In this living alone essay, you have to examine the trend for more people to live by themselves rather than other people.
IELTS essay questions tend to deal with current topics that are being debated and discussed, and this is a good example of this.
It is another representation of the general trend towards individualism in society.
Remember you should start by examining the question very carefully.
| In recent times, many people are making the decision to live alone. What are the causes of this? Does it have positive or negatives effects on society? |
Ensuring You Address the Task
You should first note that there are two tasks that need to be addressed:
- The causes
- The negative / positive impacts on society
You must address all these things.
Living Alone
You should also have noted that it says effects on society. So you should not be talking about impacts on the individual (or if you do, you should explain how it will then impact society).
You could do three body paragraphs in the living alone essay:
- one on the causes
- one on the positive effects
- one on the negative.
Or you could just split it into two body paragraphs.
However, you don’t have to write about positive and negative effects if you don’t want to. It says negative or positive, so you could decide it is one or the other.
You should make those decisions after you have brainstormed your ideas. If you can only think of negative effects then fine, just write about those and make sure your opinion states that.
Now, take a look at the model answer. In the model, positive and negative effects are discussed, so the opinon is that there are both.
IELTS Living Alone Essay
| You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: In recent times, many people are making the decision to live alone. What are the causes of this? Does it have positive or negative effects on society? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge. Write at least 250 words. |
Model Answer
There has been a tendency in many countries over recent years for more people of all ages to choose to live alone. This essay will discuss the reasons for this and explain why this can have both advantages and disadvantages for society.
One reason for this trend is economic. People are generally more affluent than in the past, and this means that they can afford to make the choice to live alone, something not always possible in the past. In addition to this, there are also cultural factors. There used to be more pressure to marry young and think about having a family. Now though, people desire self-fulfilment and will marry later or divorce if their marriage is not happy. Also, the developments in communication technology, such as social media, mean that people can live alone but still feel connected to others.
I would argue that this development has positive and negative impacts on society. A positive impact is that those individuals who are young and single have helped to revitalize cities around the world, as they are more likely to live in central locations and socialize, spend money, and participate in public life than those living with others. However, a drawback is that some people living alone who experience problems may not have an outlet to talk about them. This lack of social support could lead to more mental health problems in the general population, which would need to be dealt with by public health care services.
To conclude, economic and cultural factors, and changes in communication have resulted in more people living alone, and, although this has benefits to society, there are also negative impacts.
(277 Words)
Evaluation:
Task Achievement: Band 8
The essay effectively addresses the question by exploring reasons for the trend of living alone (economic, cultural, and technological factors) and discussing its advantages and disadvantages. Examples such as “revitalize cities” and “developments in communication technology” are relevant and strengthen the analysis. However, the essay could be improved by providing more specific examples or data to support the claims, such as statistics on mental health issues or urban revitalization due to single living.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.5
The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs discussing reasons, advantages, and disadvantages, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices like “in addition to this,” “however,” and “to conclude” effectively link ideas. The logical flow between paragraphs and within them is smooth, maintaining coherence throughout.
Lexical Resource: Band 8
The essay demonstrates a good range of vocabulary, with terms like “self-fulfillment,” “revitalize cities,” and “social support.” Synonyms and varied phrasing are used appropriately. While the vocabulary is strong, it could be enhanced by including more specific or advanced terms related to sociology or urban studies.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5
The grammar is accurate and varied, with a mix of complex and compound sentences. Structures such as “People are generally more affluent than in the past” and “This lack of social support could lead to more mental health problems” show a solid command of grammar. There are no noticeable errors, but further use of more sophisticated grammatical constructions could elevate the score further.
Word Count: 287 words
The essay stays within the recommended word range and is concise while covering all aspects of the task.
Overall Band: 8.5
This essay is well-written and thoroughly addresses the topic. To reach Band 9, the essay could include more detailed examples or data to support its points and use a slightly broader range of advanced vocabulary. Additionally, a deeper exploration of the societal implications, such as economic strain or cultural shifts, would add depth to the analysis.
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