IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution — Housing Prices: Band 9 Sample & Analysis

Quick Summary

Housing affordability has become one of the most pressing social and economic challenges in developed countries, making it a frequent topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 problem-solution essays. This comprehensive guide provides a complete Band 9 sample answer with detailed expert analysis, demonstrating sophisticated economic reasoning, advanced vocabulary usage, and perfect essay architecture.

The sample essay addresses core housing affordability challenges including market speculation, supply constraints, and income-price disparities while proposing comprehensive solutions involving policy reforms, supply-side interventions, and demand management strategies. Expert analysis reveals exactly why this response achieves Band 9 across all assessment criteria.

This guide provides invaluable insights into high-level economic essay construction, advanced real estate terminology, and sophisticated problem-solution development that candidates can apply to achieve their highest possible IELTS Writing scores in social and economic topics.

Understanding Band 9 writing standards through authentic housing examples enables targeted improvement and strategic preparation for urban planning and economic development topics.

Sample Question

In many cities around the world, housing prices have increased dramatically, making it difficult for young people and low-income families to buy homes. What problems does this situation cause and what measures can be taken to address this issue?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Band 9 Sample Answer

The escalating housing costs plaguing major urban centers worldwide have created a complex crisis that demands comprehensive policy intervention to restore market balance and social equity.

The housing affordability crisis generates profound social and economic consequences across multiple demographics. Most significantly, young adults face delayed homeownership and altered life planning, with average first-time buyer ages increasing from 25 to 33 over the past two decades in cities like London and Sydney. This demographic shift creates cascading effects including postponed family formation, reduced consumer spending on other goods, and increased intergenerational wealth inequality as property ownership becomes increasingly concentrated among older, wealthier populations. Furthermore, low-income families experience housing stress, spending over 50% of income on accommodation, which forces difficult choices between housing quality and other essential needs including education, healthcare, and nutrition. The broader economy suffers as essential workers including teachers, nurses, and service personnel cannot afford to live near employment centers, creating labor shortages and forcing lengthy commutes that reduce productivity while increasing transportation costs and environmental pollution.

However, coordinated government intervention can effectively address these challenges through supply-side and demand-side measures. Zoning reform represents the most impactful solution, as restrictive regulations often limit residential development density in urban areas where demand is highest. Cities like Tokyo have demonstrated success through flexible zoning policies that allow mixed-use development and higher residential densities, maintaining stable housing prices despite population growth. Additionally, governments can implement first-time buyer assistance programs including shared equity schemes and low-interest loans, similar to Singapore's Housing Development Board model that achieved 90% homeownership rates. Social housing construction and rent stabilization policies provide immediate relief for vulnerable populations while longer-term supply increases take effect. Finally, speculation taxes on foreign buyers and vacant properties, successfully implemented in Vancouver and Melbourne, can reduce investment-driven demand while generating revenue for affordable housing development.**

In conclusion, while housing affordability challenges create significant social disruption and economic inefficiency, comprehensive policy approaches combining supply expansion, targeted assistance, and demand management can restore accessible housing markets that support both economic growth and social cohesion.

Word count: 316

Expert Analysis: Why This Achieves Band 9

Task Response Analysis (Band 9)

Complete Question Coverage: The response thoroughly addresses both parts of the question by identifying specific problems (demographic impacts, economic consequences, social effects) and proposing comprehensive solutions (zoning reform, buyer assistance, speculation controls).

Sophisticated Problem Analysis: Goes beyond surface-level issues to explore complex consequences including intergenerational effects, labor market impacts, and broader economic ramifications.

Evidence-Based Solutions: Provides specific examples of successful policy implementations (Tokyo zoning, Singapore HDB, Vancouver speculation tax) demonstrating practical solution effectiveness.

Clear Progression: Maintains logical flow from problem identification through impact analysis to comprehensive solution development.

