Climate change and its impact on global agriculture is a critical topic that has gained significant attention in recent years. As an IELTS examiner, I’ve observed an increasing trend of this subject appearing in Writing Task 2 questions. Given its relevance to current global issues, it’s highly likely that you’ll encounter a question related to this theme in your upcoming IELTS exam.
Let’s explore a sample question that reflects this topic and analyze how to approach it effectively.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that climate change will have a devastating effect on global agriculture in the coming decades. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question falls under the “agree or disagree” category of IELTS Writing Task 2. It requires you to express your opinion on the potential impact of climate change on global agriculture. Let’s break down the key elements:
- Topic: Climate change and its effect on global agriculture
- Focus: The severity of the impact (“devastating effect”)
- Time frame: “in the coming decades”
- Task: Express your level of agreement or disagreement
When approaching this question, consider the following:
- Your stance on the issue
- Evidence to support your viewpoint
- Potential counterarguments
- The long-term implications of climate change on agriculture
Now, let’s look at two sample essays that address this question – one aiming for a Band 8-9 score and another for a Band 6-7 score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global issues of our time, with its far-reaching consequences affecting various sectors, including agriculture. I strongly agree with the statement that climate change will have a devastating effect on global agriculture in the coming decades, and this essay will elucidate the reasons for this stance.
Firstly, the unpredictable and extreme weather patterns associated with climate change pose a significant threat to crop yields worldwide. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns can lead to prolonged droughts in some regions and excessive rainfall in others, both of which can be detrimental to crop growth and sustainability. For instance, the recent heatwaves in Europe and North America have resulted in substantial losses in wheat and corn production, highlighting the vulnerability of our food systems to climatic variations.
Moreover, climate change is likely to exacerbate the spread of pests and diseases that affect crops. Warmer temperatures create favorable conditions for the proliferation of harmful insects and pathogens, which can devastate entire harvests. The recent outbreaks of desert locusts in East Africa, fueled by unusual weather patterns, serve as a stark reminder of how climate change can indirectly impact food security on a massive scale.
Furthermore, the rise in sea levels due to global warming poses a severe threat to coastal agricultural lands. Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers and the inundation of low-lying fertile areas could render vast tracts of agricultural land unusable. This is particularly concerning for countries with extensive coastlines and island nations, where arable land is already limited.
While some might argue that technological advancements in agriculture could mitigate these impacts, it is crucial to recognize that the pace of climate change may outstrip our ability to adapt. The development and implementation of climate-resilient crop varieties and farming techniques require time and resources that many regions, especially in developing countries, may not have.
In conclusion, the cumulative effects of extreme weather events, pest proliferation, and loss of arable land due to climate change are likely to have a devastating impact on global agriculture in the coming decades. It is imperative that we take immediate and decisive action to mitigate climate change and develop sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security for future generations.
(Word count: 367)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Climate change is a big problem in the world today, and many people think it will badly affect farming in the future. I agree that climate change will have a very negative impact on global agriculture in the coming years.
One main reason for this is that climate change causes unusual weather. Farmers depend on regular weather patterns to grow their crops, but climate change is making the weather more unpredictable. For example, some places are getting too much rain, while others are having long dry periods. This makes it hard for farmers to know when to plant their crops and how to take care of them.
Another problem is that climate change can bring new pests and diseases to farm areas. When the temperature gets warmer, insects and plant diseases that usually can’t survive in certain places might be able to live there. This can damage crops and make it harder for farmers to protect their plants.
Also, as the Earth gets warmer, sea levels are rising. This is bad for farming because salt water can get into the soil near the coast, making it difficult to grow crops there. Some farmers might lose their land because of this.
However, some people might say that new farming methods and technology can help solve these problems. While this is partly true, I think the changes from climate change are happening too fast for all farmers to keep up, especially in poorer countries.
In conclusion, I believe climate change will seriously harm global agriculture because of strange weather, new crop diseases, and rising sea levels. It’s important for everyone to work together to stop climate change and help farmers adapt to these new challenges.
(Word count: 283)
Key Points to Consider When Writing
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Vocabulary Usage:
- For Band 8-9: Use sophisticated vocabulary relevant to the topic. Examples from Essay 1 include “exacerbate,” “proliferation,” “inundation,” and “arable.”
- For Band 6-7: Use a mix of common and some advanced vocabulary. Examples from Essay 2 include “unpredictable,” “unusual weather,” and “adapt.”
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Grammar and Sentence Structure:
- For Band 8-9: Employ a variety of complex sentence structures. Note the use of conditional sentences and relative clauses in Essay 1.
- For Band 6-7: Use a mix of simple and complex sentences. Essay 2 demonstrates this with shorter sentences and some compound-complex structures.
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Coherence and Cohesion:
- Both essays use clear paragraphing and linking words to ensure a logical flow of ideas.
- Essay 1 demonstrates more sophisticated coherence with smoother transitions between ideas.
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Task Response:
- Both essays clearly state their position and provide relevant examples to support their arguments.
- Essay 1 offers more in-depth analysis and considers counterarguments, which is expected for higher band scores.
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Development of Ideas:
- Essay 1 provides more detailed explanations and specific examples, which is characteristic of higher band scores.
- Essay 2 offers valid points but with less elaboration, which is typical for Band 6-7 responses.
Essential Vocabulary for This Topic
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Climate change (noun) /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/: Long-term shifts in global weather patterns and average temperatures.
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Global warming (noun) /ˈɡləʊbəl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/: The gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere.
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Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/: The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.
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Crop yield (noun) /krɒp jiːld/: The amount of crop produced per unit of land area.
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Arable land (noun) /ˈærəbl lænd/: Land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops.
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Food security (noun) /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/: The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
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Resilient (adjective) /rɪˈzɪliənt/: Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
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Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/: The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
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Adaptation (noun) /ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/: The process of changing to suit different conditions.
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Biodiversity (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/: The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
In conclusion, the impact of climate change on global agriculture is a crucial topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. By understanding the key issues and practicing with sample questions like the one discussed here, you can improve your ability to write a well-structured and informative essay on this subject.
To further enhance your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related themes such as:
- The role of technology in mitigating the effects of climate change on agriculture
- The responsibility of developed nations in helping developing countries adapt their agricultural practices to climate change
- The potential benefits and drawbacks of genetically modified crops in addressing climate change challenges
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.