2025-08-31

IELTS Writing Task 2 Two-Part Question — Housing: Band 8 Sample Answer and Analysis with Expert Strategies

IELTS Writing Task 2 Two-Part Question — Housing: Band 8 Sample Answer and Analysis with Expert Strategies

Housing remains one of the most pressing global issues, making it a frequent topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This comprehensive guide provides you with a Band 8 sample answer for housing-related Two-Part Questions, complete with detailed analysis and practical strategies to help you achieve your target score.

At BabyCode, we've guided over 500,000 students to IELTS success through our evidence-based teaching methodology. This article combines years of expertise with current housing trends to deliver the insights you need for writing excellence.

Understanding Housing Two-Part Questions

Two-part questions about housing typically explore complex social and economic issues requiring balanced analysis. These questions examine housing affordability, urban planning, government policy, and social impacts of housing problems.

Common Housing Question Patterns

  1. Affordability and Access: Rising costs, income disparities, first-time buyer challenges
  2. Urban Planning: City development, suburban sprawl, infrastructure challenges
  3. Government Policy: Public housing, rent control, housing subsidies
  4. Social Issues: Homelessness, housing quality, community development
  5. Environmental Factors: Sustainable housing, energy efficiency, location choices

Sample Question Analysis

Question: In many cities around the world, young people cannot afford to buy their own homes and are forced to continue living with their parents or share accommodation with others. What do you think are the main causes of this problem? What measures could be taken to address this issue?

Question Breakdown

Part 1: Identify and explain the main causes of young people's housing affordability crisis Part 2: Suggest and justify measures to address the housing affordability problem

Key Requirements:

  • Address both parts with equal development (approximately 140-150 words each)
  • Provide specific causes with clear explanations
  • Suggest realistic, implementable solutions
  • Use relevant examples and supporting details
  • Maintain formal academic register throughout

Band 8 Sample Answer

The housing affordability crisis affecting young people in urban areas represents one of the most significant social challenges of our time. This issue stems from various interconnected economic and policy factors that require comprehensive intervention to resolve effectively.

Several key factors contribute to young people's inability to access affordable housing. The primary cause is the dramatic increase in property prices relative to income growth, with housing costs in major cities like London and Sydney rising by over 300% in the past two decades while wages have increased by only 50%. Additionally, stricter lending criteria introduced after the 2008 financial crisis have made it extremely difficult for young people to secure mortgages, as banks now require larger deposits and impose more rigorous income assessments. Furthermore, the shortage of affordable housing stock in urban centers has created intense competition, driving prices beyond the reach of average earners. Young people also face unique disadvantages such as limited credit histories, irregular employment patterns due to the gig economy, and student debt burdens that further reduce their borrowing capacity.

Addressing this crisis requires coordinated action from governments and financial institutions. Governments should implement first-time buyer programs that provide deposit assistance or shared equity schemes, similar to Australia's HomeBuilder program which helped 120,000 young families enter the housing market. Additionally, increasing the supply of affordable housing through zoning reforms and incentives for developers to include low-cost units in new projects would help stabilize prices. Financial institutions could also contribute by developing innovative mortgage products tailored to young professionals, such as income-averaged loans that account for career progression. Finally, governments should consider implementing moderate rent controls and tenant protection laws to prevent exploitation while encouraging rental market stability.

In conclusion, while the housing affordability crisis results from complex market forces and policy decisions, targeted government intervention combined with private sector innovation can create pathways for young people to achieve housing security.

Detailed Band 8 Analysis

Task Achievement (Band 8)

Comprehensive Coverage: The essay addresses both parts thoroughly with sophisticated understanding. Part 1 identifies four distinct causes (price-income disparity, lending criteria, supply shortage, youth-specific challenges) while Part 2 provides four targeted solutions (government programs, supply increase, innovative mortgages, rental regulations).

Relevant Examples: Strong use of specific evidence including statistical data (300% vs 50% increases), geographical references (London, Sydney), and policy examples (Australia's HomeBuilder program with specific impact figures).

Clear Development: Each cause is explained with logical reasoning, and each solution directly corresponds to identified problems, showing excellent analytical thinking.

