Climate change and its impacts on urban areas have become increasingly prominent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exam questions, this theme appears in approximately 15% of environment-related tasks, particularly in 2022-2023. Let’s examine one frequently occurring question type and explore sample essays across different band scores.
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The effects of climate change on housing represents one of the most significant challenges facing urban planners today. Here’s a recent IELTS task that addresses this critical issue:
Some people believe that climate change will have a devastating impact on cities worldwide in the coming decades. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
Analysis of the Question
- Task Type: Opinion (Agree/Disagree)
- Key Elements: Climate change, urban impact, future perspective
- Requirements: Clear position, supporting reasons, relevant examples
Band 9 Sample Essay
Rising global temperatures and extreme weather patterns pose an unprecedented threat to urban areas worldwide. I completely agree that climate change will severely impact cities, primarily through infrastructure damage, public health risks, and economic disruption.
Firstly, climate change directly threatens urban infrastructure through various mechanisms. The impact of climate change on infrastructure is evident in the increasing frequency of extreme weather events that damage buildings, roads, and utility systems. For instance, rising sea levels in coastal metropolises like Mumbai and Bangkok have already led to severe flooding, compromising sewage systems and transportation networks.
Moreover, climate change significantly affects public health in urban environments. Heat islands in densely populated areas intensify temperature-related illnesses, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children. Cities like Tokyo and Seoul have reported increasing cases of heat stress during summer months, leading to higher mortality rates and strain on healthcare systems.
The economic implications are equally concerning. The effects of climate change on coastal cities demonstrate how climate-related disasters can paralyze commercial activities and require massive investment in protective infrastructure. For example, New York City allocated billions of dollars for climate resilience projects following Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact.
In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the prediction that climate change will severely impact urban areas through multiple interconnected challenges. This requires immediate action in urban planning and climate adaptation strategies.
(Word count: 275)
Band 7 Sample Essay
I strongly agree that climate change will have serious consequences for cities around the world in the coming years. This essay will discuss the main impacts through environmental and social perspectives.
Climate change creates significant environmental problems for urban areas. The role of deforestation in climate change shows how reduced green spaces in cities contribute to higher temperatures and air pollution. For example, Beijing often experiences severe smog due to the combined effects of industrial emissions and reduced natural cooling from vegetation.
Additionally, social problems arise from climate change in cities. More people are forced to move from rural areas affected by extreme weather, causing overcrowding in urban centers. This migration creates pressure on housing, jobs, and public services. For instance, many Bangladesh citizens have moved to Dhaka due to coastal flooding, leading to increased urban poverty.
Therefore, I believe climate change will severely affect cities through both environmental damage and social challenges. Governments must take action to protect urban areas from these impacts.
(Word count: 265)
Key Vocabulary
- unprecedented (adj) /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ – never known or done before
- infrastructure (n) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – basic physical systems of a country
- mitigation (n) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – reducing the severity of something
- resilience (n) /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – ability to recover from difficulties
- vulnerable (adj) /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ – susceptible to harm
High-scoring Sentence Patterns
- Complex Cause-Effect: “Rising global temperatures and extreme weather patterns pose an unprecedented threat to urban areas worldwide.”
- Parallel Structure: “This requires immediate action in urban planning and climate adaptation strategies.”
- Conditional with Multiple Clauses: “If cities fail to implement adequate adaptation measures, they will face increasingly severe challenges in maintaining infrastructure, protecting public health, and ensuring economic stability.”
For practice, write your own essay addressing this topic and share it in the comments section. Focus on developing clear arguments and using appropriate academic vocabulary.