Writing Task 2 · Opinion (agree or disagree)

Urban versus rural living: to what extent agree?: IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer

An IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay question with a Band 8 sample answer, the plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it and what an examiner looks for.
  • 260 words
  • Opinion (agree or disagree)
  • General Training
  • 40 minutes

The question

Living in a large city is better than living in a small town. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

About 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.

Opinion (agree or disagree)

Plan before you write

  1. 1

    Your position

    I firmly believe that living in a large city offers superior opportunities for personal and professional development compared to small towns.

  2. 2

    Paragraph 2

    Metropolises provide unparalleled access to diverse career paths and advanced educational institutions.

  3. 3

    Paragraph 3

    Cities foster a vibrant cultural environment and comprehensive public services that are often lacking in rural areas.

  • →State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.
  • →Two body paragraphs that each give one reason for that position, with an example.
  • →A partial position is fine if it is stated precisely; a position that drifts is what caps task response at 6.

Model answer

Band 8 sample essay

Band 8260 words · use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences

The debate regarding whether life in a bustling metropolis is preferable to that in a quiet, rural setting is ongoing. While some value the tranquillity of small towns, I contend that urban environments provide significantly greater advantages for individuals seeking growth and modern convenience.

Primary among the benefits of city living is the concentration of professional and academic prospects. Large cities act as economic hubs, hosting multinational corporations and specialised industries that offer a wider array of employment trajectories. Furthermore, major cities usually house prestigious universities and vocational centres, enabling residents to acquire cutting-edge skills. For instance, a software engineer in London has access to a vast network of tech start-ups and industry conferences, a professional ecosystem that simply does not exist in a remote village.

Beyond career advancement, cities offer a superior standard of public infrastructure and cultural enrichment. Urban dwellers benefit from sophisticated transport networks, world-class healthcare facilities, and a diverse array of leisure activities such as theatres, museums, and international culinary options. These amenities foster a dynamic lifestyle that broadens one’s perspective. Take, for example, the comprehensive public transport systems in cities like Tokyo, which allow residents to navigate vast distances efficiently without the necessity of owning a private vehicle, thereby enhancing daily mobility and accessibility.

In summary, the superior range of career opportunities and the abundance of high-quality public services make large cities a more advantageous place to reside. While small towns may offer a slower pace of life, the intellectual and professional stimulation found in urban centres is far more conducive to long-term personal success.

Examiner's view

Why this scores Band 8

This essay achieves Band 8 by maintaining a clear, consistent position throughout while supporting ideas with specific, well-developed examples. A Band 6 answer typically fails to provide concrete examples, relying instead on vague generalisations or repetitive arguments about traffic and noise.

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Forty minutes, then a band for task response, coherence, vocabulary and grammar from BandLadder AI, with the sentences that cost you marks highlighted.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the essay

  • metropolis

    a very large and busy capital city

  • trajectories

    the paths followed by an object or person

  • ecosystem

    a complex network of interconnected business entities

  • enrichment

    the action of improving the quality of something

  • amenities

    useful or desirable features of a specific location

  • conducive

    making a certain situation or outcome likely possible

  • sophisticated

    developed to a high degree of complexity

  • stimulation

    the encouragement of development or increased activity

More words for this topic: IELTS vocabulary for society.

Frequently asked questions

What type of essay is "Urban versus rural living: to what extent agree?"?+

Opinion (agree or disagree). State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.

How many words should an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay be?+

At least 250 words, in about 40 minutes. This sample is 260 words, written to fit that time with five minutes left to check grammar.

How is IELTS Writing Task 2 scored?+

On four criteria: task response, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band.

What is the difference between a Band 6 and a Band 8 answer here?+

This essay achieves Band 8 by maintaining a clear, consistent position throughout while supporting ideas with specific, well-developed examples. A Band 6 answer typically fails to provide concrete examples, relying instead on vague generalisations or repetitive arguments about traffic and noise.

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