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 8)

Logical Structure:

  • Introduction: Context and problem identification
  • Body 1: Systematic analysis of causes with escalating complexity
  • Body 2: Comprehensive solutions matching identified causes
  • Conclusion: Balanced summary with forward-looking perspective

Effective Linking:

  • "Several key factors contribute" (clear topic introduction)
  • "Additionally" and "Furthermore" (progression markers)
  • "such as" (exemplification)
  • "similar to" (comparison)
  • "Finally" (sequence conclusion)

Cohesive References: Strong use of reference words ("This issue," "these challenges," "such programs") creating smooth textual flow.

Lexical Resource (Band 8)

Wide Range of Vocabulary:

  • "interconnected economic and policy factors"
  • "comprehensive intervention"
  • "stricter lending criteria"
  • "rigorous income assessments"
  • "shared equity schemes"
  • "income-averaged loans"
  • "moderate rent controls"

Appropriate Collocations:

  • "housing affordability crisis"
  • "irregular employment patterns"
  • "student debt burdens"
  • "borrowing capacity"
  • "zoning reforms"
  • "tenant protection laws"
  • "housing security"

Precise Word Choice: Demonstrates flexibility through varied expressions (problem = issue, crisis, challenge; solve = address, resolve, tackle).

Grammar Range and Accuracy (Band 8)

Complex Sentence Structures:

  • "The housing affordability crisis affecting young people in urban areas represents..." (complex noun phrase + main clause)
  • "...with housing costs in major cities like London and Sydney rising by over 300%..." (embedded relative clause with statistical data)
  • "Financial institutions could also contribute by developing innovative mortgage products tailored to young professionals..." (complex participial phrase)

Advanced Grammar Features:

  • Relative clauses: "...such as income-averaged loans that account for career progression"
  • Conditional structures: "...would help stabilize prices"
  • Participial phrases: "...similar to Australia's HomeBuilder program which helped 120,000 young families"

High Accuracy: Minor errors that don't impede communication, consistent with Band 8 requirements.

Essential Housing Vocabulary

Housing Market Terms

  • affordability crisis /əˌfɔːdəˈbɪləti ˈkraɪsɪs/: Situation where housing costs exceed reasonable income proportions
  • property ladder /ˈprɒpəti ˈlædə/: Progressive home ownership from smaller to larger properties
  • mortgage deposit /ˈmɔːɡɪdʒ dɪˈpɒzɪt/: Initial payment required for home purchase
  • lending criteria /ˈlendɪŋ kraɪˈtɪəriə/: Requirements banks use to assess loan applications
  • housing stock /ˈhaʊzɪŋ stɒk/: Total available housing units in an area

Policy and Planning Vocabulary

  • zoning regulations /ˈzəʊnɪŋ ˌreɡjʊˈleɪʃənz/: Laws governing land use and development
  • affordable housing /əˌfɔːdəbəl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/: Housing designed for low-to-moderate income families
  • shared equity scheme /ʃeəd ˈekwɪti skiːm/: Government program sharing home ownership costs
  • rent control /rent kənˈtrəʊl/: Government regulation of rental prices
  • social housing /ˈsəʊʃəl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/: Government-provided housing for low-income residents

Advanced Expressions

  • priced out of the market: Unable to afford current market prices
  • housing bubble: Rapid increase in property values followed by collapse
  • gentrification: Process of neighborhood upgrading displacing lower-income residents
  • urban sprawl: Uncontrolled expansion of urban areas
  • housing tenure: Legal arrangement for occupying residential property

Common Band 6-7 Mistakes and Band 8 Solutions

Mistake 1: Surface-Level Analysis

Band 6-7: "House prices are too high and young people don't earn enough." Band 8: "The primary cause is the dramatic increase in property prices relative to income growth, with housing costs in major cities rising by over 300% while wages increased by only 50%."

Mistake 2: Vague Solutions

Band 6-7: "The government should build more houses." Band 8: "Governments should implement first-time buyer programs that provide deposit assistance or shared equity schemes, similar to Australia's HomeBuilder program which helped 120,000 young families."

