This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of old towns and cities from the real exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Old Towns and Cities
The world has many towns and cities constructed in previous centuries that were more suitable and livable for people in those times than they are now.
What problems will this cause?
What can be done to solve these problems?
There now exist numerous towns and cities that were constructed centuries ago. While these places were once considered livable, they often face challenges in meeting the needs and expectations of contemporary society that can only realistically be resolved by local authorities.
One of the primary challenges associated with old towns and cities is outdated infrastructure and limited accessibility. Many of these places were designed before the advent of private vehicles and modern transportation systems. Consequently, narrow streets, lack of parking facilities, and insufficient public transportation options pose significant challenges for mobility and convenience. Similarly, outdated sewage and waste management systems may not be equipped to handle the needs of a larger population, leading to environmental and health hazards. One well-known example of this would be in developing cities such as Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam where older buildings that collapse are common and there are geographical challenges that limit the development of other areas. Since local authorities have few options, this means many less privileged residents must live in conditions that are not ideal.
To overcome these challenges, a comprehensive revitalization plan is crucial. Local governments should invest in infrastructure upgrades, such as widening roads, improving public transportation networks, and implementing smart traffic management systems. Additionally, the integration of sustainable solutions, including renewable energy sources and eco-friendly waste management systems, can contribute to the long-term livability of these areas. By prioritizing infrastructure development and accessibility enhancements, old towns and cities can adapt to modern demands without compromising their historical integrity. Local governments can also, in collaboration with residents and stakeholders, organize cultural events, festivals, and initiatives to celebrate the heritage of these areas. This holistic support will prolong and support revitalization efforts long-term.
In conclusion, by adopting a balanced approach to preservation, investing in infrastructure and accessibility, and fostering local engagement, older cities can overcome inherent challenges and regain their livability. Only through such concerted efforts can old towns and cities be restored and cherished for generations to come.
Analysis
1. There now exist numerous towns and cities that were constructed centuries ago. 2. While these places were once considered livable, they often face challenges in meeting the needs and expectations of contemporary society that can only realistically be resolved by local authorities.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. One of the primary challenges associated with old towns and cities is outdated infrastructure and limited accessibility. 2. Many of these places were designed before the advent of private vehicles and modern transportation systems. 3. Consequently, narrow streets, lack of parking facilities, and insufficient public transportation options pose significant challenges for mobility and convenience. 4. Similarly, outdated sewage and waste management systems may not be equipped to handle the needs of a larger population, leading to environmental and health hazards. 5. One well-known example of this would be in developing cities such as Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam where older buildings that collapse are common and there are geographical challenges that limit the development of other areas. 6. Since local authorities have few options, this means many less privileged residents must live in conditions that are not ideal.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Better to have more detail.
- Close with as many specifics as possible.
1. To overcome these challenges, a comprehensive revitalization plan is crucial. 2. Local governments should invest in infrastructure upgrades, such as widening roads, improving public transportation networks, and implementing smart traffic management systems. 3. Additionally, the integration of sustainable solutions, including renewable energy sources and eco-friendly waste management systems, can contribute to the long-term livability of these areas. 4. By prioritizing infrastructure development and accessibility enhancements, old towns and cities can adapt to modern demands without compromising their historical integrity. 5. Local governments can also, in collaboration with residents and stakeholders, organize cultural events, festivals, and initiatives to celebrate the heritage of these areas. 6. This holistic support will prolong and support revitalization efforts long-term.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.
- Finish the paragraph strong.
1. In conclusion, by adopting a balanced approach to preservation, investing in infrastructure and accessibility, and fostering local engagement, older cities can overcome inherent challenges and regain their livability. 2. Only through such concerted efforts can old towns and cities be restored and cherished for generations to come.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
There now exist numerous towns and cities that were constructed centuries ago. While these places were once considered livable, they often face challenges in meeting the needs and expectations of contemporary society that can only realistically be resolved by local authorities.
One of the primary challenges associated with old towns and cities is outdated infrastructure and limited accessibility. Many of these places were designed before the advent of private vehicles and modern transportation systems. Consequently, narrow streets, lack of parking facilities, and insufficient public transportation options pose significant challenges for mobility and convenience. Similarly, outdated sewage and waste management systems may not be equipped to handle the needs of a larger population, leading to environmental and health hazards. One well-known example of this would be in developing cities such as Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam where older buildings that collapse are common and there are geographical challenges that limit the development of other areas. Since local authorities have few options, this means many less privileged residents must live in conditions that are not ideal.
To overcome these challenges, a comprehensive revitalization plan is crucial. Local governments should invest in infrastructure upgrades, such as widening roads, improving public transportation networks, and implementing smart traffic management systems. Additionally, the integration of sustainable solutions, including renewable energy sources and eco-friendly waste management systems, can contribute to the long-term livability of these areas. By prioritizing infrastructure development and accessibility enhancements, old towns and cities can adapt to modern demands without compromising their historical integrity. Local governments can also, in collaboration with residents and stakeholders, organize cultural events, festivals, and initiatives to celebrate the heritage of these areas. This holistic support will prolong and support revitalization efforts long-term.
