IELTS Band 9 Essay About more people are moving into mega-cities with a 20 million population
Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “more people are moving into mega-cities with a 20”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in 2025.
Sample Answer (Band 9)
More people are moving into mega-cities with a 20 million population.
Is this a negative or positive development?
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
In recent years, the growing trend of people relocating to mega-cities with populations exceeding 20 million has sparked considerable debate. While some argue that this development drives economic growth and cultural enrichment, others contend that it exacerbates urban problems. This essay will examine both sides of the argument before presenting my view that the negative consequences outweigh the positive aspects.
On the positive side, large urban centers serve as engines of economic progress. Mega-cities attract businesses, investors, and talented individuals, creating a dynamic environment where innovation flourishes. The high population density fosters synergistic interactions among people from various backgrounds, leading to cultural diversity and social exchange. Moreover, residents in such cities typically have access to superior infrastructure, world-class educational institutions, and cutting-edge healthcare services, all of which can enhance their quality of life. For example, cities like Tokyo and New York have become global hubs for finance, technology, and education, offering numerous opportunities to their inhabitants.
However, the rapid and often unplanned expansion of mega-cities can result in significant downsides. One major concern is the strain on urban infrastructure, including transportation, housing, and public services. Overcrowding leads to increased traffic congestion, rising property prices, and inadequate sanitation systems, which collectively diminish the livability of these cities. Additionally, environmental degradation is a pressing issue, as higher population densities contribute to pollution and resource depletion. Mega-cities are often characterized by elevated levels of air and noise pollution, negatively affecting public health. For instance, cities such as Mumbai and Jakarta struggle with severe air quality issues, which can lead to long-term respiratory problems.
Furthermore, social inequality tends to be more pronounced in mega-cities. While some residents thrive, others face poor living conditions in informal settlements or slums. The unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities fosters social tension and crime, further deteriorating the urban environment.
In conclusion, while mega-cities can offer economic opportunities and cultural vibrancy, they also bring numerous challenges related to infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Given the severity of these issues, I believe that the negative impacts of this trend are more significant. Therefore, policymakers should focus on sustainable urban planning and equitable resource distribution to mitigate these adverse effects.
Vocabulary in the sample for more people are moving into mega-cities with a 20 million population
- Synergistic /ˌsɪnəˈdʒɪstɪk/
Example: The synergistic interactions in large urban centers promote innovation and creativity. - Quality of life /ˈkwɒlɪti əv laɪf/
Example: Access to better healthcare and education improves the overall quality of life in mega-cities. - Livability /ˌlɪvəˈbɪlɪti/
Example: Overcrowding and pollution often reduce the livability of major urban areas. - Degradation /ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/
Example: Rapid urbanization can cause severe environmental degradation. - Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/
Example: Social inequality is a growing issue in densely populated cities.
Advanced Grammatical Structures
- Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
Example: While some argue that this development drives economic growth and cultural enrichment, others contend that it exacerbates urban problems.
Explanation: Complex sentences with subordinate clauses provide clarity and contrast, which strengthens the argument. - Nominalization
Example: The unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities fosters social tension and crime.
Explanation: Nominalization increases formality by transforming verbs into nouns, improving academic tone. - Passive Voice
Example: The rapid and often unplanned expansion of mega-cities can result in significant downsides.
Explanation: Passive voice is used to emphasize the action and its consequences rather than the doer. - Use of Modal Verbs
Example: Policymakers should focus on sustainable urban planning and equitable resource distribution to mitigate these adverse effects.
Explanation: Modal verbs add a persuasive tone and offer recommendations. Cause-and-effect Linking Phrases
Example: Overcrowding leads to increased traffic congestion, rising property prices, and inadequate sanitation systems.
Explanation: Cause-and-effect phrases help in logically connecting ideas, which is essential for task response.
Free IELTS Sample Essays with Answers PDF
Here you can download over a 1000 sample essays in pdf written by ex ielts examiners: PDF 1 / PDF 2 / PDF 3 / PDF 4 / PDF 5
Last But Not Least!
We suggest a useful IELTS website in English for more valuable IELTS sample essays on a range of topics. Our final suggestion is our writing free correction Telegram channel where you can send your own sample for evaluation and correction by an experience IELTS tutor with over a decade of practical experience in this matter.
