Only government action can solve the housing shortage in big cities.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Only government action can solve the housing shortage in big cities.

Government Actions Solve Housing Shortage Big Cities - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 8 ยท 257 words.

In many contemporary metropolises, the scarcity of affordable housing has become a critical issue. While some suggest private developers play a role, I strongly agree that only government intervention can effectively resolve this crisis.

Firstly, the state holds the unique power to manage land-use zoning and urban expansion. In many big cities, housing is limited because land is strictly regulated or owned by the government. By rezoning industrial areas for residential use or releasing land on the city's outskirts, the administration can create opportunities for new construction. For instance, the government can invest in public transport infrastructure, such as subways and bus routes, to make these new peripheral areas attractive to residents. Without such state-led infrastructure, private developers would have no incentive to build in remote locations.

Secondly, the government is the only body capable of implementing large-scale urban decentralization. By relocating heavy industries and manufacturing plants from the city center to rural or provincial areas, the government frees up significant space for residential development. This not only provides room for new housing projects but also improves the quality of life by reducing noise and air pollution. Furthermore, through tax incentives or subsidies, the government can encourage businesses to participate in these relocation efforts, creating a symbiotic relationship between the public and private sectors.

In conclusion, while the private sector contributes to construction, the fundamental issues of land availability and urban planning can only be addressed by the government. Without decisive state action in infrastructure and decentralization, the housing shortage in major cities will likely remain unsolved.

Examiner feedback

This is a high-quality response that demonstrates strong control over both language and argumentation. The essay is logically organized, uses sophisticated vocabulary appropriately, and addresses the task prompt with clear, well-supported ideas.

Task Response - 8

- Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed position throughout the essay. - Ideas regarding land-use zoning and urban decentralization are relevant and extended with specific examples. - The argument is consistent and directly addresses the 'government action' aspect of the prompt.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information and ideas are sequenced logically with a clear progression from introduction to conclusion. - Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a clear central topic. - Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, facilitating a smooth flow of ideas without being mechanical.

Lexical Resource - 8

- Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently (e.g., 'scarcity', 'contemporary metropolises', 'urban decentralization', 'symbiotic relationship'). - Demonstrates skillful use of uncommon lexical items and precise collocations. - Spelling and word formation are highly accurate with rare exceptions.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- Uses a wide range of complex structures with high accuracy, including conditional forms and subordinate clauses. - The majority of sentences are error-free, with only very minor slips that do not affect meaning. - Punctuation is well-controlled throughout the essay.

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