Plan this problem and solution essay about government 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, housing is so expensive that young people cannot afford to buy or rent a home.
What problems does this cause and what solutions can you suggest?
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, property prices and rents have risen so sharply that young adults cannot afford a place of their own. This essay will examine the problems this creates and suggest several practical solutions.
The most obvious consequence is that young people stay with their parents well into their thirties. This delays independence, and many couples put off marriage or having children because they have nowhere to settle. A second problem is economic: when a large share of a salary goes on rent, people save little, so they cannot buy a home later. Cities also suffer, because young workers may leave for cheaper regions, leaving employers short of staff. In London, for example, nurses and teachers increasingly commute for hours or quit altogether.
Governments can respond in several ways. Firstly, they should build more affordable housing, either directly through social housing programmes or by offering developers tax incentives and releasing public land. Singapore shows that large-scale state building can keep homes within reach of ordinary families. Secondly, rules that limit speculation would help, such as higher taxes on empty properties or on investors who own many homes, so that houses are used for living rather than for profit. Rent controls that cap annual increases can give tenants stability, although they must be designed carefully so that landlords do not stop letting. Finally, grants or low-interest mortgages for first-time buyers would make it easier to take the first step onto the property ladder.
In conclusion, expensive housing damages the personal prospects of young people and the economic health of cities. A combination of more construction, tighter control of speculation and direct support for buyers offers the most realistic way to restore affordability.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| housing shortage | not enough homes |
| property prices | cost of buildings and land |
| first-time buyer | person buying a home for the first time |
| rent control | limits on how much rent can rise |
| speculation | buying in hope of profit |
| social housing | cheap homes provided by authorities |
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