The city versus country essay shows up constantly in IELTS Writing Task 2, and most students torpedo it by treating both sides like they're equally valid and stopping there.
Here's the real issue: a discussion essay isn't about sitting on the fence. You need to present both views (that's mandatory), but you also need to actually commit to a position. That's what separates Band 7 writers from Band 5 writers.
In this guide, I'll walk you through the exact structure that scores higher, show you real model sentences, point out the mistakes that cost you marks, and reveal the vocabulary patterns that examiners specifically reward.
The band descriptors for Task 2 require you to "present a clear position" and "develop your ideas fully." This means you can't just say "some people like cities and some like villages" and expect a high score.
Your IELTS writing is marked on four separate criteria:
Most students obsess over Task Response and ignore the other three. Don't be that student.
A typical IELTS discussion essay prompt sounds like this:
"Some people prefer to live in cities while others prefer to live in the countryside. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
Pay attention to what it actually says: discuss BOTH views, then give YOUR opinion. It's not "pick one side and trash the other." It's "show you get both perspectives, then explain which one you think is stronger."
The mistake most students make? They spend half the essay on city life, half on country life, then throw in one sentence at the end like "I prefer cities" without any real explanation. That's not an opinion. That's a cop-out.
Use this template—it consistently hits Band 7 and above:
Your target is 250-300 words total. IELTS requires a minimum of 250 words for Task 2. Most Band 7 essays fall between 280-320 words, which is fine. Anything under 250 looks rushed and will cost you marks on Task Response. Anything over 350 usually means you're repeating yourself.
Let's look at where the marks actually slip away.
Band 5-6 Response: "Living in a city is good because there are more jobs and entertainment. Living in the country is good because it is quiet and peaceful. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I think both are okay."
What kills this? No concrete examples. Zero complex sentences. No real commitment to a position. The final sentence says "both are okay," which directly contradicts the instruction to pick a side.
Band 7+ Response: "While urban environments offer superior employment prospects and cultural amenities, rural areas provide a healthier lifestyle and stronger community bonds. I believe that although cities present undeniable economic advantages for ambitious professionals, their long-term costs to mental health and environmental sustainability make countryside living the more prudent choice for families seeking quality of life."
What's different? Precise vocabulary (superior, amenities, prudent). Complex sentences with subordinate clauses. A genuine position with actual reasoning—not fence-sitting. The writer doesn't just say "I prefer" but shows the trade-off and explains why one wins.
The gap between Band 6 and Band 7 in Lexical Resource boils down to precision. Stop leaning on "good" and "bad."
For positive aspects, use:
For negative aspects, try:
Quick note: Examiners reward vocabulary that's less common but used correctly. "Beneficial" beats "good" only if you get the grammar right. You write "beneficial effects" or "beneficial for," never "beneficial to." Accuracy trumps rarity every time.
This is where most students crack. They think presenting both sides means treating them as equally valid. It doesn't.
Here's the move: present the opposing view fairly, then explain why you find the alternative more convincing. Watch this:
Strong approach: "Proponents of urban living rightfully point to job availability and cultural diversity as major draws. However, these benefits come at a significant cost: increased stress, longer commute times, and reduced access to nature. For this reason, countryside living offers superior long-term wellbeing."
See the move? You acknowledge the city argument (required), then pivot with "However" and explain why the alternative actually tackles the real issue better. You're not dismissing the other side. You're being thoughtful.
Weak approach: "Some people like cities because there are jobs. Other people like the country because it is quiet. Both are important."
This just lists preferences without analysis. No "so what?" No explanation of why one outweighs the other.
Band 7 writers use these structures consistently. Build them into your practice.
Pattern 1: Concession + Contrast
"Although/While [valid point], [counterpoint] suggests that [your position] because [reason]."
Real example: "While cities undoubtedly offer superior employment opportunities, their environmental cost and impact on mental wellbeing suggest that countryside living should be prioritized."
Pattern 2: Cause and Effect with Specificity
"The consequence of [urban issue] is [effect], leading to [result]."
Real example: "The consequence of rapid urbanization is severe air pollution, leading to widespread respiratory disease among city dwellers."
Pattern 3: Relative Clauses for Detail
"[Subject] provides [noun], which [explains why it matters]."
Real example: "Rural areas provide a slower pace of life, which many find essential for mental restoration."
Mistake 1: No real position. If your conclusion says "both have advantages," you haven't given an opinion. An opinion sounds like: "urban living is ultimately better because..." or "countryside living is preferable because..." Pick one and defend it.
Mistake 2: Repeating yourself. If you mention "job opportunities in cities" in paragraph 2, don't mention it again in paragraph 3. Introduce a new reason instead. Examiners spot repetition instantly.
Mistake 3: Lazy transition words. Band 6 writers say "Also" and "But." Band 7 writers say "Conversely," "This notwithstanding," or "The evidence suggests." Swap out your transitions.
Mistake 4: Introduction and conclusion that sound identical. They should be similar in tone but not a carbon copy. Your conclusion should feel like you've arrived somewhere, not like you're repeating where you started.