BabyCode Enhancement: Advanced Task Response Strategies

BabyCode's task response mastery system helps students understand how Band 9 responses demonstrate sophisticated analysis, evidence integration, and comprehensive coverage for maximum Task Response achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion Analysis (Band 9)

Sophisticated Paragraph Structure:

• Introduction: Context establishment and thesis statement
• Body 1: Comprehensive problem analysis with demographic, economic, and social dimensions
• Body 2: Multi-faceted solution framework with specific examples
• Conclusion: Synthesis and forward-looking statement

Advanced Cohesive Devices:

• "Most significantly" (priority signaling)
• "Furthermore" and "Additionally" (information building)
• "However, coordinated government intervention" (solution transition)
• "Finally" (solution completion)
• "In conclusion, while... comprehensive policy approaches" (synthesis)

Internal Paragraph Cohesion: Each paragraph maintains clear topic focus with supporting details building toward comprehensive analysis.

Lexical Resource Analysis (Band 9)

Sophisticated Economic Terminology:

Problem Description Vocabulary:

• "housing affordability crisis," "demographic shift," "cascading effects"
• "intergenerational wealth inequality," "housing stress," "labor shortages"
• "essential workers," "transportation costs," "environmental pollution"

Solution Vocabulary:

• "coordinated government intervention," "supply-side and demand-side measures"
• "zoning reform," "mixed-use development," "residential densities"
• "shared equity schemes," "social housing construction," "rent stabilization"
• "speculation taxes," "investment-driven demand," "revenue generation"

Advanced Real Estate Collocations:

• "escalating housing costs," "market balance," "social equity"
• "first-time buyer ages," "property ownership concentration," "housing quality"
• "employment centers," "flexible zoning policies," "affordable housing development"

BabyCode Enhancement: Advanced Vocabulary Application

BabyCode's lexical resource system provides extensive housing and urban planning vocabulary with contextual usage examples, helping students achieve sophisticated expression in economic and social topics.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy Analysis (Band 9)

Complex Grammatical Structures:

Multi-Clause Constructions: "Most significantly, young adults face delayed homeownership and altered life planning, with average first-time buyer ages increasing from 25 to 33 over the past two decades in cities like London and Sydney."

Causal and Conditional Relationships: "This demographic shift creates cascading effects including postponed family formation, reduced consumer spending on other goods, and increased intergenerational wealth inequality as property ownership becomes increasingly concentrated among older, wealthier populations."

Advanced Grammar Features:

• Present perfect continuous: "housing prices have increased"
• Complex relative clauses with embedded information
• Participial phrases: "spending over 50% of income on accommodation"
• Comparative structures: "from 25 to 33 over the past two decades"
• Conditional implications: "forces difficult choices between housing quality and other essential needs"

Error-Free Accuracy: Demonstrates consistent grammatical control throughout with no errors affecting clarity or meaning.

Vocabulary Analysis for Band 9 Achievement

Economics and Finance Terminology

Market Analysis Vocabulary:

• Market equilibrium, price dynamics, supply-demand imbalances
• Investment speculation, capital appreciation, market volatility
• Economic efficiency, resource allocation, market distortions
• Financial accessibility, lending criteria, mortgage availability

Policy and Regulation Terms:

• Government intervention, regulatory frameworks, policy implementation
• Zoning regulations, development restrictions, planning permissions
• Tax incentives, subsidy programs, revenue generation
• Market stabilization, demand management, supply enhancement

Social Impact Vocabulary:

• Demographic transitions, generational effects, social mobility
• Income inequality, wealth concentration, economic stratification
• Housing stress, accommodation burden, living standards
• Community displacement, social cohesion, neighborhood stability

BabyCode Enhancement: Comprehensive Economics Vocabulary

BabyCode's housing economics vocabulary system provides extensive terminology covering market analysis, policy mechanisms, and social impacts essential for sophisticated economic essay development.

