Some people believe that a vertical city in which people work and live in tall buildings is a good idea. Others say that horizontal living is better. Discuss both views and express your opinion.

Nowadays, various blueprints of urban modernisation are proposed to address the growing human population. A controversial debate has arisen about whether residential planning should be developed vertically or horizontally. Both perspectives offer distinct merits, making it challenging to determine the best approach. From my standpoint, the choice between these two construction styles depends on individuals’ priorities regarding efficiency or comfort.
When cities grow upwards, using multi-storey buildings or skyscrapers to house the vast population tends to utilise urban space efficiently. A single tall building can provide thousands of accommodations, far surpassing the capacity of a smaller building with the same ground dimension. This approach is undeniably more space-efficient, especially in areas facing substantial population growth. Moreover, implementing this concept allows governments to allocate more resources to public infrastructure and social amenities, which is essential for developing an ideal cosmopolitan city. Through this design, cities can remain sustainable within geographical confines while maximising space utilisation.
On the other hand, citizens who prefer outward expansion may find high-rise buildings suffocating and prefer a more aesthetically pleasing style. Horizontal housing styles, such as bungalows or row houses, offer more spacious living areas, enabling residents to do gardening or install recreational amenities like swimming pools. Additionally, sprawling city layouts can foster a sense of community, enhancing social connections and better engagement in communal activities. This approach contributes to a higher quality of life for those who value comfort and a closer-knit neighbourhood.
In conclusion, both vertical and horizontal urban planning have distinct benefits, primarily in terms of space optimization and comfort. Therefore, the choice between vertical and horizontal urban planning should depend on the specific context of the city and the preferences of its inhabitants in the furtherance of urban development.

Gợi ý nâng cấp từ vựng

"Nowadays" -> "Currently"
Explanation: "Currently" is a more formal and precise temporal indicator suitable for academic writing, replacing the colloquial "Nowadays."
"blueprints of urban modernisation" -> "blueprints for urban modernization"
Explanation: "Blueprints for" is more accurate and formal, as it correctly implies the creation of plans rather than the presentation of existing designs.
"A controversial debate has arisen" -> "A contentious debate has emerged"
Explanation: "Emerged" is more precise in this context, indicating the gradual development of the debate, whereas "arisen" can imply a sudden or unexpected occurrence.
"the best approach" -> "the most effective approach"
Explanation: "Most effective" is more specific and academically appropriate than "best," which can be subjective and vague.
"When cities grow upwards" -> "As cities expand vertically"
Explanation: "Expand vertically" is a more precise and technical term, enhancing the formal tone and clarity of the description.
"using multi-storey buildings or skyscrapers" -> "employing multi-story buildings or skyscrapers"
Explanation: "Employing" is more formal and precise than "using," which is somewhat casual for academic writing.
"tends to utilise" -> "tends to utilize"
Explanation: "Utilize" is the correct form in American English, which is often preferred in academic texts.
"far surpassing" -> "significantly exceeding"
Explanation: "Significantly exceeding" is more formal and precise, avoiding the colloquial tone of "far surpassing."
"This approach is undeniably more space-efficient" -> "This approach is undoubtedly more space-efficient"
Explanation: "Undoubtedly" is a more formal synonym for "undeniably," aligning better with academic style.
"especially in areas facing substantial population growth" -> "particularly in regions experiencing significant population growth"
Explanation: "Regions experiencing significant population growth" is more specific and formal, enhancing the academic tone.
"implementing this concept" -> "adopting this concept"
Explanation: "Adopting" is a more precise term in this context, indicating the process of taking up or accepting an idea or plan.
"cosmopolitan city" -> "cosmopolitan metropolis"
Explanation: "Metropolis" is a more specific and formal term than "city," fitting better in an academic context.
"suffocating" -> "overwhelming"
Explanation: "Overwhelming" is less emotionally charged and more appropriate for formal writing than "suffocating," which carries a strong emotional connotation.
"spacious living areas" -> "spacious living spaces"
Explanation: "Living spaces" is a more formal and commonly used term in academic and professional contexts than "living areas."
"enabling residents to do gardening" -> "enabling residents to engage in gardening"
Explanation: "Engage in" is more formal and precise than "do," which is somewhat informal and vague.
"install recreational amenities like swimming pools" -> "install recreational amenities, such as swimming pools"
Explanation: Adding "such as" before the example provides a clearer and more formal transition in the list.
"foster a sense of community" -> "promote a sense of community"
Explanation: "Promote" is a more active and formal verb than "foster," which is slightly less common in this context.
"better engagement in communal activities" -> "enhanced engagement in communal activities"
Explanation: "Enhanced" is a more precise and formal adjective than "better," which is somewhat vague and informal.
"the choice between vertical and horizontal urban planning" -> "the decision between vertical and horizontal urban planning"
Explanation: "Decision" is more specific and formal than "choice," which is less precise in this context.

