IELTS Task 2 Two-Part Question: Living Alone
Answer two direct questions: why more people live alone, and whether this is a positive or negative development.
- Time
- 40 min
- Length
- 250-300 words
Writadia · C1 · IELTS Task 2
NameClassDate
Your task
In many countries, more and more people are choosing to live alone.
Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Writing toolkit
Open these only when you need them. Try the first draft on your own.
Plan it in steps
- Two questions = two main body paragraphs: reasons, then your evaluation.
- Give two clear reasons and explain each one.
- Decide your answer to question 2 before you start, and keep it.
- A balanced answer is fine, but it must still reach a conclusion.
Useful phrases
Introduction
Reasons
Evaluation
Tap a phrase to add it to your text. Gaps (…) are selected so you can type over them.
Vocabulary
- single-person household
- a home where one person livesSingle-person households are increasing.
- financial independence
- not needing money from othersWomen's financial independence has grown.
- isolation
- being alone without social contactLoneliness and isolation are real risks.
- provided that
- only ifIt is positive, provided that people stay connected.
Model answer (243 words)
Read it after you’ve written your own version. Notice the highlighted parts. The numbers explain why they work.
In many countries, the number of people living on their own has risen sharply in recent decades. This essay will explain why this is happening and argue that, on balance, it is a positive development, although it brings certain risks.1
There are two main reasons for this trend.2 The first is economic. As more people, especially women, have gained financial independence, living alone has become a realistic choice rather than a luxury. The second reason is social. People now marry later, divorce more often and live longer, so many adults spend long periods of their lives without a partner. In addition, attitudes have changed: living alone is no longer seen as a sign of failure but as a normal stage of life.
In my view, this development is mostly positive.3 Living alone gives people the freedom to organise their time and space as they wish, and many young adults say it helps them become more confident and responsible. It also reflects real progress, since people are no longer forced to stay in unhappy relationships for financial reasons.
That said, there are risks, particularly for elderly people, who may become isolated and lonely.4 Smaller households also put pressure on housing, as more homes are needed for the same population.
In conclusion, the rise in solo living is driven by greater independence and changing social patterns. Provided that communities make an effort to keep older people connected, I believe it is a largely positive change.5
- Introduction answers both questions in outline.
- Body 1 = question 1.
- Body 2 = question 2, with a clear position.
- Concession shows balance.
- Conclusion repeats the position and adds a condition.
Teacher notes
Task Response: two-part questions are often half-answered. Students should write Q1 and Q2 in the margin and tick them.
Extra challenge
Write an alternative body paragraph arguing that the trend is mainly negative.
Lesson plan
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: single-person household, financial independence, isolation, provided that.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “The number of single-person households has risen sharply in recent decades.”, “This essay will consider why this is happening and whether it is a cause for concern.”, “One key reason is that ...”.
- 38 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (250-300 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
Assessment rubric
| Criterion | Band 7+ | Band 6 | Band 5 | Band 4 or below | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task Response | All parts answered; position clear throughout and well supported. | All parts addressed; some ideas underdeveloped. | Task partly addressed; position sometimes unclear. | Barely addresses the task or off topic. | |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Logical flow; varied, natural linking; clear paragraphs. | Generally organised; linking sometimes mechanical. | Weak organisation; few or faulty linkers. | Ideas not linked. | |
| Lexical Resource | Wide, precise vocabulary; few slips. | Adequate range; some errors that do not block meaning. | Limited range; noticeable repetition and spelling errors. | Very limited; meaning often lost. | |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Variety of complex structures; most sentences error-free. | Mix of simple and complex forms; errors rarely reduce clarity. | Mostly simple forms; frequent errors. | Errors seriously affect understanding. | |
| Total | |||||
Criterion names are the official IELTS criteria; descriptors are short classroom summaries. Each criterion carries equal weight.
Task checklist
- I answered both questions.
- My position is the same in the introduction and conclusion.
- Each reason is explained, not just listed.
Teacher comment
Peer-review sheet
Students swap texts and give each other feedback with this sheet.
Before you finish
Before you finish
- I answered both questions.
- My position is the same in the introduction and conclusion.
- Each reason is explained, not just listed.
Writadia · C1 · IELTS Task 2
Assessment rubric: IELTS Task 2 Two-Part Question: Living Alone
| Criterion | Band 7+ | Band 6 | Band 5 | Band 4 or below | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task Response | All parts answered; position clear throughout and well supported. | All parts addressed; some ideas underdeveloped. | Task partly addressed; position sometimes unclear. | Barely addresses the task or off topic. | |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Logical flow; varied, natural linking; clear paragraphs. | Generally organised; linking sometimes mechanical. | Weak organisation; few or faulty linkers. | Ideas not linked. | |
| Lexical Resource | Wide, precise vocabulary; few slips. | Adequate range; some errors that do not block meaning. | Limited range; noticeable repetition and spelling errors. | Very limited; meaning often lost. | |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Variety of complex structures; most sentences error-free. | Mix of simple and complex forms; errors rarely reduce clarity. | Mostly simple forms; frequent errors. | Errors seriously affect understanding. | |
| Total | |||||
Criterion names are the official IELTS criteria; descriptors are short classroom summaries. Each criterion carries equal weight.
Task checklist
- I answered both questions.
- My position is the same in the introduction and conclusion.
- Each reason is explained, not just listed.
Teacher comment
Writadia · C1 · IELTS Task 2
Peer-review sheet: IELTS Task 2 Two-Part Question: Living Alone
WriterReviewer
Read your partner’s text carefully. Be kind and specific: say why, not just “good”.
Task checklist
| Yes | Partly | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I answered both questions. | |||
| My position is the same in the introduction and conclusion. | |||
| Each reason is explained, not just listed. |
Questions
- Does the text cover every point in the task?
- Are there paragraphs? What is each one about?
- Write two linking words the writer used.
- Is there a sentence you had to read twice?
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Writadia · C1 · IELTS Task 2
Lesson plan: IELTS Task 2 Two-Part Question: Living Alone
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: single-person household, financial independence, isolation, provided that.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “The number of single-person households has risen sharply in recent decades.”, “This essay will consider why this is happening and whether it is a cause for concern.”, “One key reason is that ...”.
- 38 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (250-300 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
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