IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays: The Effects of Climate Change on Housing (Band 6-9)

Climate change and its impacts on housing have become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on analysis of past exam questions and current global trends, this topic has appeared in various forms over the past five years and is likely to remain relevant for future tests.

How climate change is driving migration patterns demonstrates the broader context of this issue, as housing challenges are closely linked to climate-induced displacement.

Let’s examine a recent IELTS Task 2 question:

Some people believe that climate change will force many communities to abandon their current homes and relocate to other areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Analysis of the Question

This question requires candidates to:

• Express their opinion on climate change’s impact on housing
• Support their viewpoints with relevant examples
• Discuss both immediate and long-term effects
• Consider various affected communities

Climate change impacts on coastal residential areas showing flooding and erosion

Sample Essay (Band 8-9)

Climate change’s devastating impact on human settlements is becoming increasingly evident, and I strongly agree that it will force significant population displacement in the coming decades. This essay will explore why climate-related migration is inevitable and examine its implications for affected communities.

Firstly, rising sea levels pose an existential threat to coastal settlements worldwide. Cities like Jakarta and Miami are already experiencing regular flooding, forcing authorities to consider relocating millions of residents. Similar to urbanization’s effects on natural ecosystems, these climate-induced migrations will create additional environmental pressures in destination areas.

Moreover, extreme weather events are making certain regions uninhabitable. The increasing frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean and droughts in sub-Saharan Africa has already triggered mass migrations. These climate refugees must abandon their homes and seek safer locations, often crossing borders in search of stability.

However, the effects extend beyond immediate physical displacement. Communities facing relocation must grapple with economic losses, cultural disruption, and the challenge of rebuilding elsewhere. The psychological impact of leaving ancestral homes and established communities cannot be understated.

In conclusion, climate change will undoubtedly force significant population movements, requiring unprecedented international cooperation to manage these migrations humanely and effectively.

Climate refugees in temporary housing settlements showing adaptation challenges

Sample Essay (Band 6-7)

I agree that climate change will make many people move from their homes to other places. This is happening now and will continue in the future.

One main reason is that some places are becoming too dangerous to live in. For example, people living near the sea face problems with flooding. When the sea level rises, their houses get damaged, and they have to move. Also, in some countries, there are more storms and natural disasters than before.

Another problem is that farming becomes difficult in some areas because of climate change. When farmers cannot grow food anymore, they must find new places to live and work. This is similar to The effects of urban sprawl on the environment and society, where people must adapt to changing conditions.

These moves create many problems. People lose their homes and jobs. They also lose their connection to their community. Sometimes they must move to different countries, which is very difficult.

In conclusion, I believe climate change will force many people to move because their current homes will become unsafe or unsuitable for living.

Key Vocabulary

1. Existential threat (n) /ɪɡˈzɪstənʃəl θret/ – A danger to existence
2. Uninhabitable (adj) /ʌnɪnˈhæbɪtəbl/ – Not suitable for living
3. Displacement (n) /dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ – Forced movement from home
4. Ancestral (adj) /ænˈsestrəl/ – Relating to ancestors
5. Grapple with (v) /ˈɡræpl wɪð/ – To struggle with a problem

High-scoring Sentence Patterns

1. Complex Causation: “The increasing frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean and droughts in sub-Saharan Africa has already triggered mass migrations.”

   • Formula: [Subject + present perfect + result]

2. Parallel Structure: “Communities facing relocation must grapple with economic losses, cultural disruption, and the challenge of rebuilding elsewhere.”

   • Formula: [Subject + must + verb + with + list of parallel elements]

Feel free to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section. Focus on incorporating the vocabulary and sentence patterns provided above to enhance your writing skills.