In conclusion, by adopting a balanced approach to preservation, investing in infrastructure and accessibility, and fostering local engagement, older cities can overcome inherent challenges and regain their livability. Only through such concerted efforts can old towns and cities be restored and cherished for generations to come.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
There now exist: There are now numerous
constructed centuries ago: Built ages ago
once considered livable: Formerly deemed habitable
face challenges in meeting the needs and expectations of contemporary society: Encounter difficulties in fulfilling the requirements and aspirations of modern society
realistically: Practically
resolved: Solved
local authorities: Municipal authorities
One of the primary challenges associated with: One of the main obstacles related to
outdated infrastructure: Obsolete infrastructure
limited accessibility: Restricted availability
advent: Arrival
private vehicles: Personal vehicles
modern transportation systems: Contemporary transport networks
Consequently: As a result
narrow streets: Narrow roadways
lack of parking facilities: Insufficient parking amenities
insufficient public transportation options pose significant challenges for mobility: Inadequate public transportation choices present significant mobility obstacles
convenience: Convenience
outdated sewage: Obsolete sewage
waste management systems: Garbage disposal systems
equipped to handle the needs of a larger population, leading to environmental and health hazards: Capable of accommodating the requirements of a larger population, resulting in environmental and health risks
One well-known example of this would be: An eminent instance of this is
collapse: Collapse
geographical challenges: Geographical obstacles
limit the development of: Restrict the growth of
local authorities: Local administrations
less privileged residents: Underprivileged inhabitants
live in conditions that are not ideal: Reside in unfavorable conditions
overcome these challenges: Surmount these challenges
comprehensive revitalization plan: Extensive rejuvenation scheme
crucial: Vital
invest in infrastructure upgrades: Allocate funds for infrastructure improvements
widening roads: Expanding roads
improving public transportation networks: Enhancing public transport networks
implementing smart traffic management systems: Deploying intelligent traffic management systems
Additionally: Moreover
integration: Incorporation
sustainable solutions: Environmentally friendly solutions
including renewable energy sources: Involving renewable energy sources
eco-friendly waste management systems: Environmentally friendly waste management systems
contribute to the long-term livability of these areas: Contribute to the long-term habitability of these regions
prioritizing: Giving priority to
accessibility enhancements: Improvements in accessibility
adapt to modern demands: Adjust to contemporary demands
compromising: Jeopardizing
historical integrity: Historical authenticity
in collaboration with: In cooperation with
organize cultural events: Arrange cultural events
festivals: Celebrations
initiatives: Projects
heritage: Cultural heritage
holistic support: Comprehensive support
prolong: Prolong
support revitalization efforts long-term: Sustain revitalization efforts in the long run
adopting a balanced approach to preservation: Embracing a balanced approach to conservation
fostering: Cultivating
inherent: Intrinsic
regain their livability: Regain their habitability
concerted efforts: Joint efforts
restored: Renewed
cherished for generations to come: Treasured for future generations
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ðeə naʊ ɪɡˈzɪst
ˈnjuːmərəs
kənˈstrʌktɪd ˈsɛnʧᵊriz əˈɡəʊ
wʌns kənˈsɪdəd ˈlɪvəbᵊl
feɪs ˈʧælɪnʤɪz ɪn ˈmiːtɪŋ ðə niːdz ænd ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃᵊnz ɒv kənˈtɛmpᵊrᵊri səˈsaɪəti
rɪəˈlɪstɪkᵊli
rɪˈzɒlvd
ˈləʊkᵊl ɔːˈθɒrətiz
wʌn ɒv ðə ˈpraɪmᵊri ˈʧælɪnʤɪz əˈsəʊsieɪtɪd wɪð
aʊtˈdeɪtɪd ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə
ˈlɪmɪtɪd əkˌsɛsəˈbɪləti
ˈædvɛnt
ˈpraɪvət ˈvɪəkᵊlz
ˈmɒdᵊn ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃᵊn ˈsɪstəmz
ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli
ˈnærəʊ striːts
læk ɒv ˈpɑːkɪŋ fəˈsɪlətiz
ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃᵊnt ˈpʌblɪk ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃᵊn ˈɒpʃᵊnz pəʊz sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt ˈʧælɪnʤɪz fɔː məʊˈbɪləti
kənˈviːniəns
aʊtˈdeɪtɪd ˈsuːɪʤ
weɪst ˈmænɪʤmənt ˈsɪstəmz
ɪˈkwɪpt tuː ˈhændᵊl ðə niːdz ɒv ə ˈlɑːʤə ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn, ˈliːdɪŋ tuː ɪnˌvaɪrᵊnˈmɛntᵊl ænd hɛlθ ˈhæzədz
wʌn wɛl-nəʊn ɪɡˈzɑːmpᵊl ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː
kəˈlæps
ˌʤiəˈɡræfɪkᵊl ˈʧælɪnʤɪz
ˈlɪmɪt ðə dɪˈvɛləpmənt ɒv
