Seasonal allergies and their impact on public health are becoming increasingly relevant topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. While not a frequent subject, it has appeared in recent years and could potentially emerge more often due to growing environmental concerns. Let’s explore this theme through a carefully selected question that reflects real IELTS exam patterns.
Some people believe that the increasing prevalence of seasonal allergies is a significant public health concern that requires immediate attention. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Analyzing the Question
This question asks for your opinion on whether the rising occurrence of seasonal allergies is a major public health issue needing urgent action. To answer effectively:
- Clearly state your position (agree/disagree/partially agree)
- Provide reasons and examples to support your stance
- Consider counterarguments to demonstrate a balanced view
- Conclude by restating your opinion
Now, let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality, targeting different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Seasonal allergies, once considered a mere inconvenience, have evolved into a pressing public health concern that demands immediate attention. I strongly agree with the statement that the increasing prevalence of these allergies poses a significant threat to public health, and this essay will elucidate the reasons behind this stance.
Firstly, the rising incidence of seasonal allergies has far-reaching economic implications. As more individuals suffer from allergic reactions, workplace productivity inevitably declines. Employees experiencing severe symptoms may require frequent sick days or struggle to concentrate, resulting in substantial economic losses. Moreover, the healthcare costs associated with treating allergies, including medications and doctor visits, place an additional burden on both individuals and healthcare systems.
Furthermore, the quality of life for allergy sufferers is significantly compromised. Chronic symptoms such as persistent sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion can severely impact daily activities, social interactions, and overall well-being. This diminished quality of life extends beyond the individual, affecting families and communities as a whole. Children with severe allergies may miss school days, hindering their educational progress and social development.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that some may argue that other health issues deserve more immediate attention. While concerns such as infectious diseases or chronic illnesses like cancer and heart disease may seem more pressing, it is important to recognize that the increasing prevalence of seasonal allergies is intrinsically linked to broader environmental changes. The rise in allergies serves as a canary in the coal mine, indicating larger ecological shifts that could have even more severe health consequences in the future.
In conclusion, the growing prevalence of seasonal allergies undoubtedly constitutes a significant public health concern that warrants urgent action. The economic impact, reduced quality of life, and potential indication of broader environmental issues make this a multifaceted problem that requires immediate and comprehensive attention from health authorities, policymakers, and the scientific community.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
I agree that the increasing prevalence of seasonal allergies is a significant public health concern that needs immediate attention. This essay will discuss the reasons for this opinion.
Firstly, seasonal allergies affect many people’s health and daily lives. When people have allergies, they feel uncomfortable and can’t do their normal activities well. For example, students might not be able to concentrate in class, and workers might be less productive at their jobs. This can have a big impact on society and the economy.
Secondly, treating allergies can be expensive for both individuals and healthcare systems. People need to buy medicines and see doctors, which costs money. If more people are getting allergies, it means more money is being spent on healthcare. This could be a problem for countries with limited healthcare resources.
However, some people might say that there are more serious health problems to worry about, like cancer or heart disease. While these are indeed important, we shouldn’t ignore the growing problem of allergies. Allergies can sometimes lead to more serious conditions like asthma, so it’s important to address them early.
Another reason why seasonal allergies are a concern is that they might be a sign of environmental changes. If more people are getting allergies, it could mean that something in our environment is changing, like air pollution or climate change. This could have even bigger health impacts in the future.
In conclusion, I believe that the increasing prevalence of seasonal allergies is a significant public health concern. It affects people’s health, productivity, and quality of life, and it could be a sign of bigger environmental problems. Therefore, it’s important for health authorities to pay attention to this issue and take action to address it.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
I agree that seasonal allergies are a big health problem that needs to be fixed quickly. There are many reasons why I think this.
First, lots of people get allergies these days. When someone has allergies, they feel bad and can’t do their work or study well. This is not good for them or for society.
Also, allergies cost a lot of money. People have to buy medicine and go to the doctor. This is expensive for them and for the government.
But some people might say other health problems are more important. Things like cancer or heart disease are very serious. However, I think allergies are also important because they make many people’s lives difficult.
Another reason allergies are bad is that they might show that our environment is changing. If more people are getting allergies, maybe it means the air is getting more polluted or the weather is changing.
In conclusion, I think seasonal allergies are a big health problem that needs to be fixed soon. They affect many people’s lives and cost a lot of money. Also, they might show that there are bigger problems with our environment.
Common seasonal allergy symptoms and treatments
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position
- Presents well-developed ideas with logical progression
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary precisely and effectively
- Demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures with flexibility and accuracy
- Uses cohesive devices effectively
- Presents a clear central topic in each paragraph
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary with some inaccuracies
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Has adequate paragraph organization, but not always logical
- Uses cohesive devices but not always appropriately
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but development is not always clear
- Uses limited range of vocabulary; errors may cause some difficulty for the reader
- Uses a limited range of structures with some errors
- Presents information with some organization but there may be lack of overall progression
- Makes inadequate, inaccurate or overuse of cohesive devices
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Prevalence (noun) /ˈprevələns/: The fact of being common or widespread
- Implications (noun) /ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃənz/: Possible effects or results of an action or decision
- Elucidate (verb) /ɪˈluːsɪdeɪt/: To explain or make something clear
- Far-reaching (adjective) /fɑːr ˈriːtʃɪŋ/: Having a wide range of effects or influences
- Multifaceted (adjective) /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/: Having many different aspects or features
- Canary in the coal mine (idiom): An early warning of danger
- Intrinsically (adverb) /ɪnˈtrɪnsɪkli/: In an essential or natural way
- Compromise (verb) /ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/: To harm or weaken something
- Ecological (adjective) /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/: Relating to the environment and how organisms interact with it
- Comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/: Including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
In conclusion, this topic on seasonal allergies and public health offers a rich opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills in IELTS Task 2. Remember to clearly state your position, provide well-developed reasons, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and consider sharing it in the comments for feedback and further discussion. This active engagement will significantly enhance your IELTS writing skills.