Plan this advantages and disadvantages 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:
Some people believe that city governments should spend more on public parks and spaces rather than on housing.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
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.
Some people believe that city governments should spend more on public parks and spaces than on housing. I think the disadvantages of this approach outweigh the advantages, although green spaces are certainly important.
The advantages of investing in parks are clear. Green areas improve physical and mental health, giving residents places to exercise, relax and escape the noise of traffic. Trees reduce air pollution and lower summer temperatures, which matters as cities become hotter. Parks also bring communities together, because they provide free spaces where children can play and neighbours can meet, regardless of income. This is particularly valuable for families living in flats without gardens, and cities with famous parks, such as New York's Central Park, enjoy a higher quality of life and attract visitors.
However, the drawbacks of prioritising parks over housing are more serious. In many cities, a shortage of affordable homes forces people to live in overcrowded or unsafe conditions, or to spend most of their income on rent. Homelessness is rising in several countries, and without a secure place to live, people struggle to keep a job, stay healthy and look after their children. Public money is limited, so spending heavily on open space can mean fewer homes are built, driving prices up further. Land for parks is also expensive in central areas, and its use may push housing to the outskirts, increasing commuting and pollution.
A sensible compromise is to combine the two. Planners can require developers to include small parks, green roofs and playgrounds in new housing projects, so that both needs are met.
In conclusion, parks are valuable, but I believe basic housing should come first, since every person needs a safe home before additional public space.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| green space | open land with grass and trees |
| affordable housing | homes people on low income can pay for |
| urban planning | designing how a city is laid out |
| public amenities | facilities for everyone to use |
| quality of life | how pleasant daily life is |
| competing priorities | needs that cannot all be funded |
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