Achieving a Band 7 in the IELTS Writing Task 2 requires addressing both aspects of the question effectively. This essay explores the balance between funding essential services and cultural investments in urban life. While it effectively discusses both views, it could enhance coherence and fluidity between paragraphs to further improve the score.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Discuss both views · City Life · 40 min
Some people believe that city governments should allocate public funds only to essential urban services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Others argue that investment in arts, culture, and entertainment is equally important for enhancing the quality of urban life.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Score Breakdown
IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)
Summary: The essay fully addresses the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. It meets the word count requirement (295 words) and is well-structured with logical paragraphing. Vocabulary and grammar are effective but could show more variety and sophistication. Overall, a solid Band 7 performance.
Now write your own — and see how your verdict holds up.
Submit your City Life essay and receive AI scores across Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar — plus a Band 9 model answer for your exact question.
Many people believe that city governments should spend public money only on essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. However, others argue that arts, culture, and entertainment are also important for improving people’s quality of life in cities. This essay will discuss both views before presenting my own opinion.
On the one hand, it is understandable why some people think that public funds should be used mainly for essential services. Healthcare and education are fundamental needs for every society. If governments invest more money in hospitals and schools, citizens can enjoy better medical treatment and higher-quality education. In addition, infrastructure such as roads, public transport, and water supply systems is necessary for the smooth functioning of a city. Without proper investment in these areas, people’s daily lives could become difficult and unsafe. Therefore, prioritizing these basic services is considered a practical and responsible use of public funds.
On the other hand, investing in arts, culture, and entertainment also brings significant benefits to urban life. Cultural activities such as museums, theatres, music festivals, and art exhibitions make cities more vibrant and attractive. These facilities not only improve people’s mental well-being but also encourage tourism, which can generate additional income for the local economy. Furthermore, cultural spaces provide opportunities for creativity and social interaction, helping communities become more connected and lively.
In my opinion, while essential services should receive the majority of government funding, cities should also allocate some budget to arts and cultural activities. A balanced approach can ensure that citizens’ basic needs are met while also creating a richer and more enjoyable urban environment.
In conclusion, although essential services are crucial for the functioning of cities, investment in arts and culture also plays an important role in enhancing the overall quality of urban life.
AI Feedback Report Details
Spelling · Grammar · Vocabulary · Criteria Analysis
Ready to practise? Get instant AI feedback on your verdict.
Submit your City Life essay and receive AI scores across all four IELTS criteria — with specific feedback on whether your solutions are specific, realistic, and matched to your problems.
Detailed Criteria Feedback
AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion
Task Response7.5
Evaluation
The essay successfully discusses both sides of the argument and clearly states the writer's own opinion (a balanced approach). All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the response is well-developed with relevant examples (healthcare, education, infrastructure vs. museums, theatres, tourism). The opinion is consistent and supported. However, the discussion could be slightly more nuanced or include counterarguments to strengthen the response.
Examples
Paragraph 2 covers essential services with specific examples (hospitals, schools, roads). Paragraph 3 covers arts and culture with examples (museums, festivals). Conclusion restates the balanced opinion.
How to Improve
To achieve a higher score, consider adding a more detailed counterargument or acknowledging potential drawbacks of each view. For instance, discuss how overspending on arts might strain essential services, or how underfunding culture could harm social cohesion. Also, ensure that examples are specific and well-integrated.
Coherence & Cohesion7
Evaluation
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs for each view, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices (e.g., 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In my opinion', 'In conclusion') are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is appropriate and each paragraph has a central idea. However, the transitions could be slightly smoother, and the essay relies somewhat on formulaic phrases.
Examples
'On the one hand, it is understandable why...' and 'On the other hand, investing in arts...' provide clear contrast. The conclusion summarizes the main points and opinion.
How to Improve
Vary cohesive devices beyond simple 'firstly/secondly' patterns. Use synonyms or more subtle linking (e.g., 'Nevertheless', 'Similarly', 'As a result'). Ensure each paragraph flows naturally into the next, perhaps by adding a concluding sentence that connects to the next point.
Lexical Resource7
Evaluation
The vocabulary is adequate and generally accurate, with some good choices such as 'fundamental needs', 'smooth functioning', 'vibrant and attractive', 'mental well-being', and 'generate additional income'. However, there is repetition of key phrases like 'essential services' and 'arts, culture, and entertainment'. The range could be broader, and more sophisticated or precise terms would enhance the response.
Examples
'prioritizing these basic services' and 'a balanced approach' are appropriate. 'Encourage tourism' and 'social interaction' are effective collocations.
How to Improve
Expand vocabulary by using synonyms (e.g., 'core services' instead of 'essential services', 'cultural amenities' for 'arts and culture'). Incorporate less common but suitable terms like 'civic infrastructure', 'urban aesthetics', 'cultural enrichment', or 'economic multiplier effect'. Avoid repeating the same nouns; use paraphrasing.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy7
Evaluation
The grammar is mostly accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are no noticeable errors in subject-verb agreement, tense, or punctuation. The essay uses conditional clauses ('If governments invest...') and relative clauses ('such as...', 'which can...'). However, the range is not very wide—most sentences follow a similar pattern (subject + verb + object).
Examples
'Healthcare and education are fundamental needs for every society.' is a simple correct sentence. 'Cultural activities... not only improve... but also encourage tourism' uses a correlative conjunction correctly.
How to Improve
Incorporate a greater variety of structures, such as passive voice ('Investment should be directed...'), inversion ('Not only do essential services require funding...'), or more complex conditionals ('Had the city allocated funds...'). Practice using non-finite clauses (e.g., 'By investing in arts, cities can...'). Ensure complex sentences are always controlled and clear.
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.
RELATED ESSAYS
01
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subject or whether allowing an individual to study courses that will on...
02
Some people argue that leisure time is best spent on activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people contend that leisure time is best spent on activities that relax the mind. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
Human beings love to relax and chill its in our nature. But it differ from a human being to another how we like to spend our leisure time some argue that free ...
03
Some people believe that city governments should allocate public funds only to essential urban services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Others argue that investment in arts, culture, and entertainment is equally important for enhancing the quality of urban life. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The health of a city and it's citizens must be given utmost priority as compared to arts, culture and entertainment. With provision of proper health...
04
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
There are two contrary opinions about whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should be allowed to study subject...
05
Some people in different countries earn very high incomes. While some people think that this is beneficial for the nation, others believe that the government should limit how much money people can make. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
An individual's educational background fortells a lot on how people can earn more or earn less. Some may finished only as a highschool graduate but has skills t...