IELTS Writing Task 2 Two-Part Question: How to Answer Both Parts for Band 7+

In many cities, the number of people choosing to live alone has risen sharply over the past two decades. This essay will discuss the main reasons for this trend and consider whether it is a positive or negative development.

The primary reason for the rise in solo living is changing patterns of work and relationships. Young people now spend longer in education and delay marriage, meaning they have many more years of independent adulthood than previous generations. A second reason is the decline of multi-generational households, driven by increased geographic mobility and the high cost of family-sized housing in major cities.

Whether this is a positive or negative development depends on perspective. On the positive side, people who live alone often report higher levels of personal freedom, more time for self-development, and greater financial independence. On the negative side, solo living is associated with higher rates of loneliness, particularly among older adults, and the proliferation of single-occupancy housing increases urban sprawl and environmental pressure.

In conclusion, the rise in solo living is the result of broad social and economic shifts, and although it offers real benefits to individuals, it also carries social and environmental costs that governments and city planners will need to address in the coming decades.