Band điểm Task Response ước lượng: 8

Band Score for Task Response: 8

Answer All Parts of the Question:
- Detailed explanation: The essay effectively addresses both sides of the argument regarding vertical versus horizontal urban living. It acknowledges the advantages of vertical cities (space efficiency, sustainability) and horizontal living (comfort, community), and concludes with a balanced view.
- How to improve: To enhance comprehensiveness, ensure each viewpoint is supported with specific examples or data where possible. This can strengthen the depth of analysis and provide a clearer contrast between the two approaches.
Present a Clear Position Throughout:
- Detailed explanation: The essay maintains a clear position throughout, asserting that the choice between vertical and horizontal living depends on individual priorities regarding efficiency or comfort.
- How to improve: To further clarify the stance, explicitly link each argument to why efficiency or comfort matters in urban planning. This can reinforce the consistency of the essay’s perspective.
Present, Extend, and Support Ideas:
- Detailed explanation: Ideas are presented coherently with examples such as space efficiency in vertical cities and community benefits in horizontal living. Each viewpoint is elaborated upon adequately to support the overall argument.
- How to improve: To extend ideas, consider discussing potential challenges or criticisms of each approach to provide a more nuanced perspective. This depth can enrich the analysis and demonstrate a deeper understanding of urban planning dynamics.
Stay on Topic:
- Detailed explanation: The essay remains focused on the topic of vertical versus horizontal urban planning throughout. There are no significant deviations from discussing the merits and drawbacks of each approach.
- How to improve: To maintain focus, ensure each paragraph directly relates to either vertical or horizontal living and avoid overlapping arguments that could blur the distinction between the two.

Overall, this essay demonstrates a strong grasp of the topic and effectively meets the criteria for an IELTS Band 8 in Task Response. To improve further, incorporating more specific examples, anticipating counterarguments, and deepening the analysis of each perspective could elevate the essay to an even higher band score.

Band điểm Coherence & Cohesion ước lượng: 7

Band Score for Coherence and Cohesion: 7

Organize Information Logically:
- Detailed explanation: The essay demonstrates a clear organizational structure. It begins with an introduction that frames the debate, presents both viewpoints in separate body paragraphs, and concludes with a concise summary. Each paragraph focuses on one aspect (efficiency vs. comfort), maintaining a logical flow throughout the essay.
- How to improve: To further enhance logical organization, consider using more explicit signposting language to guide the reader through the essay’s structure. For instance, clearer transitions between paragraphs could strengthen the coherence.
Use Paragraphs:
- Detailed explanation: The essay effectively uses paragraphs to separate distinct ideas. Each paragraph addresses a different viewpoint or aspect of the argument, which aids readability and clarity.
- How to improve: Ensure that each paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence that encapsulates the main idea of that paragraph. This will reinforce the essay’s structure and help readers navigate the argument more easily.
Use a Range of Cohesive Devices:
- Detailed explanation: Cohesive devices such as linking words ("Moreover," "On the other hand," "In conclusion") are appropriately used to connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs. These devices contribute to the overall coherence of the essay.
- How to improve: Introduce a wider variety of cohesive devices beyond basic transitions. Incorporating pronouns ("this," "these") to refer back to previously mentioned concepts or using synonyms to avoid repetition can further enhance cohesion.

In summary, while the essay demonstrates strong coherence and cohesion with a clear organizational structure and effective use of paragraphs and cohesive devices, there is room for improvement in enhancing explicit signposting, refining paragraph topic sentences, and diversifying cohesive devices for even greater clarity and coherence.

