This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay from the general training exam on whether it is better to live in cities or rural areas.
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IELTS Essay General Training: Cities vs Rural Areas
Some people think that cities are the best places to live. Others prefer to live in rural areas.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
There are fundamentally different reasons that dictate whether one lives in the countryside or an urban area. In my opinion, the health benefits of living in the countryside do not outweigh the range of opportunities available in cities.
The chief advantages of the countryside relate to health. City-dwelling lends itself to a more sedentary lifestyle and the threat of air pollution is ever-growing. In contrast, individuals living in the country are much more likely to walk or ride bikes as part of their daily routine. Over time this equates to healthier living habits and can reduce the risk of obesity and concomitant conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Moreover, recent studies have found that worsening air quality in cities and the absorption of microparticles into the lungs is driving up rates of cancer and asthma. The countryside presents an alternative environment where cleaner air can result in both short and long-term health benefits.
Nonetheless, cities offer a wide array of options rural areas lack. This begins with the employment on offer. The vast majority of well-paid jobs are located in cities ranging from doctors to lawyers to managers in companies. Living in the countryside limits one to careers primarily centred around agriculture. Cities also contain a richer variety of educational and cultural opportunities. The best schools are usually found in cities and museums and concerts are rare in the countryside. Take New York City for example, where some of the most famous museums in the world are located next to beautiful concert venues and renowned five star restaurants. This broadens an individual’s horizons and makes cities ideal for both single people and families.
In conclusion, despite the healthier overall lifestyle enjoyed in the countryside, city life allows too many modern conveniences to be ignored. Each individual must decide what they value highest but most should opt for city life.
Analysis
1. There are fundamentally different reasons that dictate whether one lives in the countryside or an urban area. 2. In my opinion, the health benefits of living in the countryside do not outweigh the range of opportunities available in cities.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about writing introductions here.
1. The chief advantages of the countryside relate to health. 2. City-dwelling lends itself to a more sedentary lifestyle and the threat of air pollution is ever-growing. 3. In contrast, individuals living in the country are much more likely to walk or ride bikes as part of their daily routine. 4. Over time this equates to healthier living habits and can reduce the risk of obesity and concomitant conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 5. Moreover, recent studies have found that worsening air quality in cities and the absorption of microparticles into the lungs is driving up rates of cancer and asthma. 6. The countryside presents an alternative environment where cleaner air can result in both short and long-term health benefits.
- Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Use specific examples to support your idea.
- State the results to develop your idea.
- Don’t write about a new idea but you can write about multiple ideas within a topic (healthy).
- Conclude with a summary sentence.
1. Nonetheless, cities offer a wide array of options rural areas lack. This begins with the employment on offer. 2. The vast majority of well-paid jobs are located in cities ranging from doctors to lawyers to managers in companies. 3. Living in the countryside limits one to careers primarily centred around agriculture. 4. Cities also contain a richer variety of educational and cultural opportunities. 5. The best schools are usually found in cities and museums and concerts are rare in the countryside. 6. Take New York City for example, where some of the most famous museums in the world are located next to beautiful concert venues and renowned five star restaurants. 7. This broadens an individual’s horizons and makes cities ideal for both single people and families.
- Write another topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Use counter-examples for more support.
- Start with more general sentences.
- Then get more specific.
- Use a specific city as an example.
- Conclude with a strong statement relating it back to your opinion.
1. In conclusion, despite the healthier overall lifestyle enjoyed in the countryside, city life allows too many modern conveniences to be ignored. 2. Each individual must decide what they value highest but most should opt for city life.
- Summarise your ideas and repeat your opinion.
- Add a final thought/detail. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
There are fundamentally different reasons that dictate whether one lives in the countryside or an urban area. In my opinion, the health benefits of living in the countryside do not outweigh the range of opportunities available in cities.
The chief advantages of the countryside relate to health. City-dwelling lends itself to a more sedentary lifestyle and the threat of air pollution is ever-growing. In contrast, individuals living in the country are much more likely to walk or ride bikes as part of their daily routine. Over time this equates to healthier living habits and can reduce the risk of obesity and concomitant conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Moreover, recent studies have found that worsening air quality in cities and the absorption of microparticles into the lungs is driving up rates of cancer and asthma. The countryside presents an alternative environment where cleaner air can result in both short and long-term health benefits.
Nonetheless, cities offer a wide array of options rural areas lack. This begins with the employment on offer. The vast majority of well-paid jobs are located in cities ranging from doctors to lawyers to managers in companies. Living in the countryside limits one to careers primarily centred around agriculture. Cities also contain a richer variety of educational and cultural opportunities. The best schools are usually found in cities and museums and concerts are rare in the countryside. Take New York City for example, where some of the most famous museums in the world are located next to beautiful concert venues and renowned five star restaurants. This broadens an individual’s horizons and makes cities ideal for both single people and families.
