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September 2008

IELTS Essay, topic: Overpopulation

The world is experiencing a dramatic increase in population, which is causing problems not only for poor, undeveloped countries, but also for industrialized and developed nations. Describe some of the problems that overpopulation causes, and suggest at least one possible solution.
You should write at least 250 words.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays, the population dramatically in most countries around the world. This is true for the developed and developing nations. Overpopulation a different number of problems. However, the government can these problems in many .

There are several problems that the raising number of people in undeveloped countries causes. Firstly, it is very difficult to provide enough food for all people. Secondly, the government limits the number of children per family in school. In addition, in poorest countries usually have , and when the population increases, the number of . Finally, when too many people live on the land, the environment suffers.

There are different problems that overpopulation causes in rich nations. Firstly, it is very difficult for governments to provide helpful public services in overcrowded cities. Moreover, there is generally a higher level of crimes being committed, such as drugs abuse, murders, thefts, . often cause by the high rates of unemployment.

However, overpopulation problems in nations have two main which they are by governments. Firstly, the government must educate people about limiting the size of the family. For example, in China they have a policy called “one child policy” which limits the size of the family to one or two children, and this is beginning to have an effect on the world’s most crowded nation.

To sum up, if the impulsive population increase continues, many more people will die of hunger in the poor countries. Also, in rich nations, the life in the cities will become more and more difficult.

This essay covers the task and has a good content. However there are several areas to improve. The grammar needs more attention (see comments underlined in blue). In the first paragraph, the last sentence has instances of repetition of solve and solution, you could say instead “can find many solutions to those problems”. In the third paragraph, the last sentence has poor structure and looks unfinished. Overall, this looks like a Band 6 – 6.5 essay.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of band 6

is increading
causes
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that are allowed to be educated
higher unemployment rates
unemployed increases as well
avoid using etc in essay
,which is
both developed and undeveloped
solutions
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Update from a General IELTS exam, Malaysia

Thanks to Sharon from Malaysia for telling us about her General Training IELTS exam.

Writing test

Writing Task 1 (a letter)

Write a letter to apply for a part time job in a new international company. You have heard about the position from someone in your neighborhood.

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

The topic was about the zoos in the 21st century – do we agree or disagree that animals should be kept in the men-made cells.

Speaking test

I think I didn’t do very well. The questions were not what I expected.

Interview

Questions about shopping and names in my culture.

Cue Card

Describe a place that you have visited, where there was plenty of water.

Discussion

The rest of the questions were all about water. I didn’t do well at talking about names and water.