Questions and sample answers
What are the advantages of living in a big city?
Cities offer more jobs, better education and entertainment. Public transport is usually better too, so you can reach almost anywhere without a car.
And the disadvantages?
Housing is expensive, the air is polluted and the pace of life is stressful. Noise and traffic can also make it difficult to relax, even at home.
Why are so many people moving from villages to cities?
Mostly for work and education. Young people feel that opportunities are limited in the countryside, so they move to cities to build their careers.
How can cities be improved?
By adding more green spaces, better public transport and affordable housing. Cycle lanes and pedestrian areas would also reduce traffic and make streets more pleasant.
Do you think people will want to live in the countryside in the future?
Possibly, as remote work grows. If people can work from anywhere, many will choose quieter places with cheaper homes and cleaner air.
Useful vocabulary
- urbanisation — growth of cities
- affordable housing — homes people can pay for
- green space — parks and gardens in a city
- pedestrian area — a zone for walking
- cost of living — how much everyday life costs
- rural — in the countryside
- amenities — useful facilities like shops and schools
Tips for this topic
- Give advantages and disadvantages in separate sentences.
- Suggest realistic improvements.
- Use “as” or “if” to explain future trends.
Study guides
How Is IELTS Scored in Speaking and Writing? Criteria, Weighting and Rounding
The short answer first, then the Speaking and Writing criteria tables, how Task 1 and Task 2 combine and how the overall band is rounded.
IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Explained in Plain English
The IELTS Speaking test is marked on four criteria. Here is what each one means at bands 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with short examples you can compare with your own answers.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: How Many Minutes to Speak (With a Practice Timer)
How long Part 2 lasts (1 minute to prepare, 1–2 minutes to speak), a practice timer, a four-step structure and a model answer.