Urban Issues in IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem and Solution Essay Samples

IELTS Problem and Solution Essay urban Issue

Urban issues are common essay topics in the Academic IELTS Writing section, often focusing on challenges faced by cities around the world. These topics can include issues such as overcrowding, pollution, housing shortages, traffic congestion, and the impact of urbanization on mental health. Other subtopics may involve the role of public transportation in reducing emissions, sustainable urban planning, the need for green spaces, and the rise of smart cities. Candidates should be prepared to discuss both the problems these urban issues cause and potential solutions that could improve the quality of urban life.

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Essay Topics

Topic 1: People who live in big cities are faced with more and more problems. What are the problems? Should the government encourage people to move to the suburbs?

TaskPeople who live in big cities are faced with more and more problems. What are the problems? Should the government encourage people to move to the suburbs?

How to approach the essay:

How to Approach the Essay:

Identify the two parts: (1) What problems do people face in big cities? (2) Should the government encourage suburban relocation?

Keep conclusion clear: Summarize main points and give your opinion on government action.

Model Answer

It is undeniable that residents of large urban centers are confronted with a range of serious challenges. The frenetic pace of life, intense work-related pressures, and severe environmental pollution often prompt them to reconsider whether urban living is truly sustainable.

In today’s society, people living in major cities tend to experience much higher stress levels than those in smaller towns or rural areas. Men often suffer from chronic stress and burnout due to long working hours, high living costs, and the constant pressure to financially provide for their families. Women frequently face the dual burden of professional expectations and domestic responsibilities, which can lead to mental exhaustion and feelings of being overwhelmed. In many cases, the lack of accessible childcare or flexible work arrangements further adds to their difficulties. Children, too, are not spared from the pressures of urban life. They are often placed in highly competitive academic environments and overloaded with extracurricular commitments, which can cause anxiety, fatigue, and social isolation.

Given these conditions, the government should consider encouraging people to relocate to suburban areas. Suburbs often offer a slower pace of life, lower living costs, and a cleaner environment, all of which can contribute to better mental and physical health. By investing in suburban infrastructure such as public transport, schools, and healthcare facilities, the government can make these areas more attractive and accessible. Incentives like tax breaks or housing subsidies could also ease the transition for families looking to move. Encouraging such migration could help reduce overcrowding in city centers, reduce pollution, and distribute population growth evenly across regions.

In conclusion, the problems faced by people living in large cities are complex and far-reaching. To address these issues effectively, the government must take active steps to both improve urban living conditions and promote the benefits of suburban life as a viable and healthier alternative.

Essay Question:

People who live in big cities are faced with more and more problems. What are the problems? Should the government encourage people to move to the suburbs?

Introduction

Clarity: Yes – the topic is introduced clearly with a general overview.
Thesis: Yes – the writer’s stance is implicit; the problems are presented, and the second paragraph addresses the solution (relocation).

Body Paragraphs

Main Ideas (Problems):

Stress from long work hours and high living costs
Mental exhaustion from balancing work and home (especially for women)
Pressure on children due to competition and packed schedules

Main Ideas (Solution):

Suburbs offer better lifestyle: slower pace, cleaner environment
Government support via infrastructure and incentives
Benefits: reduced pollution, less urban overcrowding

Coherence: Yes – ideas progress logically with clear transitions; both problem and solution are well developed.

Conclusion
Summary: Effectively restates both the complexity of urban issues and supports suburban migration as a government solution.

Vocabulary & Grammar
High-Level Vocabulary (with meanings):

Frenetic – fast and energetic in an uncontrolled way
Burnout – physical/emotional exhaustion from stress
Exhaustion – extreme tiredness
Incentives – things that motivate or encourage action
Viable – capable of working successfully

Academic Phrases:

It is undeniable that…
Given these conditions…
In many cases…
To address these issues effectively…
Such migration could help…

Complex Sentences:

Women frequently face the dual burden of professional expectations and domestic responsibilities, which can lead to mental exhaustion and feelings of being overwhelmed.
By investing in suburban infrastructure such as public transport, schools, and healthcare facilities, the government can make these areas more attractive and accessible.