Mistake 3: Limited Vocabulary Range

Band 6-7: Repetitive use of basic terms like "expensive," "cheap," "house" Band 8: Varied sophisticated vocabulary including "affordability crisis," "lending criteria," "housing stock," "shared equity schemes"

Mistake 4: Weak Examples

Band 6-7: "In some countries..." or "For example, many cities..." Band 8: "...housing costs in major cities like London and Sydney rising by over 300%..." with specific statistical evidence

Mistake 5: Poor Cause-Effect Development

Band 6-7: Lists causes without explaining mechanisms Band 8: Explains how each cause creates specific effects on young buyers

Strategic Approach for Band 8 Achievement

Pre-Writing Planning (5 minutes)

  1. Question Analysis: Identify both parts clearly
  2. Idea Generation: Brainstorm 3-4 causes and 3-4 solutions
  3. Example Selection: Choose specific, relevant supporting evidence
  4. Structure Planning: Organize ideas logically with clear progression
  5. Vocabulary Activation: Consider topic-specific terms and expressions

Writing Execution (30 minutes)

  1. Introduction (45-50 words): Context, question paraphrase, thesis
  2. Body Paragraph 1 (140-150 words): Causes with detailed explanations
  3. Body Paragraph 2 (140-150 words): Solutions with justifications and examples
  4. Conclusion (35-40 words): Synthesis and final thought

Quality Review (5 minutes)

  1. Task Achievement: Both parts addressed comprehensively?
  2. Coherence: Clear logical flow with effective linking?
  3. Lexical Resource: Sophisticated vocabulary used accurately?
  4. Grammar: Complex structures demonstrate language control?

Practice Questions for Housing Topics

Question Set 1: Affordability and Access

  1. Many young adults in developed countries are unable to afford their first homes despite having good jobs. What are the reasons for this situation? What solutions would you suggest?

  2. The gap between housing prices and average incomes continues to widen in most major cities. What factors contribute to this trend? How can this problem be addressed?

Question Set 2: Urban Development

  1. Rapid urbanization has led to overcrowding in city centers while rural areas face population decline. What problems does this create? What measures could encourage more balanced population distribution?

  2. Many cities are experiencing housing shortages that force people to live in inadequate conditions. What causes these shortages? What steps should be taken to ensure adequate housing for all residents?

Question Set 3: Government Policy

  1. Some people believe governments should provide free housing for all citizens, while others think housing should be left to market forces. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach? Which do you think is more effective?

Advanced Writing Techniques for Band 8

Sophisticated Problem Analysis

Technique 1: Multi-Causal Framework "The housing crisis results from the convergence of macroeconomic trends, regulatory failures, and demographic shifts that have fundamentally altered the relationship between income and housing costs."

Technique 2: Stakeholder Perspective Analysis "While developers benefit from rising prices and governments enjoy increased tax revenues, young professionals bear the burden of an increasingly inaccessible housing market."

Technique 3: Historical Context Integration "Unlike previous generations who could purchase homes with 10-15% deposits, today's young buyers face requirements of 20-25% while competing against cash investors and international buyers."

Dynamic Solution Development

Technique 1: Policy Integration Approach "Effective housing policy requires coordinating monetary policy, zoning regulations, and social programs to create comprehensive pathways to homeownership."

Technique 2: Innovation-Focused Solutions "Emerging technologies such as modular construction and 3D printing offer potential cost reductions of 20-30%, making homeownership more accessible to younger demographics."

Technique 3: International Best Practice Application "Singapore's Build-To-Order system and Vienna's social housing model demonstrate how government intervention can successfully maintain housing affordability without compromising market efficiency."

Statistical Evidence for Housing Arguments

Global Housing Trends

  • Price-to-Income Ratios: Many major cities now show ratios of 10:1 or higher (previously 3-4:1)
  • First-Time Buyer Ages: Average age has increased from 25 to 33 over two decades
  • Deposit Requirements: Increased from 5-10% to 15-25% in most developed markets
  • Rental Costs: Now consume 40-50% of income vs. traditional 25-30% recommendation

Regional Examples

  • Australia: HomeBuilder program provided AU$25,000 grants to 120,000 households
  • UK: Help to Buy scheme assisted over 280,000 purchases since 2013
  • Canada: First-Time Home Buyer Incentive offers 5-10% shared equity
  • Germany: Rent control laws limit increases to inflation + 1.5% annually

Building Coherence Through Effective Transitions

Cause Analysis Transitions

  • "The fundamental reason for..."
  • "This situation stems primarily from..."
  • "Another contributing factor is..."
  • "Compounding these issues..."
  • "The underlying cause lies in..."

Solution Development Transitions

  • "To address this challenge..."
  • "A comprehensive approach would include..."
  • "Policymakers should consider..."
  • "An effective strategy involves..."
  • "This problem requires..."

