Urban farming has become an increasingly popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in various forms over the past few years. As global concerns about food security intensify, this subject is likely to appear more frequently in future tests. For aspiring IELTS candidates, understanding how to effectively write about urban farming’s contribution to food security is crucial.
Urban farming initiatives transforming city rooftops into productive gardens
Analysis of Common Question Types
The most frequently encountered question type related to urban farming and food security typically asks candidates to discuss the effectiveness of urban farming solutions or evaluate government policies supporting urban agriculture. Let’s examine one such question that has appeared in recent IELTS tests:
Some people believe that urban farming initiatives can significantly contribute to solving food security issues in cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
Similar to should governments incentivize organic farming, this question requires a clear position and well-structured arguments.
Band 8.5 Sample Essay
The rise of urban farming has sparked considerable debate about its potential to address food security challenges in metropolitan areas. While some skeptics question its scalability, I strongly agree that urban agriculture can play a vital role in enhancing food security through multiple mechanisms.
Urban farming initiatives can significantly contribute to food security by providing fresh, locally-grown produce directly to city residents. For instance, rooftop gardens and vertical farms in Singapore now supply approximately 20% of the city’s vegetable needs, demonstrating how importance of urban gardens in food security cannot be underestimated. These urban agricultural projects not only reduce dependence on imported food but also minimize transportation costs and associated carbon emissions.
Furthermore, urban farming creates resilient food systems by diversifying food sources. When traditional agricultural supply chains are disrupted, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, urban farms can provide crucial backup food supplies. This relationship between urban agriculture and food security mirrors the impact of drought on food production, where having multiple sources of food production helps maintain stable supply.
Moreover, urban farming initiatives often incorporate advanced technologies like hydroponics and vertical farming systems, maximizing production in limited spaces. These innovative approaches demonstrate how role of technology in reducing food waste can enhance urban food security while promoting sustainable practices.
In conclusion, urban farming represents a viable solution to food security challenges in cities through local production, system resilience, and technological innovation. As cities continue to grow, the integration of urban agriculture into city planning will become increasingly crucial for sustainable food security.
Advanced vertical farming technology revolutionizing urban food production
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
I agree that urban farming can help solve food problems in cities. This is because it provides fresh food and helps people save money.
First, urban farming gives people access to fresh vegetables and fruits. When people grow food in their gardens or on rooftops, they can eat it immediately after harvesting. For example, in my city, many families grow tomatoes and lettuce on their balconies, and they always have fresh vegetables for their meals.
Second, urban farming helps save money on food. Instead of buying expensive vegetables from supermarkets, people can grow their own food. This is especially important for poor families who cannot afford to buy much food. Also, when more people grow food in cities, the price of vegetables might become cheaper for everyone.
However, urban farming has some problems too. Many people don’t have enough space to grow food, and some don’t know how to farm properly. Sometimes, the soil in cities is not good for growing food, and pollution can affect plant growth.
In conclusion, I think urban farming is good for food security in cities because it provides fresh food and helps people save money, but it also has some limitations that need to be solved.
Analysis of Essays
Band 8.5 Essay Analysis
- Clear position with sophisticated arguments
- Excellent paragraph structure and cohesion
- Advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures
- Relevant examples and specific details
- Strong theme development throughout
Band 6.5 Essay Analysis
- Basic but clear position
- Simple but logical structure
- Limited range of vocabulary
- Basic examples
- Some repetition and simple sentence structures
Key Vocabulary
- urban agriculture (n) /ˈɜːbən ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃər/ – farming in cities
- food security (n) /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/ – reliable access to sufficient food
- resilient (adj) /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to recover quickly
- hydroponics (n) /ˌhaɪdrəˈpɒnɪks/ – growing plants without soil
- sustainable (adj) /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – able to continue over time
- scalability (n) /ˌskeɪləˈbɪləti/ – ability to be increased in size
- vertical farming (n) /ˈvɜːtɪkl ˈfɑːmɪŋ/ – growing crops in vertically stacked layers
Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments for feedback. Consider also exploring related topics like community gardens or urban food waste management for additional practice.
