Plan this two-part essay about society 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 large cities, a growing number of people say they feel lonely, even though they live surrounded by others.
Why is this happening? What can be done to address it?
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 large cities, a growing number of people say they feel lonely despite living among crowds. This essay will explain the reasons for this and suggest what can be done.
Several causes can be identified. Urban life is highly mobile: people move for jobs and education, leaving their families and old friends behind, and arrive in places where they know nobody. Long working hours and expensive housing leave many with little time or money for social activities, and a rising number of people live alone. Technology contributes, too. Online communication and entertainment can replace face-to-face contact, and although social media gives the impression of connection, it often offers shallow relationships and encourages comparison with others. Cities can also be anonymous, as people hurry past one another in the street, and rarely speak to neighbours.
There are practical responses. Local governments can create public spaces and events that bring people together, such as markets, community centres and neighbourhood festivals, and they can design housing with shared areas that encourage interaction. Employers can reduce isolation by offering reasonable working hours and social activities, and organisations can promote clubs for sports, hobbies and volunteering, where newcomers can meet others with similar interests. Individuals also have a role: making the effort to greet neighbours, accept invitations and use technology to arrange meetings rather than replace them can make a difference. In Japan and the United Kingdom, governments have even appointed ministers for loneliness, recognising its effect on mental and physical health.
In conclusion, mobility, busy lifestyles, solo living and online habits explain urban loneliness. Better public spaces, supportive workplaces and personal initiative would help city residents feel more connected.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| social isolation | state of having little contact with others |
| close-knit community | group of people with strong personal ties |
| fast-paced lifestyle | life with constant pressure and speed |
| meaningful relationships | connections that matter emotionally |
| foster a sense of belonging | help people feel part of a group |
| urban dwellers | people who live in cities |
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