual inhabitants of high-rise apartment blocks. With the demand for housing being reduced, prices are therefore not as high, making housing more affordable. Many people also like not having to be responsible for a garden, and living in an apartment has this advantage. Finally, with so many people living in the same area, many friendships can be made and a community spirit can be built up. It appears the most significant disadvantage is that, in practice, living in high-rise apartment blocks is just not the lifestyle many people want. In some city neighbourhoods, these living spaces can often be associated with poor living conditions and undesirable social elements. In addition, many people view high-rise apartment blocks as being unsafe. For example, in the case of fire, tall buildings are difficult or impossible to evacuate safely.

It is clear that high-rise apartment blocks have benefits and drawbacks. It is also clear, however, that due to the need to house increasing numbers of people in cities, these architectural features are here to stay, whether people like them or not.

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IELTS Report, topic: Flow charts of circles of poverty (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 3)

This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 3 Academic book, Practice Test 15

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The flow charts below show the vicious circles of poverty at the institutional and individual levels.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

Multiple bar chart of US processed food export markets (from IELTS High Scorer's Choice series, Academic Set 3 book)

Sample Band 9 Report

The two flow charts describe circles of poverty, however, they look at them from different perspectives. The first flow chart looks at poverty from an institutional level, while the second looks at it from the perspective of an individual.

Overall, it can be seen that at both levels, individual and institutional, poverty perpetuates itself.

The first flow chart explains how poverty results in the lack of a critical mass for service and infrastructure, which can lead to lower business creation. This in turn leads to fewer jobs and the moving away of workers, so they can find a job elsewhere. If workers begin to move away, then the population density of the cities decreases, which then again influences the lack of a mass needed for the infrastructure. And so the circle continues.

The second flow chart looks at the more personal hardships of poverty, starting with low income, low assets and low education in an individual. Low education leads to a lack of skills and a lack of capital, which makes it even harder for an individual to generate income. This provides an individual with only a low security against economic and health risks and can lead to debt and a further loss of income.

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