IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' topic

Here's an exam question that a student sent me. We'll work on it over the next few weeks.

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

..........

PS. If you missed my 7-day IELTS writing course, I'll make it available again later today.