Mistake 5: Claims without examples. "Cities offer more entertainment" is weak. "Cities host world-class museums, theaters, and concert venues that rural areas lack" is strong. Specificity matters.
Real talk: You don't need to actually believe your opinion. IELTS doesn't grade your personal beliefs. It grades your ability to construct a logical argument with supporting reasons. Some of the best Band 8 essays defend positions the student doesn't hold, because they had to think harder to make it work.
Here's a Band 7 IELTS essay example broken down so you see exactly why each part works.
Introduction:
"Urban and rural living each present distinct lifestyles, with compelling advocates on both sides. Cities offer economic opportunity and cultural stimulation, whilst countryside areas provide tranquility and stronger community bonds. However, I believe that although urban centers possess undeniable professional advantages, the adverse effects on health and environment make rural living the more sustainable choice for long-term wellbeing."
Why this works: Clear setup, acknowledgment of both sides, explicit position in the final sentence. That last sentence is crucial—it tells the examiner exactly where you stand.
Body Paragraph 1 (City Advantages):
"Cities undoubtedly attract ambitious professionals seeking career advancement. The concentration of businesses, educational institutions, and specialized employment creates opportunities unavailable in rural regions. Moreover, urban areas provide superior access to healthcare, entertainment, and public services. These factors explain why approximately 56% of the global population now lives in cities."
Why this works: You present the opposing view fairly with a concrete detail (the 56% statistic). Varied vocabulary (undoubtedly, concentration, superior). The writer acknowledges legitimate advantages before moving on.
Body Paragraph 2 (Your Position):
"Conversely, these urban benefits mask significant costs. Pollution, traffic congestion, and crowded living spaces generate chronic stress, leading to higher rates of mental illness. Rural communities, by contrast, foster stronger social bonds and connection to nature, both proven to enhance wellbeing. Given that happiness and health should supersede material gain, countryside living represents the more rational choice."
Why this works: The transition word "Conversely" signals contrast. New reasons appear (mental health, social bonds). The writer explains the logic ("happiness should supersede material gain"). Cause-effect structure is clear.
Conclusion:
"While urban areas will continue attracting those seeking professional success, the long-term costs to physical and mental health suggest that rural living offers superior quality of life. Society should encourage a better balance between urban employment and countryside wellbeing."
Why this works: Summarizes both views without copying earlier sentences. Restates the position clearly. Ends with a broader implication that feels like a destination, not a repeat of the opening.
If you want detailed feedback on an essay of your own, our free IELTS writing checker will score each criterion and show you exactly where to improve.
The city vs country prompt is a discussion essay, which means it's slightly different from opinion essays or problem-solution essays. In an opinion essay about whether art should be government-funded, you can be more aggressive about your position. In a discussion essay, you have to show you understand the other side first.
The structure is also different from essays about advantages and disadvantages of gap years, where you might spend equal time on both sides. Here, you still need to commit to one.
IELTS Writing Task 2 essays come in several formats. A discussion essay is specifically when the prompt uses the word "discuss" alongside both sides of a topic. Unlike opinion essays (where you argue one point) or advantage/disadvantage essays (where you balance both sides equally), discussion essays require you to acknowledge both perspectives then take a stance.
If the prompt says "Discuss both views and give your own opinion," use this structure. If it says only "What is your opinion?" use a pure opinion essay format instead. The distinction affects how you balance your paragraphs.
Pick one of these related essay topics and outline your response using the four-paragraph structure:
Write your introduction and both body paragraphs, then check them against the criteria: Did you take a position? Did you present both views fairly? Did you use varied vocabulary? Are your sentences complex enough?
Here's what examiners typically see at each band for discussion essays:
Band 5: Position exists but isn't entirely clear. Both views mentioned but superficially. Simple vocabulary (good, bad, important). Basic sentence structures. Some repetition.
Band 6: Position is clear but underdeveloped. Both views present but one side lacks depth. Vocabulary is adequate but sometimes repetitive. Some complex sentences but with occasional errors.
Band 7: Position is clear and well-developed. Both views explained fairly with good balance. Varied, accurate vocabulary. Multiple complex sentences with few errors. Ideas flow logically.
Band 8: Position is nuanced and convincing. Both views explained with insight. Precise vocabulary used naturally. Complex sentences throughout. Seamless transitions between ideas.
Most students aiming for Band 7 lose points on Coherence & Cohesion (weak transitions, ideas jump around) or Grammatical Range (too many simple sentences, no complex structures). Fix those two things and you're usually at Band 7.
Write a full city vs country IELTS essay right now, targeting 280 words. Give yourself 40 minutes. Then use our IELTS writing checker to get a band score estimate and detailed feedback on all four criteria. The tool scores your Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range separately so you know exactly where to improve.
If you want to work on similar discussion essays, check out our post on whether zoos are cruel or educational. It uses the exact same structure and shows you how to handle a discussion prompt where the two sides are less obvious.
The difference between Band 6 and Band 7 isn't intelligence. It's knowing the pattern, committing to a position, and varying your language. You've got the pattern now.