ˈləʊkᵊl ɔːˈθɒrətiz
lɛs ˈprɪvɪlɪʤd ˈrɛzɪdᵊnts
lɪv ɪn kənˈdɪʃᵊnz ðæt ɑː nɒt aɪˈdɪəl
ˌəʊvəˈkʌm ðiːz ˈʧælɪnʤɪz
ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv riːˌvaɪtᵊlaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn plæn
ˈkruːʃᵊl
ɪnˈvɛst ɪn ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧər ʌpˈɡreɪdz
ˈwaɪdᵊnɪŋ rəʊdz
ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ ˈpʌblɪk ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃᵊn ˈnɛtwɜːks
ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪŋ smɑːt ˈtræfɪk ˈmænɪʤmənt ˈsɪstəmz
əˈdɪʃᵊnᵊli
ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃᵊn
səˈsteɪnəbᵊl səˈluːʃᵊnz
ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ rɪˈnjuːəbᵊl ˈɛnəʤi ˈsɔːsɪz
ˈiːkəʊ-ˈfrɛndli weɪst ˈmænɪʤmənt ˈsɪstəmz
kənˈtrɪbjuːt tuː ðə ˈlɒŋtɜːm ˌlɪvəˈbɪləti ɒv ðiːz ˈeəriəz
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzɪŋ
əkˌsɛsəˈbɪləti ɪnˈhɑːnsmənts
əˈdæpt tuː ˈmɒdᵊn dɪˈmɑːndz
ˈkɒmprəmaɪzɪŋ
hɪˈstɒrɪkᵊl ɪnˈtɛɡrəti
ɪn kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃᵊn wɪð
ˈɔːɡᵊnaɪz ˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl ɪˈvɛnts
ˈfɛstɪvᵊlz
ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz
ˈhɛrɪtɪʤ
həˈlɪstɪk səˈpɔːt
prəʊˈlɒŋ
səˈpɔːt riːˌvaɪtᵊlaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn ˈɛfəts ˈlɒŋtɜːm
əˈdɒptɪŋ ə ˈbælənst əˈprəʊʧ tuː ˌprɛzəˈveɪʃᵊn
ˈfɒstərɪŋ
ɪnˈhɛrᵊnt
rɪˈɡeɪn ðeə ˌlɪvəˈbɪləti
kənˈsɜːtɪd ˈɛfəts
rɪˈstɔːd
ˈʧɛrɪʃt fɔː ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃᵊnz tuː kʌm
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
T______________________t n__________s towns and cities that were c_____________________o. While these places were o_____________________________e, they often f________________________________________________________________________y that can only r______________y be r__________d by l____________s.
O_______________________________________h old towns and cities is o______________________e and l________________y. Many of these places were designed before the a______t of p_______________s and m______________________s. C___________y, n___________s, l___________________________________s, and i___________________________________________________________________________r m________y and c__________e. Similarly, o________________e and w________________________________s may not be e___________________________________________________n, l_______________________________________________s. O________________________________________e in developing cities such as Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam where older buildings that c__________e are common and there are g___________________________s that l___________________f other areas. Since l____________s have few options, this means many l___________________s must l_________________________________l.
To o________________________s, a c______________________________n is c_________l. Local governments should i________________________________________s, such as w______________s, i___________________s, and i_______________________________________s. A____________y, the i__________n of s______________s, i___________________________s and e_________________________________________s, can c_______________________________________s. By p_____________g infrastructure development and a____________________s, old towns and cities can a______________________s without c_____________g their h_____________________y. Local governments can also, i____________h residents and stakeholders, o______________________s, f________s, and i____________s to celebrate the h______e of these areas. This h_____________t will p_______g and s____________________________________________m.
In conclusion, by a________________________________n, investing in infrastructure and accessibility, and f__________g local engagement, older cities can overcome i________t challenges and r______________y. Only through such c______________s can old towns and cities be r_________d and c_______________________e.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Speaking Practice
Preserving Historic Buildings
- In your opinion, what are the benefits of preserving historic buildings in a city or community?
- Does preserving historic buildings cost too much?
- How do you think preserving historic buildings can contribute to the cultural identity of a city or region?
- In some cases, historic buildings may not be well-maintained or may be at risk of demolition due to safety concerns. What measures do you think should be taken to balance preservation with public safety?
- What would you say to those who prioritize development over the preservation of historic architecture?
Writing Practice
Around the world, rural people are moving to cities and urban areas, so populations in the countryside are decreasing.
Is this a positive or negative development?
