Plan this opinion essay about family 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 countries, more young adults are staying in their parents' home well into their twenties and thirties. This is a positive development.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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 countries, more young adults are staying in their parents' home well into their twenties and thirties, and some regard this as a positive development. I partly agree, because the arrangement has real benefits but also some risks.
The main advantage is financial. Housing costs and student debt are so high in many cities that independent living is out of reach for graduates on entry-level salaries. By living with their parents, young adults can save money for a deposit, repay debts and start a business or continue studying without constant financial strain. In Italy and Spain, for example, this has long been a practical response to unemployment and expensive rent. There are emotional benefits as well. Families who live together often have closer relationships, and parents can offer advice and support while their children begin their careers. In multi-generational homes, household tasks and childcare can also be shared, which eases the burden on everyone.
However, the arrangement can have drawbacks. Young people who never leave home may become over-dependent and find it difficult to develop the skills of cooking, budgeting and decision-making that independent life requires. Conflicts may arise over privacy, rules or differing lifestyles, and parents may be unable to enjoy the freedom of retirement. Some graduates also feel frustrated and embarrassed, which can harm their confidence.
The key is to approach the situation as a temporary, planned stage, in which the young adult contributes to household costs and chores and saves toward moving out.
In conclusion, staying with parents can be sensible and supportive when circumstances demand it, but only if it does not prevent young people from becoming independent. I therefore agree with the statement only partly.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| move out | leave the family home |
| property ladder | series of steps to buying a home |
| financial independence | ability to support yourself |
| adulthood | stage of life as a grown-up |
| boomerang generation | young adults returning to live with parents |
| emotional support | help with feelings |
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