Automation and its long-term effects have become a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This topic has appeared in various forms over the past few years, reflecting its growing importance in our rapidly evolving technological landscape. As we look towards future IELTS exams, it’s highly likely that questions related to automation, artificial intelligence, and their impact on society and the workforce will continue to feature prominently.

Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams and explore how to craft high-scoring responses.

Analyzing the Question

Some people think that in the future we will have fewer and fewer jobs because of the rapid development of automation. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question directly addresses the long-term effects of automation on employment. Let’s break it down:

1. Topic: The impact of automation on future job availability
2. Task: Express your opinion on the statement and justify your position
3. Key points to consider:
   • The pace of automation development
   • Current and future job market trends
   • Potential job creation in new fields
   • The adaptability of the workforce

Sample Essays for Different Band Scores

Band 8-9 Essay Sample

Technological advancement, particularly in automation, has sparked intense debate about its long-term impact on employment. While some argue that the rapid development of automation will lead to widespread job losses, I partially agree with this view, believing that while certain jobs may indeed disappear, new opportunities will simultaneously emerge.

Undoubtedly, automation has already begun to replace human workers in various sectors. Manufacturing, agriculture, and even some service industries have seen a significant reduction in human labor due to the integration of robotic systems and artificial intelligence. This trend is likely to continue and possibly accelerate as technology becomes more sophisticated. For instance, self-driving vehicles could potentially render millions of transportation jobs obsolete in the coming decades.

However, it would be shortsighted to assume that automation will only eliminate jobs without creating new ones. Historically, technological revolutions have always led to the creation of new industries and job categories that were previously unimaginable. The digital revolution, for example, has given rise to entirely new career paths such as social media management, app development, and data science. Similarly, the automation revolution is likely to spawn new job opportunities in fields such as robot maintenance, AI ethics, and human-machine interaction design.

Moreover, automation often enhances human productivity rather than completely replacing human workers. In many cases, it takes over repetitive or dangerous tasks, allowing humans to focus on more complex, creative, and interpersonal aspects of their jobs. This shift can lead to job enrichment and the need for upskilling, rather than outright job loss.

Nevertheless, the transition to an increasingly automated economy will undoubtedly pose challenges. It is crucial for educational systems and government policies to adapt rapidly, focusing on developing skills that complement rather than compete with automation. Emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability will be key to ensuring that the workforce remains relevant and employable in the face of technological change.

In conclusion, while automation will certainly transform the job market, leading to the obsolescence of some roles, it is overly pessimistic to predict a future with fewer jobs overall. The key lies in our ability to adapt, innovate, and harness the potential of automation to create new opportunities and enhance human capabilities rather than replace them entirely.

(Word count: 365)

factory automation

Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay

This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to a high band score:

1. Task Response: The essay directly addresses the question, presenting a nuanced view that partially agrees with the statement while offering a balanced perspective.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-structured with clear paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of the argument. Linking words and phrases are used effectively to guide the reader through the essay.

3. Lexical Resource: The essay employs a wide range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, such as “technological advancement,” “artificial intelligence,” and “human-machine interaction design.”

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex sentence structures and grammatical forms, with minimal errors.

5. Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with explanations and examples, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the topic.

Band 6-7 Essay Sample

The rapid development of automation has led many to believe that in the future, we will have fewer jobs available. While I agree that some jobs may be lost due to automation, I disagree that this will result in an overall reduction in employment opportunities.

It is true that automation is replacing some jobs, especially in manufacturing and simple service tasks. For example, many factories now use robots instead of human workers to assemble products, which has resulted in job losses in these areas. Additionally, we can see self-checkout machines in supermarkets, reducing the need for cashiers. These trends suggest that some jobs are indeed disappearing due to automation.

However, I believe that automation also creates new job opportunities. As new technologies are developed, there is a need for people to design, build, and maintain these systems. This creates jobs in fields like robotics, software development, and system maintenance. Furthermore, automation often makes businesses more efficient, allowing them to expand and create new positions in other areas of the company.

It’s also important to consider that automation can change the nature of existing jobs rather than eliminating them entirely. Many jobs may be redefined, with workers focusing on tasks that require human skills like creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving. This means that while some aspects of a job might be automated, the overall role can evolve and remain relevant.

To adapt to these changes, it’s crucial for people to be willing to learn new skills and for education systems to prepare students for a rapidly changing job market. Governments and companies should also invest in retraining programs to help workers transition to new roles.

In conclusion, while automation will certainly change the job market, I disagree that it will lead to fewer jobs overall. Instead, it’s likely to create a shift in the types of jobs available, requiring adaptation and continuous learning from the workforce.

(Word count: 309)

Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay

This essay demonstrates several qualities that place it in the Band 6-7 range:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses the main points of the question and presents a clear position.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with separate paragraphs for different ideas. Some linking words are used, though not as sophisticatedly as in the Band 8-9 essay.

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses topic-specific vocabulary, but the range is not as wide as in the higher band essay.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good accuracy, though not as varied as the Band 8-9 essay.

5. Development of Ideas: Ideas are developed with some examples and explanations, but not as thoroughly as in the higher band essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Automation (noun) /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn/: The use of machines or computers instead of people to do a job.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) (noun) /ˌɑːtɪfɪʃl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/: The development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.

3. Obsolescence (noun) /ˌɒbsəˈlesns/: The process of becoming outdated and no longer used.

4. Upskilling (noun) /ʌpˈskɪlɪŋ/: The process of learning new skills or teaching workers new skills.

5. Human-machine interaction (noun phrase) /ˈhjuːmən məˈʃiːn ˌɪntərˈækʃn/: The study of how people use and interact with computer systems.

6. Workforce (noun) /ˈwɜːkfɔːs/: The total number of people who are available to work.

7. Adaptability (noun) /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/: The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.

8. Interpersonal skills (noun phrase) /ˌɪntəˈpɜːsənl skɪlz/: The abilities used to work well with other people.

9. Critical thinking (noun phrase) /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/: The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

10. Job enrichment (noun phrase) /dʒɒb ɪnˈrɪtʃmənt/: A job design technique that aims to make work more satisfying by increasing the skill variety, task identity, and significance of the work.

Conclusion

The topic of automation’s long-term effects on employment is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

1. The impact of AI on education systems
2. The role of governments in managing technological unemployment
3. The ethics of replacing human workers with machines
4. The potential societal impacts of widespread automation

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about knowing the topic, but also about structuring your ideas clearly, using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and developing your arguments with relevant examples.

We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam. Good luck with your preparation!