This is a real question from the IELTS test about overpopulation in Asia in June 2018. I am a real (former) IELTS examiner. You are reading this.

Those are all the facts, let’s get into my opinions now!

Read below for my sample answer, analysis, practice activities, notes, links, and more!

Check out my other samples answers here.

Here is a Task 1 sample answer about populations.

If you need some help brainstorming ideas for this topic: https://howtodoielts.com/how-to-brainstorm-ideas-10-amazing…/

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The recent questions from the IELTS writing task 2 exam are here, task 1 is here and the speaking questions and topics are here.

Dave

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Overpopulation

Traffic and housing problems in major cities could be solved by moving companies, factories and their employees to the countryside. Do you agree or disagree?

Many people claim that moving companies, factories and their employees from cities to the countryside might ameliorate some of the worst traffic and housing issues. I strongly believe that this is a suitable solution for those two particular city problems.

Moving the facilities of major corporations to the countryside will reduce traffic problems by encouraging more people to live in the countryside for their work. It is widely known that more people live in cities today than ever before and this has caused terrible traffic. For example, in Beijing it is not uncommon for gridlocked motorways to delay motorists for hours. Travelers depend on getting in to Beijing for their livelihood but if their jobs were in the countryside, or a nearby suburb, they could live outside the city and reduce traffic. This would have a major impact on overcrowded cities like Beijing that lose billions of dollars a year because of time wasted in traffic jams, according to recent research.

Moving factories and employees to the countryside will also help to mitigate housing issues in cities. In many developing countries, the rush of people from the country to the city has necessitated the construction of massive skyscrapers. A lot of these underdeveloped cities such as Mexico City and Lagos do not have the sophisticated infrastructure including efficient plumbing, clean water and trash collection that is needed to service a concentrated population. By moving jobs and people to the countryside, developing countries will have more time to improve their infrastructure to deal with surging urban populations.

In conclusion, moving people to the countryside will help to reduce traffic and housing problems, especially in developing countries. If more governments studied this closely and enacted laws to encourage people to move, it would greatly improve the quality of life for everyone living in the city.

IELTS Sample Answer Analysis

1. Many people claim that moving companies, factories and their employees from cities to the countryside might ameliorate some of the worst traffic and housing issues. 2. I strongly believe that this is a suitable solution for those two particular city problems.

1. In the first sentence, I simply paraphrase the topic. Don’t waste time on this sentence, write it as quickly as possible.

2. In the second sentence, I state my opinion. It is essential to do this or you will be limited to a 5 for task achievement (you can wait until the conclusion to include your opinion if you want).

1. Moving the facilities of major corporations to the countryside will reduce traffic problems by encouraging more people to live in the countryside for their work. 2. It is widely known that more people live in cities today than ever before and this has caused terrible traffic. 3. For example, in Beijing it is not uncommon for gridlocked motorways to delay motorists for hours. 4. Travelers depend on getting in to Beijing for their livelihood but if their jobs were in the countryside, or a nearby suburb, they could live outside the city and reduce traffic. 5. This would have a major impact on overcrowded cities like Beijing that lose billions of dollars a year because of time wasted in traffic jams, according to recent research.

1. In the first sentence, I write a topic sentence about how people leaving the city will help reduce traffic.

2. In my second sentence, I explain that people in cities now cause traffic.

3. In my third sentence, I give the example of Beijing where the traffic is really bad.

4. In my fourth sentence, I claim that the traffic would be better if people in cities like that lived and worked outside the city.

5. In my fifth sentence, I describe how reducing traffic will also help cities to save money and cite (fake) research.

1. Moving factories and employees to the countryside will also help to mitigate housing issues in cities. 2. In many developing countries, the rush of people from the country to the city has necessitated the construction of massive skyscrapers. 3. A lot of these underdeveloped cities such as Mexico City and Lagos do not have the sophisticated infrastructure including efficient plumbing, clean water and trash collection that is needed to service a concentrated population. 4. By moving jobs and people to the countryside, developing countries will have more time to improve their infrastructure to deal with surging urban populations.

1. In my first sentence, I write a topic sentence saying that moving out of cities will help solve housing problems.

2. In my second sentence, I claim that developing countries have to deal with rushes of people.

3. In my third sentence, I detail how this can be a problem because developing countries aren’t ready for increased populations.

4. In my fourth sentence, I add that if there were more people in the countryside, cities would have more time to deal with those problems.

1. In conclusion, moving people to the countryside will help to reduce traffic and housing problems, especially in developing countries. 2. If more governments studied this closely and enacted laws to encourage people to move, it would greatly improve the quality of life for everyone living in the city.

1. In my first sentence, I summarise my opinion and main ideas.

2. In my second sentence, I suggest that governments should look closely at this issue in order to improve the quality of life for everyone living in a city.

IELTS Sample Answer Vocabulary

Take some notes on the following vocabulary. Write down what you think each word means and a sample sentence and then check your answers below.

Many people claim that moving companies, factories and their employees from cities to the countryside might ameliorate some of the worst traffic and housing issues. I strongly believe that this is a suitable solution for those two particular city problems.

Moving the facilities of major corporations to the countryside will reduce traffic problems by encouraging more people to live in the countryside for their work. It is widely known that more people live in cities today than ever before and this has caused terrible traffic. For example, in Beijing it is not uncommon for gridlocked motorways to delay motorists for hours. Travelers depend on getting in to Beijing for their livelihood but if their jobs were in the countryside, or a nearby suburb, they could live outside the city and reduce traffic. This would have a major impact on overcrowded cities like Beijing that lose billions of dollars a year because of time wasted in traffic jams, according to recent research.

Moving factories and employees to the countryside will also help to mitigate housing issues in cities. In many developing countries, the rush of people from the country to the city has necessitated  the construction of massive skyscrapers. A lot of these underdeveloped cities such as Mexico City and Lagos do not have the sophisticated infrastructure including efficient plumbing, clean water and trash collection that is needed to service a concentrated population. By moving jobs and people to the countryside, developing countries will have more time to improve their infrastructure to deal with surging urban populations.

In conclusion, moving people to the countryside will help to reduce traffic and housing problems, especially in developing countries. If more governments studied this closely and enacted laws to encourage people to move, it would greatly improve the quality of life for everyone living in the city.

Answers

ameliorate: to make better (There’s no way to ameliorate this situation), a very formal/academic word – not used when speaking

It is widely known: many people know or are aware of something

it is not uncommon: another way to say something is common

gridlocked motorways: streets so full of traffic that they can’t move

depend: relies on

livelihood: the money that you make/your job

major impact: big influence/effect

overcrowded: lots of people (too many!)

according to recent research: studies have shown

mitigate: help to balance out or stop

the rush of people: lots of people doing something at once

skyscrapers: very, very tall buildings in big cities

sophisticated infrastructure: complex roads, water systems, plumbing, etc.

efficient plumbing: the system of toilets, waste and sewage in a town or city

clean water: water that is not dirty

trash collection: picking up trash by sending trash trucks around

concentrated population: lots of people in a small area of land

surging urban populations: rapidly increasing numbers of people in the city

enacted laws: pass/make laws

quality of life: how good/bad your life is

Links to Videos and Articles about Overpopulation

Cause, Effects and Solutions for Overpopulation

How Many People Can Our Planet Really Support?

Overpopulation (Kids Britannica)

The Biggest Threat to the Earth is Kids

Watch the video above and comment below – Should we be worried about overpopulation or not?

Comment Below: Is your city/town overcrowded?

Yes it is, there’s way too many…

Not really. In my city…

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