Plan this two-part essay about cities with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many cities, the demand for water is rising and supplies are under pressure.
Why is this the case? What can governments and individuals do to save water?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
In many cities the demand for water is increasing while supplies are under pressure. This essay will explain why this is happening and what governments and individuals can do to save water.
Several factors explain the shortage. Urban populations are growing quickly, so more people need water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and sanitation. Higher living standards have also increased consumption, as households install washing machines, dishwashers and gardens, and industry and power stations use large volumes. At the same time, supply is threatened by climate change, which causes longer droughts and reduces river flows, and by pollution of rivers and aquifers. Ageing pipes in many cities leak a significant percentage of treated water before it reaches homes, and rapid growth often outpaces the construction of reservoirs and treatment works. Cape Town came close to running out of water in 2018 for precisely these reasons.
There are many actions that governments and individuals can take. Governments should repair leaking pipes, invest in desalination and wastewater recycling and introduce pricing systems in which heavy users pay more, which encourages thrift. They can also require water-efficient appliances in new buildings and run public campaigns, especially during droughts, and restrict activities such as watering lawns or filling swimming pools. Individuals can contribute by taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps, running washing machines with full loads and collecting rainwater for gardens. Using drought-resistant plants and turning off taps while brushing teeth are simple habits that add up when millions of people follow them.
In conclusion, rising demand, climate pressure and poor infrastructure threaten urban water supplies, but sensible policies and responsible personal behaviour can conserve this essential resource. Cooperation between authorities and citizens is the surest way to avoid future shortages.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| water scarcity | lack of water |
| drought | long period without rain |
| water conservation | saving water |
| leaking pipes | pipes losing water |
| water meter | device measuring use |
| desalination | removing salt from seawater |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.