Advanced Collocation Patterns

Problem Identification Collocations:

• "Escalating housing costs," "affordability crisis," "market imbalances"
• "Demographic shift," "cascading effects," "wealth inequality"
• "Housing stress," "essential workers," "labor shortages"
• "Economic consequences," "social disruption," "productivity reduction"

Solution Development Collocations:

• "Coordinated intervention," "comprehensive policy approaches," "supply-side measures"
• "Zoning reform," "development density," "mixed-use development"
• "Targeted assistance," "shared equity schemes," "social housing"
• "Speculation taxes," "demand management," "revenue generation"

Structure Analysis: Advanced Problem-Solution Architecture

Introduction Excellence

Context Establishment: "The escalating housing costs plaguing major urban centers worldwide" - demonstrates global awareness and scope

Problem Severity: "have created a complex crisis" - establishes urgency and complexity

Solution Preview: "that demands comprehensive policy intervention to restore market balance and social equity" - indicates sophisticated solution approach

Problem Analysis Framework

Multi-Dimensional Problem Development:

1. Individual/demographic impacts (young adults, life planning changes)
2. Social effects (family formation, intergenerational inequality)
3. Economic consequences (consumer spending, labor market effects)
4. Systemic impacts (essential worker shortages, environmental costs)

Evidence Integration Strategy:

• Statistical support (age changes from 25 to 33)
• Geographic examples (London, Sydney)
• Percentage benchmarks (50% income spending threshold)
• Sector-specific impacts (teachers, nurses, service workers)

BabyCode Enhancement: Sophisticated Analysis Framework

BabyCode's problem analysis system provides comprehensive frameworks for developing multi-dimensional problem exploration with evidence integration for achieving Band 9 analytical depth.

Solution Architecture Excellence

Systematic Solution Categorization:

• Structural reforms (zoning changes, development policies)
• Financial assistance (buyer support programs, loan schemes)
• Social protection (housing construction, rent controls)
• Market regulation (speculation taxes, demand management)

Implementation Evidence:

• Tokyo zoning success example
• Singapore Housing Development Board model (90% homeownership)
• Vancouver and Melbourne speculation tax results

Feasibility Assessment: Each solution includes practical implementation considerations and proven effectiveness examples

Advanced Argumentation Techniques

Economic Reasoning Excellence

Cause-Effect Analysis: Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of economic relationships between housing costs, demographic behavior, and broader economic impacts

Multi-Stakeholder Perspective: Addresses impacts on young adults, low-income families, essential workers, and broader economy comprehensively

Policy Analysis Sophistication: Evaluates different policy instruments and their mechanisms for achieving desired outcomes

Evidence Integration Mastery

Statistical Precision: Uses specific, credible numbers (25 to 33 age increase, 50% income threshold, 90% homeownership rate)

Geographic Specificity: References multiple cities and countries demonstrating global awareness and policy knowledge

Sector Analysis: Identifies specific affected groups (teachers, nurses, service personnel) showing detailed understanding

BabyCode Enhancement: Advanced Argumentation Integration

BabyCode's argumentation system helps students integrate economic reasoning, evidence usage, and multi-perspective analysis naturally for achieving Band 9 argumentation sophistication.

Language Features Analysis

Academic Register Maintenance

Formal Vocabulary Selection: Consistently uses appropriate academic terminology without becoming overly technical or inaccessible

Objective Tone: Maintains analytical perspective while acknowledging complexity and multiple viewpoints

Professional Expression: Uses language appropriate for policy analysis and economic discussion

Sentence Variety Excellence

Length Variation: Combines complex multi-clause sentences with shorter impactful statements for rhythm and emphasis

Structure Diversity: Employs various grammatical patterns including conditional, causal, comparative, and descriptive constructions

Information Density: Efficiently packs substantial information into well-structured sentences without confusion

Error-Free Accuracy

Grammar Precision: Demonstrates perfect control of complex grammatical structures throughout

Punctuation Mastery: Uses sophisticated punctuation including commas in complex lists, parenthetical information, and clause separation

Spelling Consistency: Maintains accurate spelling of specialized economic and policy terminology