In conclusion, despite the healthier overall lifestyle enjoyed in the countryside, city life allows too many modern conveniences to be ignored. Each individual must decide what they value highest but most should opt for city life.
Answers
fundamentally different reasons basically differing justifications
dictate decide
urban area city
health benefits good for you
outweigh stronger than
range of opportunities many chances
chief advantages main benefits
relate to regarding
city-dwelling lends itself living in a city makes you more likely to
more sedentary lifestyle less active living
threat of air pollution risk of poor air quality
ever-growing always increasing
in contrast however
part of their daily routine something you do everyday
equates means
healthier living habits doing something healthy everday
reduce the risk less chance of
obesity getting fat
concomitant conditions related problems
cardiovascular disease heart disease
diabetes a disease from eating too much sugar
recent studies have found research has shown
worsening air quality more air pollution
absorption becoming part of
microparticles small bits of stuff
driving up rates of cancer increasing the odds of getting cancer
asthma a breathing condition
presents allows for
alternative environment different place
cleaner air less air pollution
result in so
short and long-term health benefits in the near and distant future
nonetheless regardless
wide array of options many chances
lack don’t have
employment on offer jobs available
vast majority most of
well-paid jobs good employment
ranging from including
limits restricts
primarily centred around agriculture mostly to do with farming
contain a richer variety have a lot more
educational related to education
cultural opportunities museums, theatre, music, etc.
usually found often located
rare not common
are located are situated
concert venues places for music
renowned five star restaurants famous restaurants
broadens expands
individual’s horizons what you know about
ideal perfect
enjoyed in that they have
modern conveniences that people expect these days
ignored not paying attention to
value highest consider most important
opt choose
Pronunciation
ˌfʌndəˈmɛntli ˈdɪfrənt ˈriːznz
ˈdɪkteɪt
ˈɜːbən ˈeərɪə
hɛlθ ˈbɛnɪfɪts
aʊtˈweɪ
reɪnʤ ɒv ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz
ʧiːf ədˈvɑːntɪʤɪz
rɪˈleɪt tuː
ˈsɪti-ˈdwɛlɪŋ lɛndz ɪtˈsɛlf
mɔː ˈsɛdntəri ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl
θrɛt ɒv eə pəˈluːʃən
ˈɛvə-ˈgrəʊɪŋ
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
pɑːt ɒv ðeə ˈdeɪli ruːˈtiːn
ɪˈkweɪts
ˈhɛlθɪə ˈlɪvɪŋ ˈhæbɪts
rɪˈdjuːs ðə rɪsk
əʊˈbiːsɪti
kənˈkɒmɪtənt kənˈdɪʃənz
ˌkɑːdɪəʊˈvæskjʊlə dɪˈziːz
ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz
ˈriːsnt ˈstʌdiz hæv faʊnd
ˈwɜːsnɪŋ eə ˈkwɒlɪti
əbˈsɔːpʃ(ə)n
microparticles
ˈdraɪvɪŋ ʌp reɪts ɒv ˈkænsə
ˈæsmə
ˈprɛznts
ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
ˈkliːnər eə
rɪˈzʌlt ɪn
ʃɔːt ænd ˈlɒŋtɜːm hɛlθ ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
waɪd əˈreɪ ɒv ˈɒpʃənz
læk
ɪmˈplɔɪmənt ɒn ˈɒfə
vɑːst məˈʤɒrɪti
wɛl-peɪd ʤɒbz
ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm
ˈlɪmɪts
ˈpraɪmərɪli ˈsɛntəd əˈraʊnd ˈægrɪkʌlʧə
kənˈteɪn ə ˈrɪʧə vəˈraɪəti
ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃənl
ˈkʌlʧərəl ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz
ˈjuːʒʊəli faʊnd
reə
ɑː ləʊˈkeɪtɪd
ˈkɒnsə(ː)t ˈvɛnjuːz
rɪˈnaʊnd faɪv stɑː ˈrɛstrɒnts
ˈbrɔːdnz
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəlz həˈraɪznz
aɪˈdɪəl
ɪnˈʤɔɪd ɪn
ˈmɒdən kənˈviːniənsɪz
ɪgˈnɔːd
ˈvæljuː ˈhaɪɪst
ɒpt
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
There are f______________________________s that d__________e whether one lives in the countryside or an u_____________a. In my opinion, the h______________s of living in the countryside do not o_____________h the r__________________________s available in cities.
The c___________________s of the countryside r____________o health. C_______________________________f to a m____________________e and the t_________________________n is e_______________g. I_______________t, individuals living in the country are much more likely to walk or ride bikes as p___________________________e. Over time this e______________s to h_____________________________s and can r___________________k of o__________y and c_____________________s such as c_______________________e and d____________s. Moreover, r______________________d that w_______________________y in cities and the a________________n of m____________________s into the lungs is d______________________r and a___________a. The countryside p_____________s an a____________________t where c_________________r can r______________n both s________________________s.
