IELTS Academic Writing - Task 2

The continued rise in the world’s population is the greatest problem faced by humanity at the present time.

What are the causes of this continued rise?

Do you agree that it is the greatest problem faced by humanity?

The world is overpopulated and continues to rise in certain parts of Africa and Asia. This may be due to cultural or religious reasons, policies supporting growth or lack of family planning. Rapid population growth puts a strain on resources that are already limited.

To begin with, some cultures support and take great pleasure in having large families that will support and provide for them in old age. This is particularly true of farming communities where family members can help out on the farm. What is more, some governments try to increase the population of a country by providing incentives and benefits to large families. This may occur if there is an ageing population and a country is hoping for a young workforce. Finally, some countries may lack appropriate family planning facilities or citizens may not be educated enough or might even be too poor to have access to medical care.

Large populations lead to many problems. Firstly, resources are limited as are food and drinking water. This results in poverty and starvation in poor countries. We also destroy the environment in an effort to provide housing and services for a growing population. More people are living in cities than ever before leading to overcrowding, high crime levels and other related problems.

Although having a large family may be attractive and beneficial for individuals we should not forget the problems that arise because of this.  Humanity suffers from poverty, poor living standards, crime, limited resources and pollution when the population rises.

Question taken from The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS for Academic and General Training p.283

IELTS Academic Writing - Task 1

The two diagrams highlight the changes that have taken place in Stokeford village over an 80 year period.

In 1930, there was an area dedicated to farmland south of the village, along the River Stoke as well as the area close to the bridge. There were shops and houses on both sides of the main road. A primary school was located opposite the post office. Next to the primary school there was an estate with gardens and a large house.

In 2010, the farmlands no longer existed. More roads were built branching out of the main road. Even though the post office remains unchanged, the shops have been replaced by housing. The primary school is in the same location but it has been extended. The gardens of the retirement home have been reduced while the buildings are now larger. Many more houses have been built along the road where the gardens once were. On the other side of the road, the houses almost reach the river and a road has been built in the shape of a square so that the houses can be reached.

Overall, Stokeford has been developed into a residential area with more housing and less farmland.

Question taken from The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS for Academic and General Training p.283