Task 2
In many countries, people are choosing to live alone instead of living with family or roommates. Why is this happening? Do you think it is a positive or negative trend?
Model Essay + Lesson (Band 9)
Introduction
More and more individuals today are choosing to live alone, even when living with others could reduce costs and provide emotional support. This trend is the result of increasing economic independence and shifting cultural values. Although living alone offers freedom, this essay argues that the long-term consequences for mental health and social cohesion make it a negative development.
Why This Introduction Works
- Strong Situation Sentence: “More and more individuals today are choosing to live alone…”
- Clear Position: “this essay argues that…”
- No generic phrases like “some people believe…” or “this is a controversial topic.”
- Topic clearly defined in the first sentence.
- Writer’s voice is present from the start.
Body Paragraph 1: Causes
One main reason more people are living alone is growing economic independence. In the past, young adults often relied on family for financial support and stayed at home longer. Today, with more career opportunities and higher income levels—especially in urban areas—many feel capable of managing life without shared housing. Another contributing factor is cultural change. In some societies, independence is now celebrated as a marker of success, and people are encouraged to prioritize personal goals over collective living.
Body Paragraph 2: Evaluation
Despite the appeal of independence, the consequences of solo living are often overlooked. Research consistently links isolation to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. For example, a study in the UK found that people living alone were 40% more likely to report feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, long-term solo living can weaken community bonds. When people live alone, they often engage less in local events and shared responsibilities, which reduces overall social trust and connection.
Conclusion
While solo living may offer personal freedom, the long-term impact on mental health and social cohesion makes this a worrying trend. In the future, governments and communities may need to encourage new forms of shared living that balance independence with connection.
Task Response (Band 9)
| Feature | Explanation |
| Full answer to both parts | Reasons are explained in Body 1; evaluation in Body 2 |
| Clear opinion | Present in introduction and supported throughout |
| Specific examples | The UK mental health example grounds the essay in real-world insight |
| No off-topic ideas | Each point is directly relevant to the task |
Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9)
| Feature | Example |
| Clear paragraphing | Intro → Reason paragraph → Evaluation paragraph → Conclusion |
| Logical progression | Each sentence builds naturally on the last |
| Linking phrases | “One main reason…”, “Another contributing factor…”, “Despite the appeal…” |
Lexical Resource (Band 9)
| High-Scoring Vocabulary | Definition / Explanation |
| economic independence | being able to support oneself financially |
| shifting cultural values | changing ideas about what is important in society |
| mental health problems | emotional or psychological challenges |
| social cohesion | the strength of relationships and sense of solidarity in a community |
| solo living / living alone | alternate phrases to avoid repetition |
Vocabulary Focus: Precision & Variety
Too many students repeat “live alone” or “independence.” This essay uses:
- live alone / solo living / solo households
- independence / autonomy / self-sufficiency
- problem / consequence / drawback
💡 Lesson tip: Always group synonyms in your notebook. For example:
“Live alone” = live independently, solo lifestyle, single-occupancy housing
Grammar Point: Complex Cause and Effect
Students often use “because” too much. A high-scoring essay uses a range of cause-and-effect structures.
Grammar Upgrade Pattern:
Basic: “People live alone because they earn more.”
Advanced: “As income levels rise, many feel capable of managing life without shared housing.”
Teaching Focus:
- Use “as,” “due to,” “with,” and participle clauses to vary cause/effect language.
- Avoid overusing “because” in every sentence.
How I Created This Lesson
- Started with the IELTS Band Descriptors: Focused on what examiners want: full response, clear opinion, progression of ideas, advanced grammar and vocabulary.
- Avoided cliché openers: Used a powerful first sentence to set context and show the issue clearly.
- Built around transmission clarity: Each paragraph flows cleanly from cause → effect → evaluation → resolution.
- Chose a vocabulary set that can be reused in multiple essay types (health, culture, society).
- Wrote it to model confidence: The student owns the answer. No hesitation. No hiding behind vague phrases.
Final Takeaway
You don’t need to sound like a professor. You need to sound like a clear thinker.
Use real-world examples, develop your ideas step by step, and own your position with clarity and confidence. You’ll stand out.
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