Digital currencies and their impact on global trade have become increasingly relevant topics in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. As an experienced IELTS instructor, I’ve noticed a growing trend in questions related to this subject. While not as common as traditional economic topics, the frequency of digital currency-related questions has been steadily rising, reflecting the global shift towards digital finance. In this article, we’ll explore a recent IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Task 2 Question
Let’s examine a question that closely resembles those seen in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that digital currencies will eventually replace traditional money and revolutionize global trade. Others think that traditional currencies will remain dominant. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Question Breakdown:
- Topic: The future of digital currencies in global trade
- Task: Discuss both views and give your opinion
- Key points to address:
- The potential of digital currencies to replace traditional money
- The impact on global trade
- The continued dominance of traditional currencies
- Your personal stance on the issue
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Response
In recent years, the rise of digital currencies has sparked a heated debate about their potential to revolutionize global trade and potentially replace traditional money. While some argue that these new forms of currency will eventually dominate the financial landscape, others maintain that conventional currencies will retain their supremacy. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint on this complex issue.
Proponents of digital currencies argue that they offer numerous advantages over traditional money, particularly in the realm of international trade. Firstly, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum facilitate faster and more cost-effective cross-border transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries and reducing fees. This efficiency could significantly boost global trade by making it easier for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to engage in international commerce. Moreover, digital currencies are not subject to the same inflationary pressures as fiat money, potentially providing a more stable store of value in the long term.
On the other hand, supporters of traditional currencies contend that they will continue to dominate due to several factors. The established infrastructure, widespread acceptance, and government backing of conventional money give it a significant advantage over digital alternatives. Central banks and financial institutions have invested heavily in maintaining the current system, and many people still prefer the tangibility and familiarity of physical cash. Additionally, concerns about the volatility of cryptocurrencies and their potential use in illegal activities have led to increased regulatory scrutiny, which may hinder their widespread adoption.
In my opinion, while digital currencies will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in global trade, they are unlikely to completely replace traditional money in the foreseeable future. Instead, I believe we will see a hybrid system where digital and conventional currencies coexist and complement each other. This synergy could leverage the strengths of both forms of money, potentially leading to a more robust and flexible global financial system that can better serve the needs of an increasingly interconnected world economy.
In conclusion, the impact of digital currencies on global trade is a complex and evolving issue. While they offer significant advantages in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, traditional currencies benefit from established infrastructure and widespread acceptance. The future is likely to see a balanced approach, with both forms of money contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive global financial ecosystem.
(Word count: 377)
Essay Analysis:
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 8-9 response:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Complex ideas are expressed with precision.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of grammatical structures with flexibility and accuracy. Errors are rare and do not impede communication.
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Critical Thinking: The essay demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic, considering multiple perspectives and potential future scenarios.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Response
The emergence of digital currencies has led to discussions about their potential to change global trade and possibly replace traditional money. Some people think these new currencies will become dominant, while others believe traditional currencies will stay in control. This essay will look at both sides of the argument and share my thoughts on the matter.
Those who support digital currencies say they have many benefits for international trade. Digital currencies like Bitcoin can make it faster and cheaper to send money across borders, which could help businesses trade more easily. They also don’t depend on any single country’s economy, which might make them more stable than regular money in some ways. This could be especially helpful for countries with weak currencies or high inflation rates.
However, people who favor traditional currencies argue that they will continue to be the main form of money. They say that regular money is backed by governments and central banks, which makes it more trustworthy. Also, most people are used to using traditional money and might not want to switch to something new. There are also worries about the safety and legality of digital currencies, which could stop them from being widely used.
In my opinion, digital currencies will become more important in global trade, but they probably won’t completely replace traditional money anytime soon. I think we’ll see both types of currency being used together, with digital currencies being more common for international transactions and traditional money still being used for everyday purchases.
To sum up, digital currencies have the potential to change how global trade works, but traditional currencies still have many advantages. In the future, we’ll likely see a mix of both digital and traditional money being used in the global economy.
(Word count: 295)
Essay Analysis:
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 response:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects could be developed further.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used, though some repetition is evident. The language is less precise than in the higher band essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, with occasional errors that do not impede communication.
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Critical Thinking: The essay presents a balanced view but lacks the depth of analysis seen in the higher band response.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Digital currency (noun) /ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈkʌrənsi/: Money that exists electronically and is not physical.
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Cryptocurrency (noun) /ˈkrɪptəʊˌkʌrənsi/: A type of digital currency that uses cryptography for security.
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Global trade (noun phrase) /ˈɡləʊbl treɪd/: The exchange of goods and services between countries.
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Revolutionize (verb) /ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/: To completely change the way something works or is organized.
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Cross-border transactions (noun phrase) /krɒs ˈbɔːdə trænˈzækʃnz/: Financial operations that occur between different countries.
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Fiat money (noun phrase) /ˈfiːæt ˈmʌni/: Government-issued currency that is not backed by a physical commodity.
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Volatility (noun) /ˌvɒləˈtɪləti/: The tendency to change quickly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
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Regulatory scrutiny (noun phrase) /ˈreɡjələtəri ˈskruːtɪni/: Close examination by official bodies that oversee financial systems.
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Financial ecosystem (noun phrase) /faɪˈnænʃl ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/: The interconnected network of financial institutions, services, and markets.
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Intermediary (noun) /ˌɪntəˈmiːdiəri/: A person or organization that acts as a link between parties to bring about an agreement.
Conclusion
The impact of digital currencies on global trade is a fascinating and relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. As this subject continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more questions related to digital finance, blockchain technology, and their effects on international commerce. To prepare for such questions, consider practicing with prompts like:
- Discuss the potential benefits and risks of adopting digital currencies for developing economies.
- Some people believe that blockchain technology will make international trade more transparent and efficient. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- The rise of digital currencies has led to concerns about financial privacy and security. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to fully address the question, organize your ideas logically, use a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Practice writing essays on these topics and feel free to share your attempts in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!