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Writing Samples
Band 5.5

In many urban areas, the rising cost of housing has made it difficult for middle and low-income families to afford a place to live. What are the causes of this issue, and what solutions can you suggest to address it?

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Introduction
In recent years, urban housing has drastically risen in cost, making it difficult for middle and low-income families to afford a living space.
This
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 crisis is mostly caused by rapid urbanization and because wealthy people use housing as an investment.
Therefore
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, the only way to mitigate
this
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 is by applying stricter housing regulations with the government's help.
Body paragraph 1
To begin
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 with, massive migration from rural areas to urban ones has drastically spiked the demand
of
Change preposition
for
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 already limited land.
Moreover
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,
this
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 trend has been observed globally, leading to investors buying up properties as financial assets rather than homes.
Consequently
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, the prices are currently rising as demand rises and fewer homes are available
Body paragraph 2
To address these issues, several solutions can be implemented.
For instance
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, governments can regulate the number of unoccupied housing units a single person or real estate company can own, alongside imposing heavier taxes on vacant properties.
Furthermore
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, a primary solution involves direct investment in housing programs funded by the government.
Subsequently
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,
this
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 would help lower and middle-class families, enabling them to secure stable living conditions and contribute more effectively to the economy.
Conclusion
In conclusion,
while
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 rapid urbanisation and real estate investments have severely impacted urban housing affordability, regulation by the government, vacancy taxes, and initiatives in housing programs offer practical solutions to restore the balance of the market.

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task response
You answer both parts of the task: you give causes and ways to help. To make the answer stronger, explain each cause in more detail. For example, say why people move to cities and how this makes rents and house prices go up.
task response
Your main idea about rich buyers is useful, but it is a little too broad. Explain that some buyers keep homes empty or rent them at high prices, so there are fewer homes for local families.
task response
Your solutions are clear, but the claim that this is 'the only way' is too strong. Use words such as 'one important way' because more than one action is needed.
task response
Add one clear real-life example. For instance, a city can build low-cost homes near bus and train lines, or give help with rent to families with low pay.
coherence and cohesion
Your four-paragraph plan is easy to follow: introduction, causes, solutions, and ending. Keep this clear shape.
coherence and cohesion
Link your ideas more smoothly inside the causes paragraph. The move from rural-to-city migration to rich buyers is fast. Add a sentence that shows both causes make the same problem worse: too many buyers and too few homes.
coherence and cohesion
Use linking words with care. 'Subsequently' does not fit well before the result of public housing. A simpler link such as 'As a result' or 'This means that' is clearer.
coherence and cohesion
Finish full sentences with a full stop. In the second paragraph, the last sentence needs a period.
task response
You give direct and relevant causes: more people moving to cities and homes being bought for money rather than for living.
task response
Your ideas for taxes on empty homes and public housing are useful and fit the problem well.
coherence and cohesion
Each body paragraph has a clear job, so the reader can easily see where you discuss causes and where you discuss solutions.
coherence and cohesion
The introduction and ending both state the main ideas clearly, which gives the essay a complete shape.
Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
    • Sentence 1 - Background statement
    • Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
    • Sentence 3 - Thesis
    • Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
    • Sentence 1 - Summary
    • Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
    • Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

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