Band điểm Lexical Resource ước lượng: 6

Band Score for Lexical Resource: 6

Use a Wide Range of Vocabulary:
- Detailed explanation: The essay demonstrates a reasonably wide range of vocabulary related to urban planning and lifestyle preferences. It includes terms like "urban modernisation," "multi-storey buildings," "skyscrapers," "sprawling city layouts," "cosmopolitan city," "aesthetically pleasing," and "space optimization." These terms are appropriate and contribute to conveying the ideas effectively.
- How to improve: To enhance lexical resource further, consider integrating more advanced vocabulary or precise terminology where possible. For instance, instead of "sprawling city layouts," using "expansive urban configurations" could add sophistication. Ensure that the vocabulary used is consistently precise and contextually appropriate throughout the essay.
Use Vocabulary Precisely:
- Detailed explanation: The essay generally uses vocabulary accurately to convey ideas about urban planning and lifestyle preferences. For example, "efficiency," "comfort," "sustainable," and "quality of life" are used effectively to articulate different viewpoints. However, there are moments where the vocabulary could be more precise. For instance, phrases like "comfort" and "space-efficient" could benefit from more nuanced terms that precisely capture the intended meaning without ambiguity.
- How to improve: Aim for more precise vocabulary by replacing general terms with more specific alternatives where appropriate. For example, instead of "comfort," consider using "residential comfort" or "livability" depending on the context. This approach will help in conveying ideas with clarity and depth.
Use Correct Spelling:
- Detailed explanation: Spelling is generally accurate throughout the essay. There are no significant spelling errors that detract from the overall readability or comprehension of the text.
- How to improve: To maintain this level of spelling accuracy, continue proofreading carefully to catch any minor errors that might occasionally occur. Utilize spell-check tools and consider revising strategies such as reading the essay aloud to identify any overlooked errors.

In conclusion, while the essay effectively addresses the prompt and demonstrates a solid understanding of vocabulary related to urban planning, there is room for enhancement in precision and diversity of vocabulary usage. By incorporating more specific terminology and maintaining high spelling accuracy, the essay can further elevate its lexical resource score in future assessments.

Band điểm Grammatical Range & Accuracy ước lượng: 7

Band Score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 7

Use a Wide Range of Structures:
- Detailed explanation: The essay demonstrates a commendable variety of sentence structures. It employs complex sentences, such as conditional sentences ("If cities grow upwards…"), comparative structures ("more… than"), and parallel structures ("efficiency or comfort"). These structures contribute to coherence and sophistication in presenting arguments.
- How to improve: To further enhance variety, consider incorporating rhetorical questions, passive voice constructions where appropriate, and more nuanced transitions between ideas. This can elevate the complexity and fluidity of the essay, enhancing overall coherence.
Use Grammar and Punctuation Accurately:
- Detailed explanation: Grammar and punctuation are generally accurate throughout the essay. Examples include correct subject-verb agreements ("A single tall building can provide…"), accurate use of articles ("the vast population"), and proper punctuation marks to separate clauses and ideas effectively.
- How to improve: While overall accuracy is strong, attention to minor issues such as consistency in tense usage (e.g., switching between present and past tense in some sections) and ensuring precise use of commas in complex sentences can further polish the clarity and precision of the essay.

Overall, this essay effectively meets the criteria for a Band 7 in Grammatical Range and Accuracy. The writer successfully utilizes a diverse range of sentence structures to articulate arguments coherently. Minor improvements in tense consistency and punctuation could refine the essay further, maintaining clarity and enhancing the overall impact of the arguments presented.

Bài sửa mẫu

Nowadays, various plans for urban modernization are proposed to accommodate the growing human population. A contentious debate has emerged about whether residential planning should be developed vertically or horizontally. Both perspectives offer distinct merits, making it challenging to determine the most effective approach. From my standpoint, the choice between these two construction styles depends on individuals’ priorities regarding efficiency or comfort.

When cities expand vertically, employing multi-story buildings or skyscrapers tends to utilize urban space efficiently. A single tall building can provide thousands of accommodations, significantly exceeding the capacity of a smaller building with the same ground dimension. This approach is undoubtedly more space-efficient, particularly in regions experiencing significant population growth. Moreover, adopting this concept allows governments to allocate more resources to public infrastructure and social amenities, promoting a sense of community and enhanced engagement in communal activities. This design enhances urban sustainability within geographical confines while maximizing space utilization.

On the other hand, citizens who prefer horizontal living may find high-rise buildings overwhelming and may prioritize spacious living spaces and aesthetically pleasing surroundings. Horizontal housing styles, such as bungalows or row houses, offer ample living areas, enabling residents to engage in gardening and install recreational amenities, such as swimming pools. Additionally, sprawling city layouts can foster a sense of community, enhancing social connections and promoting a higher quality of life for those who value comfort and close-knit neighborhoods.

In conclusion, the decision between vertical and horizontal urban planning hinges on specific factors such as space optimization and individual comfort preferences. Both approaches have their distinct benefits, and the choice should be made considering the unique context of each city and the preferences of its inhabitants in advancing urban development.