WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

One of the major problems that faces today’s governments is

creating enough satisfactory housing for their increasing
populations, whilst still trying to protect the environment.

Discuss this statement and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from
your knowledge or experience.

The balance between developing societies and maintaining the integrity of the
world’s environment is an issue that is constantly in the news. Part of this issue
is the need to create housing for the ever-increasing world population, whilst
keeping as much of the natural world in a pristine condition. This is an issue
that today’s governments face every year.
In most parts of the world, the human population is increasing. Even in more
developed countries, where birth rates are lower, immigration pushes the
countries’ populations higher. All these people need to be housed properly and
a lot of the building and planning naturally has to be done in advance. One
efficient way of housing large numbers of people is by putting up high-rise
buildings, in which more people per square kilometre can be housed. This
maximises the land used. Unfortunately, building high-rises has been tried
before and they are generally regarded as poor housing and eyesores in the
environment.
The balance with the environment must be achieved when trying to increase
housing. Large numbers of species become extinct each year and it is estimated
that the current extinction rate is significantly higher than what the natural
extinction rate should be. This, of course, is due to human activity.
Governments must ensure that housing projects are always studied carefully
before being approved, so that new developments can have the least effect
possible on the environment.
In conclusion, due to increasing population levels, building housing will
continue for the foreseeable future. Governments should address environmental
issues with regards to new projects, but it is unlikely that concern
for the environment will ever be regarded as more important than housing
humanity.

(278 words)