Application Strategies for Similar Topics

Adaptable Framework Elements

Economic Problem Analysis:

• Market failure identification
• Stakeholder impact assessment
• Systemic consequence evaluation
• Quantitative evidence integration

Policy Solution Development:

• Multi-level intervention approaches
• Implementation mechanism specification
• Success example incorporation
• Feasibility consideration

Evidence Integration Methods:

• Statistical data utilization
• Geographic comparison usage
• Sector-specific analysis
• Timeline consideration

Related Topic Applications

Urban Planning Issues: Apply structure to traffic congestion, infrastructure development, urban sprawl

Economic Development Topics: Adapt framework to unemployment, income inequality, small business challenges

Social Policy Areas: Use approach for healthcare access, education funding, social services

Environmental Economics: Apply to carbon pricing, renewable energy costs, environmental regulation

Practice Enhancement Strategies

Vocabulary Development Focus

Economic Terminology: Study housing markets, urban planning, and policy analysis vocabulary extensively

Collocation Mastery: Learn natural combinations specific to real estate and urban development topics

Register Consistency: Practice maintaining appropriate academic formality throughout essay development

Analytical Skill Development

Multi-Dimensional Thinking: Practice identifying multiple problem dimensions and their interconnections

Solution Integration: Develop ability to propose comprehensive, coordinated policy approaches

Evidence Selection: Learn to choose most compelling and relevant supporting examples

BabyCode Enhancement: Comprehensive Skill Integration

BabyCode's practice system provides targeted exercises for housing and economic topics, including vocabulary building, analytical development, and evidence integration for systematic Band 9 preparation.

---

Related Articles

Enhance your IELTS Writing Task 2 economic and social issues expertise with these comprehensive resources:

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Economic Issues: Complete Strategy Guide
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem-Solution Essays: Advanced Structure
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Urban Planning: Band 9 Analysis
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Social Issues: Expert Guide
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9 Vocabulary: Economics and Policy
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Task Response: Economic Problem Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much specific knowledge about housing markets do I need for IELTS essays? A: You don't need expert real estate knowledge, but understanding basic economic principles helps. Know that housing prices are affected by supply-demand dynamics, government policies, interest rates, and demographic trends. Focus on logical analysis and clear expression rather than technical expertise.

Q: Should I focus more on problems or solutions in housing price essays? A: In problem-solution essays, aim for balanced coverage but often slightly more emphasis on solutions shows constructive thinking. Spend about 40% on problem analysis and 60% on solution development, ensuring each problem you identify has corresponding solution elements.

Q: How do I make my housing essay different from general economic essays? A: Focus specifically on housing market dynamics: affordability ratios, homeownership rates, rental markets, urban planning factors, and demographic impacts. Include housing-specific solutions like zoning reform, first-time buyer programs, and social housing rather than general economic policies.

Q: What if I don't know specific statistics about housing prices? A: Use general but reasonable observations like "significantly increased," "doubled over the past decade," or "average incomes have not kept pace with housing costs." Focus on logical relationships and trends rather than precise figures. The key is demonstrating analytical thinking.

Q: How do I address both young people and low-income families without repetition? A: Recognize that these groups face different but related challenges. Young people may have decent incomes but lack savings/credit history, while low-income families face absolute affordability constraints. Address shared issues (market prices) and group-specific challenges (different barriers to homeownership).

---

Achieve Band 9 Housing Essays with BabyCode

Master IELTS Writing Task 2 housing and economic topics through BabyCode's comprehensive social issues system. Our specialized training provides Band 9 sample analyses, advanced economic vocabulary, and sophisticated problem-solution techniques that have helped over 500,000 students achieve their target band scores.

With expert guidance on economic analysis, policy evaluation, and urban planning terminology, BabyCode ensures you can handle housing prices and related social topics with the sophistication required for Band 9 achievement.

Transform your economic essay performance today with BabyCode's proven housing topics mastery system.