Evidence Integration Transitions

  • "As demonstrated by..."
  • "Statistical evidence shows..."
  • "Research indicates that..."
  • "International experience suggests..."
  • "Case studies reveal..."

Language Enhancement Techniques

Avoiding Repetition

Instead of: "The problem is that houses are expensive. This expensive housing makes it difficult for young people." Use: "The affordability crisis stems from inflated property values that place homeownership beyond the reach of average earners."

Upgrading Vocabulary

Basic: "More houses should be built" Advanced: "Increasing housing supply through streamlined planning approvals and development incentives"

Basic: "Young people can't buy houses" Advanced: "Young adults face unprecedented barriers to homeownership"

Enhancing Explanations

Basic: "Prices are high because there aren't enough houses" Advanced: "Supply constraints in desirable urban locations have created competitive markets where demand consistently exceeds availability, driving prices beyond historical norms"

Exam Strategy and Time Management

Effective Planning Phase

  • Minute 1: Read question twice, identify both parts clearly
  • Minute 2-3: Brainstorm causes and solutions
  • Minute 4-5: Select best ideas and supporting examples
  • Total Planning: 5 minutes maximum

Strategic Writing Distribution

  • Introduction: 3-4 minutes (45-50 words)
  • Body 1 (Causes): 10-12 minutes (140-150 words)
  • Body 2 (Solutions): 10-12 minutes (140-150 words)
  • Conclusion: 3-4 minutes (35-40 words)
  • Review: 3-5 minutes
  • Total: 30-35 minutes

Quality Assurance Checklist

✓ Both question parts addressed with equal depth ✓ Specific examples and evidence included ✓ Clear cause-effect relationships explained ✓ Realistic, implementable solutions suggested ✓ Formal academic tone maintained throughout ✓ Complex sentence structures used accurately ✓ Topic-specific vocabulary demonstrated ✓ Smooth transitions and coherent organization

Understanding Band 8 Requirements

Task Achievement Excellence

  • Complete Response: Both parts fully developed with sophisticated insights
  • Relevant Ideas: All content directly addresses the question components
  • Clear Position: Consistent analytical approach throughout
  • Appropriate Examples: Specific, relevant supporting evidence

Language Proficiency Markers

  • Lexical Range: Wide vocabulary including topic-specific terminology
  • Grammatical Complexity: Varied sentence structures with high accuracy
  • Natural Expression: Idiomatic language use and sophisticated phrasing
  • Coherent Organization: Logical development with effective transitions

Emerging Themes

  • Climate Change Impact: Sustainable housing, flood-resistant design, energy efficiency
  • Technology Integration: Smart homes, virtual viewings, blockchain property transactions
  • Work-From-Home Effects: Urban-rural migration, co-working spaces, flexible housing
  • Demographic Changes: Aging populations, multi-generational housing, micro-living

Policy Innovations

  • Rent-to-Own Schemes: Alternative pathways to ownership
  • Community Land Trusts: Preserving affordability through shared ownership
  • Inclusionary Zoning: Requiring affordable units in new developments
  • Tax Reforms: Land value capture, speculation taxes, empty property penalties

Conclusion: Achieving Band 8 in Housing Topics

Mastering IELTS Writing Task 2 housing questions requires understanding complex social and economic relationships while demonstrating sophisticated language control. Success at Band 8 level comes from providing comprehensive analysis supported by specific evidence, using advanced vocabulary accurately, and organizing ideas with clear logical progression.

Remember that housing topics reflect real-world challenges affecting millions of people globally. Your essay should demonstrate not just language proficiency, but analytical thinking that recognizes the complexity of housing issues and the need for nuanced solutions.

At BabyCode, our proven methodology has helped over 500,000 students achieve their IELTS goals through systematic skill development and strategic exam preparation. We understand that Band 8 achievement requires more than memorizing templates—it demands developing genuine analytical and communication abilities.

Practice regularly with diverse housing topics, focus on building topic-specific vocabulary, and always support your arguments with relevant examples and evidence. With consistent effort and strategic preparation, your Band 8 goals are entirely achievable.

Ready to achieve your IELTS goals? Join over 500,000 successful students at BabyCode and access our comprehensive IELTS preparation courses, expert feedback, and personalized study plans. Transform your writing skills and reach Band 8 today!