Job automation and its impact on young workers is a critical topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme has appeared frequently in recent years and is likely to remain relevant in future exams. Let’s examine a real IELTS question that addresses this issue:
Some people think that in the future, machines will do most of the jobs that humans do now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Express their level of agreement with the statement
- Discuss both advantages and disadvantages of increased job automation
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-scoring response.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
The rapid advancement of technology has led many to speculate that machines will eventually replace human workers in most jobs. While I partially agree with this assertion, I believe the reality will be more nuanced, with both positive and negative consequences.
On one hand, it is undeniable that automation and artificial intelligence are already transforming numerous industries. Robots and algorithms are increasingly capable of performing tasks that were once exclusive to humans, from manufacturing to data analysis. This trend is likely to continue, potentially leading to significant job displacement in certain sectors. For instance, self-driving vehicles could render many transportation jobs obsolete, while sophisticated software might reduce the need for certain administrative roles.
However, I do not believe that machines will completely dominate the job market. Human skills such as creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving remain difficult to replicate artificially. Moreover, as some jobs disappear, new opportunities are likely to emerge in fields related to technology development, maintenance, and human-machine interaction. This shift may require extensive retraining and education programs to ensure that workers can adapt to the changing job landscape.
The advantages of increased automation are substantial. Machines can often perform tasks more efficiently, accurately, and safely than humans, leading to increased productivity and economic growth. This could potentially reduce working hours for humans, allowing more time for leisure, personal development, and family life. Additionally, automation of dangerous or mundane tasks could improve overall job satisfaction and worker well-being.
Nevertheless, the disadvantages cannot be ignored. Large-scale job displacement could lead to unemployment, income inequality, and social unrest if not managed properly. There are also concerns about the loss of human connection in certain professions, such as healthcare or education, where the human touch is often crucial. Furthermore, over-reliance on technology could potentially make societies vulnerable to system failures or cyber-attacks.
In conclusion, while machines will likely take over many current jobs, I believe human workers will continue to play a vital role in the future economy. The key lies in how technology affects traditional job markets and how societies adapt to these changes. It is crucial for governments, businesses, and educational institutions to work together to ensure that the benefits of automation are maximized while mitigating its negative impacts on workers and society as a whole.
(Word count: 374)
Young people preparing for an automated job market
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Many people believe that in the future, machines will do most of the jobs that humans do now. I partly agree with this statement, and I think there are both good and bad points about this trend.
First, I agree that machines will take over many jobs. We can already see this happening in factories, where robots do a lot of the work. In the future, we might see self-driving cars replace taxi drivers, or AI programs that can write reports instead of office workers. This is because machines can often work faster and make fewer mistakes than humans.
However, I don’t think machines will do all jobs. Some jobs need human skills like creativity or emotional understanding. For example, it’s hard to imagine a robot being a good therapist or coming up with new ideas for art or music. Also, as old jobs disappear, new jobs might be created to manage and fix the machines.
There are some advantages to this trend. When machines do more work, it can make things cheaper and more available for everyone. It might also mean that people don’t have to do dangerous or boring jobs anymore. This could give people more free time to enjoy life or learn new things.
On the other hand, there are also disadvantages. The biggest problem is that many people might lose their jobs and not be able to find new ones. This could cause a lot of unemployment and make the gap between rich and poor people bigger. Another issue is that we might become too dependent on machines, which could be a problem if they break down or get hacked.
In conclusion, while I think machines will do many jobs in the future, I don’t believe they will completely replace humans. It’s important for governments and schools to help people learn new skills so they can work alongside machines. We need to find a balance between using technology to make our lives better and keeping the human touch in important areas.
(Word count: 329)
Band 5-6 Sample Essay
In my opinion, I agree that machines will do many jobs in the future that humans do now. This trend has some good points and bad points.
One good thing is that machines can work very fast and don’t make mistakes like humans. For example, in factories, robots can make cars much faster than people. This means we can have more things and they might be cheaper. Also, machines can do dangerous jobs, which is safer for humans.
But there are also some bad things about this. Many people might lose their jobs because of machines. This is a big problem because people need money to live. If they don’t have jobs, they will be very poor and unhappy. Another problem is that some jobs need human feelings, like being a teacher or a nurse. Machines can’t do these jobs well.
I think in the future, we will see more machines doing jobs, but humans will still be important. Maybe people will need to learn new skills to work with machines. The impact of automation on global unemployment rates is a complex issue that needs careful consideration.
In conclusion, machines doing human jobs has both good and bad effects. We need to be careful and make sure that this change helps everyone, not just some people.
(Word count: 204)
Analysis of the Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a sophisticated approach to the topic:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position and discussing both advantages and disadvantages.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout the essay. Paragraphing is well-managed and cohesive devices are used effectively.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and accuracy.
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay shows good writing skills but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay:
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, although some aspects are covered more thoroughly than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but some paragraphs are better linked than others.
- Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used appropriately, with some awareness of style and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, generally with good control.
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates basic writing skills but has notable limitations:
- Task Response: The essay addresses the task but some aspects are underdeveloped.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The overall structure is clear, but paragraphing is not always logical and cohesive devices are limited.
- Lexical Resource: The vocabulary range is limited, with some repetition and inappropriate word choice.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Sentence structures are simple and repetitive, with some errors that may cause slight difficulty for the reader.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Automation (noun) – /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn/ – The use of machines or computers to do work that was previously done by people
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) (noun) – /ˌɑːtɪfɪʃl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/ – The development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence
- Obsolete (adjective) – /ˈɒbsəliːt/ – No longer in use or no longer useful
- Displacement (noun) – /dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ – The act of forcing something out of its usual place
- Retraining (noun) – /riːˈtreɪnɪŋ/ – The process of learning new skills, especially to do a different job
- Productivity (noun) – /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/ – The rate at which goods are produced or work is completed
- Income inequality (noun phrase) – /ˈɪnkʌm ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ – The extent to which income is distributed in an uneven manner among a population
- Cyber-attack (noun) – /ˈsaɪbər əˌtæk/ – An attempt to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network
- Adaptability (noun) – /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/ – The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions or situations
- Human-machine interaction (noun phrase) – /ˈhjuːmən məˈʃiːn ˌɪntərˈækʃn/ – The study of how people use and interact with computer systems
Conclusion
The impact of job automation on youth is a complex and multifaceted topic that is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare for similar questions, consider practicing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of education in preparing young people for an automated workforce
- The ethical implications of replacing human workers with machines
- How to promote ethical use of AI in business
- How does globalization affect the job market for youth in the context of increasing automation
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and fully address all aspects of the question. Practice writing essays on these topics and consider sharing them in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners.