This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from IELTS Cambridge 15 on the topic of owning a home rather than renting one.
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Writing Task 1 Tests 1-4:
Writing Task 2 Tests 1-4
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay Cambridge 15: Owning or Renting a Home (IELTS Cambridge 15)
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay Cambridge 15: Owning or Renting a Home
In some countries, owning a home rather than renting one is very important for people.
Why might this be the case?
Do you think this is a positive or negative situation?
Cambridge IELTS 15
Many people today value owning their own home over renting. In my opinion, this is part of a natural human desire for security and prestige but it contains risks.
The source of this desire is a need for stability and respect. An individual who does not own their own home must pay rent to a landlord. This hangs over them and necessitates maintaining a job with a steady salary and balancing rent against other living expenses. Once a person owns their own home, they are then able to spend their money more freely and consider different employment without the fear of becoming homeless. Moreover, having a home lends an air of respectability. Only the wealthy are able buy a house and most homeowners take pride in the size and condition of their home as a sign of their social standing.
Nonetheless, home ownership is a negative trend as it forces unrealistic expectations on millions. Most people live in city apartments with rents and are not capable of buying a house. The pressure to buy one is likely to engender feelings of inadequacy and resentment towards the upper classes. This famously fueled the sub-prime mortgage scandals of the early 2000s in the United States when millions borrowed more than they could afford to buy homes, then defaulted on their payments and lost a lifetime of investment. Had these same people opted to rent, they would have saved more money and could have invested in other forms of capital such as the stock market.
In conclusion, owning a home is innately desirable but in the end causes more harm than good due to the pressure it places on individuals. Many people have learned this lesson and home ownership may begin to decline in the future.
Word Count: 293
Analysis
1. Many people today value owning their own home over renting. 2. In my opinion, this is part of a natural human desire for security and prestige but it contains risks.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion – choose a side and don’t sit in the middle or you risk a band 5 for task achievement.
1. The source of this desire is a need for stability and respect. 2. An individual who does not own their own home must pay rent to a landlord. 3. This hangs over them and necessitates maintaining a job with a steady salary and balancing rent against other living expenses. 4. Once a person owns their own home, they are then able to spend their money more freely and consider different employment without the fear of becoming homeless. 5. Moreover, having a home lends an air of respectability. 6. Only the wealthy are able buy a house and most homeowners take pride in the size and condition of their home as a sign of their social standing.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Here I use a hypothetical example to develop my main idea.
- Continue the example.
- Use specific ideas to support your argument.
- If you have a second main idea, switch over to it.
- Develop your second main idea fully.
1. Nonetheless, home ownership is a negative trend as it forces unrealistic expectations on millions. 2. Most people live in city apartments with rents and are not capable of buying a house. 3. The pressure to buy one is likely to engender feelings of inadequacy and resentment towards the upper classes. 4. This famously fueled the sub-prime mortgage scandals of the early 2000s in the United States when millions borrowed more than they could afford to buy homes, then defaulted on their payments and lost a lifetime of investment. 5. Had these same people opted to rent, they would have saved more money and could have invested in other forms of capital such as the stock market.
- Write another topic sentence with a new main idea.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with a logical argument or an example.
- Use specific examples.
- State the conclusions/results of your example.
1. In conclusion, owning a home is innately desirable but in the end causes more harm than good due to the pressure it places on individuals. 2. Many people have learned this lesson and home ownership may begin to decline in the future.
- Repeat your opinion and summarise your main ideas.
- Finish summarising and add a final thought for full marks from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many people today value owning their own home over renting. In my opinion, this is part of a natural human desire for security and prestige but it contains risks.
The source of this desire is a need for stability and respect. An individual who does not own their own home must pay rent to a landlord. This hangs over them and necessitates maintaining a job with a steady salary and balancing rent against other living expenses. Once a person owns their own home, they are then able to spend their money more freely and consider different employment without the fear of becoming homeless. Moreover, having a home lends an air of respectability. Only the wealthy are able buy a house and most homeowners take pride in the size and condition of their home as a sign of their social standing.
Nonetheless, home ownership is a negative trend as it forces unrealistic expectations on millions. Most people live in city apartments with rents and are not capable of buying a house. The pressure to buy one is likely to engender feelings of inadequacy and resentment towards the upper classes. This famously fueled the sub-prime mortgage scandals of the early 2000s in the United States when millions borrowed more than they could afford to buy homes, then defaulted on their payments and lost a lifetime of investment. Had these same people opted to rent, they would have saved more money and could have invested in other forms of capital such as the stock market.
In conclusion, owning a home is innately desirable but in the end causes more harm than good due to the pressure it places on individuals. Many people have learned this lesson and home ownership may begin to decline in the future.
Answers
renting paying monthly for
part of a piece of
natural human desire inherent to what people want
security safety
prestige respect/admiration
contains risks is dangerous
stability secure
respect admiration
pay rent give monthly money for
hangs over them oppresses them
necessitates maintaining a job must stay employed
steady salary consistent money each month
balancing moderating
living expenses money spent on food, travel, entertainment, etc.
spend their money more freely buy whatever they want
consider think about
homeless living on the streets
lends an air of respectability makes one seem important
homeowners people who have a house
pride self-esteem
condition how things are
sign signal, representation
social standing how others view you
forces unrealistic expectations makes people try to live up an image
city apartments apartment blocks
not capable can’t
engender feelings make them feel
inadequacy feeling not good enough
resentment antipathy towards
upper classes rich people
famously fueled notoriously was the source of
sub-prime mortgage scandals people not being able to pay for their homes
early 2000s 2000-2010
borrowed took money they have to pay back later
afford be able to buy
defaulted were not able to pay back
lifetime of investment entire life of putting money into
invested putting money into
capital money
stock market Wall Street, trading companies publicly
innately desirable naturally want
in the end finally
more harm than good hurts more than helps
decline decrease
Pronunciation
Listen and repeat:
ˈrɛntɪŋ
pɑːt ɒv
ˈnæʧrəl ˈhjuːmən dɪˈzaɪə
sɪˈkjʊərɪti
prɛsˈtiːʒ
kənˈteɪnz rɪsks
stəˈbɪlɪti
rɪsˈpɛkt
peɪ rɛnt
hæŋz ˈəʊvə ðɛm
nɪˈsɛsɪteɪts meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ ə ʤɒb
ˈstɛdi ˈsæləri
ˈbælənsɪŋ
ˈlɪvɪŋ ɪksˈpɛnsɪz
spɛnd ðeə ˈmʌni mɔː ˈfriːli
kənˈsɪdə
ˈhəʊmlɪs
lɛndz ən eər ɒv rɪsˌpɛktəˈbɪlɪti
həʊmˈəʊnəz
praɪd
kənˈdɪʃən
saɪn
ˈsəʊʃəl ˈstændɪŋ
ˈfɔːsɪz ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃənz
ˈsɪti əˈpɑːtmənts
nɒt ˈkeɪpəbl
ɪnˈʤɛndə ˈfiːlɪŋz
ɪnˈædɪkwəsi
rɪˈzɛntmənt
ˈʌpə ˈklɑːsɪz
ˈfeɪməsli fjʊəld
sʌb-praɪm ˈmɔːgɪʤ ˈskændlz
ˈɜːli tuː ˈθaʊzəndz
ˈbɒrəʊd
əˈfɔːd
dɪˈfɔːltɪd
ˈlaɪftaɪm ɒv ɪnˈvɛstmənt
ɪnˈvɛstɪd
ˈkæpɪtl
stɒk ˈmɑːkɪt
ɪˈneɪtli dɪˈzaɪərəbl
ɪn ði ɛnd
mɔː hɑːm ðæn gʊd
dɪˈklaɪn
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Many people today value owning their own home over r___________g. In my opinion, this is p_________f a n______________________e for s___________y and p___________e but it c_________________s.
The source of this desire is a need for s_____________y and r____________t. An individual who does not own their own home must p___________t to a landlord. This h___________________m and n_____________________________b with a s___________________y and b_____________g rent against other l__________________________s. Once a person owns their own home, they are then able to s_________________________________y and c_____________r different employment without the fear of becoming h_____________s. Moreover, having a home l________________________________________y. Only the wealthy are able buy a house and most h_______________________s take p_________e in the size and c___________________n of their home as a s________n of their s_______________________g.
Nonetheless, home ownership is a negative trend as it f________________________________s on millions. Most people live in c____________________________s with rents and are n_________________e of buying a house. The pressure to buy one is likely to e____________________s of i_____________________y and r________________t towards the u_________________s. This f__________________d the s____________________________s of the e__________________s in the United States when millions b_________________d more than they could a____________d to buy homes, then d________________d on their payments and lost a l_______________________t. Had these same people opted to rent, they would have saved more money and could have i_________________d in other forms of c_______________l such as the s___________________t.
In conclusion, owning a home is i_______________________e but i__________________d causes m_________________________d due to the pressure it places on individuals. Many people have learned this lesson and home ownership may begin to d_____________e in the future.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn about the 2008 financial crisis below:
Reading Practice
Read below about why millenials can’t afford to buy homes:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/06/why-millennials-cant-afford-buy-house/591532/
Speaking Practice
Answer the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Where you Live
Did you like the house you grew up in?
What was your favourite area of the house you grew up in?
How do you want to live in the future?
Real IELTS Speaking Exam
Writing Practice
Write about the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:
There are severe social consequences to housing shortages in cities and only the government can solve these problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam
Thank you for the sample essays. I think before “part” we should use an article. Since I am not a native speaker absence of article “a” in some places confusing me.
Thanks Nagima!
In that case we don’t need the ‘a’, though a part of something is common as well.
They are often used interchangeable: a big part of the team or part of the team.
Hi Dave, hope you are doing well. Thank you for this wonderful sample. My sample is below. Were do you think I should improve and what would be the possible band score for this answer?
A number of nations consider possessing a house as essential compared to renting an accommodation. Few factors like status might trigger this cause in a number of nations which in my opinion, is disadvantageous and should be abolished because it may invite a number of unnecessary discrimination in the society.
In some nations, status is vital in the society as it creates and maintains a positive reputation throughout one’s life. Particularly, in south-east Asia ,nations such as India, Pakistan and Nepal, who respect traditions and culture highly, have the perspective of status equaling to “superior”. High-paid jobs, assets such as cars, jewelries and house contribute to high status in the society. What I mean by this is that, if one has to pay for their accommodation and transportation, they are placed in the category of “inferior”. Moreover, having a status is alike to acquiring a plethora of advantages in the public places like hospitals and banks where one is highly prioritized. This, alone contributes to having an effortless life.
However, I consider this to be a negative situation as unnecessary discrimination are more likely to be caused. Divisions of society on the basis of color, caste and status are all the root causes of unequal rights which in the 21st century, requires no explanation. Nations which regard having status as “superior” has reported a number of cases regarding unequal treatments in public places which are yet to be seen in the lime light. If the divisions on the basis of factors which create no sense continues, the world will have to face numerous strikes which will bring a whole new revolution. A good example of this would be a former black man named George Floyd who was killed by police officers with no apparent reason. This welcomed a plethora of strikes and movements worldwide, demanding for justice and the discrimination to end. Likewise, the same cycle is more likely to be repeated in terms of status division.
In conclusion, regarding one as “highly” or the opposite on the basis of their possession of houses is an absolute negative movement as it generates inequality which already is one of the major problems globally.
Hi Sasha! For full feedback you can sign up here: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections or for my Patreon.com/howtodoielts
I think you should be careful about using too many academic phrases that you are not totally comfortable with. It’s good to make attemps but many are mis-used.
There is also too much informality in some of your writing.
Also not really sure about the claims or argument that you make in the 3rd paragraph…
Thank you for your feedback Dave!
May I ask what has made my writing informal and what can I do to improve? Can you elaborate what you mean by the claims I made in paragraph 3rd? Also, what can I write in my body paragraphs if I don’t have any examples to give? My test is in two days.
Hi Sasha!
Some vocabulary is informal as well as the use of quotes.
I recommend you sign up for a marking so I can give you detailed feedback before your exam: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections
Sign up today and I will move it to the front of the queue and mark it immediately and give you extra comments and corrections!
Hi the essay looks nice however I have a question . As the topic clearly says (Do you think this is a positive or negative situation?) aren’t we suppose to answer this taking one side either its a positive or a negative situation and write the essay along one stance we choose and not both ?? please validate , I am curious
For these, an all IELTS essay questions, you can always write about both sides.
That is the best way in my opinion so that you can have distinct main ideas and develop them fully.
Just be sure that you have an overall opinion by the end!
Thank you very much for presenting this data about ielts writing task 2 sample answer essay cambridge 15 owning renting home. Wonderful information, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us… great post!
Thanks a lot – hope you’re selling a lot of homes in Queenstown!
These are some great ielts writing task 2 sample answer essay cambridge 15 owning rentinghome that you have discussed here. I really loved it and thank you very much for sharing this with us. You have a great visualization and you have really presented this content in a really good manner.
Thanks so much, Will – love hearing that!
This is a similar question, can you please evaluate my answer on it
In some countries, most people prefer to rent their homes rather than buying them.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a home?
Over the last few years, renting homes, instead of buying them, has become a trend among the majority of people. This essay will discuss the positive and negative aspects of this issue.
On the one hand, one of the most important advantages of renting a home might be that it requires less amount of money than buying it. To illustrate, since life has been very expensive, many people struggle to survive and they can barely fund themselves and secure their basic necessities. Consequently, renting a place to live in is the best solution which suits those individuals’ financial status. Furthermore, many people tend to travel to other countries and temporarily settle there, in order to work or study. Therefore, they prefer to search for short-term rentals there during their stay period.
On the other hand, despite the above-mentioned merits, renting a home has some demerits as well. For example, it might be considered to be a waste of money. That is because despite having to pay for their rental every month, finally tenants have to leave the place for its original owner. In contrast, if they had had the chance to save this money, they would have finally been able to buy their own home. Additionally, another disadvantage is that in many places when someone rents an apartment, for example, he usually does not have the right to change its main design or even the colors of its walls. Indeed, this can be a huge issue for many individuals.
In conclusion, Although many people prefer renting a home to buying it because of its great advantages, renting still might be considered a very disadvantageous option.
Great work!
Your writing could be more formal and you should vary structures a bit more, Fareha!
Thank you :))
You’re very welcome!
Hi Dave, hope you are doing well now. Thanks so much for your instruction about Ielts academic 15, especially writing task 2 sample.My answer is below. Could you please give me your feedback to learn more? And please let me know where my band score is.
Here is my answer:
Nowadays, a large amount of persons admit that it is very essential to own a home in some countries. On the contrary, it might be different for some because their firm belief is that the better way of living is to rent a house. From my perspective, I find it is positive to get a home for happier life.
At the first glance, you might wonder what this case is argued. Actually, I believe that persons really make daily living more enjoyable at their home. People can take into private ownership of a certain property when it is in his (or her) name. To be owned a home, people may take loans, pay mortgage, pay property’s tax or vital insurance for the contents. This is, perhaps, not most consideration cos they totally have a right to decide what happen to their place. For instance, people does not confuse about painting house (with any color coordination), growing plants in the garden, spend much money on buying electrical appliances and so forth. I am quite sure that persons are not preoccupied with checking landlord’s opinion. These might occur in many people, as usually called tenants, at whom are renting house to stay.
As for tenants, it is obvious to me that they might leave under little pressure. People could have a major headache because of a broken sink or stove. Either maintaining or replacing is to wait for final decision of household. In fact that a host could seek compensation from a tenant and sometimes it could overstate. Besides that, tenants cannot expect landlords to keep their promise about the period of renting time. Both of them have a tenancy contract agreement which does not mean to be renewed when it ends as for sure. Thus, things occur in life, might depend on the other’s decision at certain extent.
All things considered above, my choice is clear – I would rather purchasing a place where I can make it become very special as exactly as what it sounds like, “my home”.
Hi Thao!
Good work on your answer – careful with some vocab/grammar like people, a better way, happier life, etc.
Your ideas are clear though there are informal parts as well.
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
Thanks!
Here is the one that I had written:
Many people, especially in countries where land area is scarce, will contend that owning a home is very important. While there are several reasons why owning a home is critical, not always do we find that it is the best option.
There are several reasons why owning a home is preferable. Firstly, it will guarantee a sense of financial freedom once someone has bought the house because they will no longer feel the burden to pay monthly rent. Secondly, even if there is a crisis, for example, if someone loses their job, they will not have to worry too much since the home is their own, which also acts as an asset. And in cases, where they need to move somewhere else, they always have the option to sell their house and move to their desired location, or just rent it out. Therefore, it’s clear why owning a home seems to be very important for many.
However, even after considering the advantages to this which makes it seem like this is a very positive development, there are certain drawbacks that need to be addressed. Firstly, everyone having their own home means that more land is being utilized to house a family, whereas if that same land were to be used by builders to form a 20-story building, it could house much more people. This is beneficial for the whole community as rent will go down as land utilization is higher. Also, sometimes people think that buying a home, by taking a bank loan will make them profit in the long run, but fail to realize that they will be paying installments every month to the bank and if anything goes wrong at any point in time, then they could end up in a troubling financial situation.
In conclusion, while there are positive aspects of buying a home, there are also certain disadvantages that undermine its utilitarian purpose in the aggregate.
— Not sure what I meant by that last sentence, does it make any sense?
It is a little wordy with that last sentence and somewhat unclear – try not to put in too much academic language like that bunched together.
Otherwise good work!