Some people think rapid population growth in cities benefits people who live there, while others believe that it has negative impacts.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think rapid population growth in cities benefits people who live there, while others believe that it has negative impacts.

Rapid population growth in cities benefits or has negative impacts - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 8 · 274 words.

There is a view that rapid urban population growth drives development and benefits local residents, whereas others believe its consequences are largely negative. Although a surge in population can stimulate the urban economy and improve services, I maintain that its negative impacts outweigh the benefits if cities fail to expand their infrastructure accordingly.

On the one hand, a growing population can significantly boost a city's development. An influx of residents often drives economic growth by fueling business activity, consumption, and innovation. This economic expansion, in turn, allows for greater investment in public services, transport, and education, making urban infrastructure more advanced. Additionally, rapid population growth attracts people from diverse backgrounds, resulting in a rich cultural diversity that enhances the social fabric of the city.

However, rapid growth also presents severe challenges. The most prominent of these is environmental degradation, including air, noise, and waste pollution. Managing these issues is incredibly expensive and requires complex solutions to prevent long-term ecological damage. Furthermore, high population density inevitably leads to housing shortages. To meet this demand, cities often convert green spaces into residential areas, significantly reducing the quality of life for residents.

In my opinion, the negative impacts of rapid growth will always override the benefits unless proactive steps are taken. Instead of trying to limit migration, municipal governments must implement forward-thinking policies and aggressively expand public infrastructure—such as housing and transit—to accommodate new residents.

In conclusion, while rapid population growth can stimulate economic and cultural vitality, it also threatens to overwhelm local environments and resources. I strongly believe that unless governments proactively upgrade infrastructure to match this growth, the overall impact on residents will remain negative.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptionally well-written essay that addresses the prompt comprehensively. It demonstrates a high level of control over both lexical and grammatical features, supported by clear, logical organization and a consistent, well-argued position.

Task Response - 8

- The essay fully addresses all parts of the prompt, exploring both the benefits and negative impacts of rapid urban growth. - The position is clearly articulated and maintained throughout the response. - Ideas are well-supported with relevant examples, demonstrating a mature approach to the topic.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- The essay follows a clear, logical progression from introduction to body paragraphs to conclusion. - Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'However,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In addition' are used effectively to link ideas. - Paragraphing is well-managed, with each paragraph focusing on a central topic.

Lexical Resource - 8

- The vocabulary is sophisticated and precise, using terms like 'social fabric,' 'environmental degradation,' and 'proactive' in correct collocations. - The language is natural, fluent, and conveys precise meanings throughout the essay. - There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- Uses a wide range of complex structures with high accuracy. - The sentences are fluid and show excellent control over punctuation and grammar. - There are virtually no errors present, demonstrating a high level of mastery.

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