Economic crises can have severe impacts on various sectors of society, with essential workers often bearing the brunt of these challenges. This topic has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in light of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, it’s becoming increasingly likely to appear in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Let’s explore a potential question on this subject and analyze how to approach it effectively.

Essential workers during economic crisis

Analyzing the Question

Some people believe that during economic crises, governments should prioritize protecting essential workers over other economic concerns. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

This question falls under the “agree or disagree” category of IELTS Writing Task 2. It requires you to present your opinion on whether governments should prioritize the protection of essential workers during economic crises. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

1. Topic: Protecting essential workers during economic crises
2. Focus: Government priorities during economic downturns
3. Task: Express your opinion and provide supporting arguments

When approaching this question, consider the following aspects:

• Definition of essential workers
• Importance of essential workers to society
• Potential impacts of economic crises on essential workers
• Other economic concerns that governments need to address
• Balancing different priorities during economic challenges

Sample Essay (Band 8-9)

In times of economic turmoil, the welfare of essential workers often becomes a contentious issue. While some argue that governments should prioritize protecting these vital members of the workforce above other economic concerns, I partially agree with this view. This essay will explore the reasons why safeguarding essential workers is crucial, but also why a balanced approach is necessary for overall economic stability.

Undoubtedly, essential workers play a critical role in maintaining the basic functions of society, especially during crises. Healthcare professionals, public safety officers, and those involved in food supply chains are indispensable for ensuring public health and safety. Prioritizing their protection through measures such as guaranteed employment, hazard pay, and adequate safety equipment can help maintain these crucial services and prevent societal breakdown. Moreover, by securing the wellbeing of essential workers, governments can indirectly support the broader economy, as these individuals continue to contribute to economic activity and maintain consumer confidence.

However, it would be short-sighted to focus solely on essential workers at the expense of other economic concerns. A comprehensive approach to economic crisis management is necessary to ensure long-term stability and recovery. This includes supporting businesses to prevent widespread bankruptcies, implementing policies to curb unemployment across all sectors, and maintaining critical infrastructure. Neglecting these areas could lead to a prolonged recession, which would ultimately harm essential workers along with the rest of the population.

The optimal strategy, therefore, lies in striking a balance. Governments should indeed prioritize the protection of essential workers, but as part of a broader economic strategy. This could involve targeted support for essential sectors, combined with general economic stimulus measures and social safety nets for all citizens. Such an approach would recognize the unique importance of essential workers while also addressing the interconnected nature of modern economies.

In conclusion, while protecting essential workers during economic crises is crucial, it should not come at the complete expense of other economic concerns. A nuanced approach that safeguards these vital workers within the context of a comprehensive economic strategy is likely to yield the best outcomes for society as a whole. (309 words)

Sample Essay (Band 6-7)

Economic crises can have a big impact on everyone, including essential workers. Some people think governments should focus on protecting these workers more than other economic issues during tough times. I mostly agree with this idea, but I also think other economic concerns are important too.

Essential workers are very important for our society. They include doctors, nurses, police officers, and people who work in supermarkets and deliver food. Without them, our communities wouldn’t function properly, especially during difficult times like economic crises. If the government protects these workers, it can help keep important services running smoothly. This could involve giving them better pay, making sure they have safe working conditions, and providing them with necessary equipment.

However, I don’t think governments should only focus on essential workers and ignore other economic problems. If they do this, it could cause bigger problems for the whole economy in the long run. For example, if many businesses close down because they don’t get help during a crisis, it could lead to high unemployment and make the economic situation worse for everyone, including essential workers.

I believe the best approach is for governments to find a balance. They should definitely make protecting essential workers a high priority, but they should also pay attention to other economic issues. This could mean giving special support to essential workers while also helping other businesses and people who are struggling. By doing this, the government can help keep important services running and also work on fixing the overall economic situation.

In conclusion, I mostly agree that governments should prioritize protecting essential workers during economic crises, but I also think they need to consider other economic concerns. Finding a balance between these two things is probably the best way to handle difficult economic times. (287 words)

Key Considerations When Writing

Vocabulary

When addressing this topic, it’s crucial to use a range of vocabulary related to economics, employment, and government policies. Here are some key terms to consider:

1. Economic downturn (n.) /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈdaʊntɜːn/: A period of reduced economic activity.
2. Essential workers (n.) /ɪˈsenʃəl ˈwɜːkəz/: Employees who perform tasks vital to the functioning of society.
3. Prioritize (v.) /praɪˈɒrətaɪz/: To give importance to something over other things.
4. Economic stimulus (n.) /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈstɪmjələs/: Measures taken to boost economic activity.
5. Social safety net (n.) /ˈsəʊʃəl ˈseɪfti net/: Government programs that provide support to those in need.
6. Hazard pay (n.) /ˈhæzəd peɪ/: Extra compensation for performing dangerous duties.
7. Consumer confidence (n.) /kənˈsjuːmə ˈkɒnfɪdəns/: The degree of optimism consumers feel about the economy.
8. Prolonged recession (n.) /prəˈlɒŋd rɪˈseʃən/: An extended period of economic decline.
9. Comprehensive approach (n.) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv əˈprəʊtʃ/: A strategy that considers all aspects of a situation.
10. Economic recovery (n.) /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk rɪˈkʌvəri/: The process of an economy regaining strength after a period of decline.

Grammar

To achieve a higher band score, it’s important to demonstrate a range of complex grammatical structures. Here are some examples:

1. Conditional sentences: “If governments prioritize essential workers, it could lead to better societal outcomes.”
2. Passive voice: “Essential workers are often overlooked during economic downturns.”
3. Relative clauses: “Policies that protect essential workers can have far-reaching benefits.”
4. Modal verbs for speculation: “Neglecting other economic concerns might result in long-term instability.”
5. Participle clauses: “Considering the importance of essential workers, governments should implement protective measures.”

Remember to use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to showcase your grammatical range.

Conclusion

The topic of protecting essential workers during economic crises is increasingly relevant and likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

• The role of government in supporting different sectors during economic downturns
• Balancing short-term crisis management with long-term economic planning
• The impact of economic crises on various professions and how to mitigate these effects

By exploring these topics, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the subject and be better equipped to handle similar questions in your IELTS exam. Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples.

We encourage you to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.

For more insights on related economic topics, you might find these articles helpful:

• How to Promote Economic Resilience in a Global Economy
• How to Protect the Middle Class During Inflation
• How to Reduce Unemployment During Economic Downturns

These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary to enhance your understanding of economic issues, which will be valuable for tackling similar IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.