N_______________s, cities offer a w____________________s rural areas l_____k. This begins with the e_____________________r. The v_________________y of w_____________________s are located in cities r________________m doctors to lawyers to managers in companies. Living in the countryside l___________s one to careers p_________________________________e. Cities also c________________________y of e_________________l and c______________________s. The best schools are u___________________d in cities and museums and concerts are r_____e in the countryside. Take New York City for example, where some of the most famous museums in the world a_____________d next to beautiful c________________s and r______________________________s. This b_______________s an i__________________________s and makes cities i______l for both single people and families.
In conclusion, despite the healthier overall lifestyle e_______________n the countryside, city life allows too many m___________________s to be i_______________d. Each individual must decide what they v_______________t but most should o_____t for city life.
Listening Practice
Learn more about living in New York City below:
Reading Practice
Read a counterpoint below:
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/06/pandemic-cities-moving-remote-work/613069/
Speaking Practice
Practice speaking with the following questions from the real IELTS exam:
Countryside
- Do you like going to the countryside?
- What do you like to do there?
- Have you ever lived in the countryside?
- Would you like to live in the countryside in the future?
Writing Practice
Write about the following related topic then check with my sample answer below:
Some people believe that children should grow up in the city while others believe the countryside is a better choice.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Hi Dave.. Do you think my essay gets 5.5 score?
While living in the city centre has numerous opportunities, it has different opportunities in rural areas. Both of side has advantages as well as drawbacks. All of these statements can help consider where we live. I am going to writing this essay about discuss both views and give my opinion.
Some people believe that life in the city the best place for most life needs. I partly agree with this view. Because the city has many opportunities such as job, good education, cultural activities. Besides, there have a few undesirable situations such as air pollution, traffic congestion and crowd common areas. In my opinion, these people who live in the city life, have individual reasons for city life. For example, if you like social activities, the city most suitable for you. Also, if you would like to take a good quality of education, you should live in the city. All of the requirements find more easily than a rural area.
On the other hand, the rural area has numerous different kind of opportunities. For example, Air pollution less than the city centre, there has not a problem due to the crowd. However, the rural area also lacks social activities and an exciting life. The people who want these should choose a rural life.
In conclusion, ın my opinion, both the lifestyle should be beneficial to people. The most important point, knowing what lifestyle you do not like and do not need. In addition, The rural area fits my all requirements. So, ı want to live in a rural area and ı advice to everyone.
It is on the border because there is a lot of informality, the 3rd paragraph is short, a lot of overuse of linking phrases, etc.
I think you could quickly fix it up to that score with some direction, Berke!
Thank you for reply :)) ı consider your advice.
No problem, Berke!
People choice of where to live in city or countryside is a subject has recently disused a lot. Certain individuals ascertain that urban or cosmopolitan area are the optimal selection for one to settle in due to its employment availability and its connivant lifestyle. However, opponent of this opt to dwell in countryside. I share the view of those who prefer living in the countryside because of its healthy environment and closeness of its community.
Many major cities offer a wide range of jobs for almost 70% for its residents. When there is a vast number of vacancies that are available for jobseekers in the urban areas this would highly encourage a lot of people to relocate from villages to the city. A friend of mine has left his village last year came to the capital city with sole purpose to obtain a position that he could not find in his natal village. With cities are full packed with working opportunities that are were not found in rural areas. Another vital reason is that cities also do have a convenient way of life for many individuals who live there. Life in a city is much easier compared with a village because there are many facilities and amenities that exist or being provided by city lifestyle. There are a lot of Transportation services and educational entablements in urban settings in contrast with their counterparts of outskirts or rural areas. A lot of individuals chose to live in city to acquire good educations from high-standard universities and high schools and make sure to obtain good services such as better healthcare and all the necessary amenities of modern life. Although the life in a city is comfortable and easy, but others still belief is not the ultimate choice for them.
living in countryside is viewed as better chose for many people for the healthy settings and friendly society exit in it. Villages or outskirts are very quiet and have pollution free environment in terms of water, air, and land. People can breathe fresh air, sleep peacefully, and eat healthy besides their lifestyle is not sedentary one which involve a lot of practice and movement. Therefore, all these elements contribute to their overall well-being and increase their life. Another import reason that drives many people to live in the suburb is that it has a friendly close-knit community. In villages neighbors are friendly and know each other as well as supporting one another in times of need, thus make their bond strong and enjoy living peacefully.
In conclusion, many states that living in city is the most opted, while others believe that rural areas are the best choice. In my opinion, living in countryside is the best choice for its pollution free environment and cohesive society.
Well done, Adbullh!
It’s a little on the long side thought. Try to shorten your introduction and first body paragraph.
Keep up the hard work!