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IELTS Writing Task 2 topics: Cities
Most city questions ask why people keep moving to big cities and what that growth does to housing and traffic. Others ask how a city should use its land and money.
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- OpinionBanning cars from city centresCars should be banned from city centres to reduce pollution and congestion.
- DiscussionCity life vs countryside lifeSome people prefer to live in a big city, while others think living in the countryside is better.
- Problem and solutionUnaffordable city housingIn many large cities, housing has become so expensive that young people cannot afford to buy or rent their own homes.
- DiscussionOld buildings vs new onesSome people think that old buildings in cities should be preserved. Others believe they should be demolished to make way for modern developments.
- OpinionGreen spaces in citiesEvery city should set aside a large part of its land for parks and green spaces, even if this means fewer buildings.
- Advantages and disadvantagesHigh-rise apartment blocksMany cities are building more and more high-rise apartment blocks to house their growing populations.
- OpinionSurveillance cameras and crimeInstalling surveillance cameras in all public places is the best way to reduce crime in cities.
- Two-part questionMoving from villages to citiesMore and more people are leaving villages and small towns to live in large cities.
- OpinionDo we still need librariesPublic libraries are no longer needed in cities because people can find all the information they need online.
- Problem and solutionNoise and light pollutionNoise and light pollution are becoming serious problems for people living in large cities.
- Two-part questionSaving water in citiesIn many cities, the demand for water is rising and supplies are under pressure.
- DiscussionWhere to build shopping mallsSome people think that new shopping centres should be built in the centre of towns. Others prefer to build them outside the town.
- OpinionCharging tourists moreForeign tourists should be charged more than local residents for entry to museums, parks and historic sites.
- Advantages and disadvantagesCar-free city areasSome cities are making large areas car-free and giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Two-part questionCrowded citiesCities in many parts of the world are becoming increasingly crowded.
- Two-part questionWeak community spiritIn big cities, many people do not know their neighbours and feel little connection to the local community.
- OpinionArts venues vs sports stadiumsGovernments should spend city funds on theatres, museums and public art rather than on sports stadiums.
- Opinion24-hour shops and venuesShops, restaurants and entertainment venues in cities should be allowed to stay open twenty-four hours a day.
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