Food security in urban areas has become an increasingly pressing issue in recent years. As cities grow and populations expand, ensuring a stable and sustainable food supply for urban dwellers presents unique challenges. This topic has gained significant attention in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, reflecting its global importance. Based on trends in past exams and the relevance of this subject, we can expect to see more questions related to urban food security in future IELTS tests.
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that governments should focus on solving food supply problems in cities rather than in rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
This question asks for your opinion on whether governments should prioritize addressing food supply issues in urban areas over rural regions. It’s an “agree or disagree” type question, which requires you to clearly state your position and support it with relevant arguments and examples.
Key points to consider:
- The contrast between urban and rural food supply challenges
- The reasons why urban food security might be seen as more critical
- The potential consequences of neglecting rural food supply issues
- The interconnectedness of urban and rural food systems
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Response
In recent years, the issue of food security has gained prominence, with some arguing that governments should concentrate their efforts on resolving food supply problems in urban areas rather than rural regions. While I acknowledge the importance of addressing urban food challenges, I disagree with the notion that this should come at the expense of rural areas. Instead, I believe a balanced approach is necessary to ensure food security for all.
Undoubtedly, cities face unique food supply challenges that require attention. The high population density in urban areas means that even minor disruptions to food supply chains can affect millions of people. Moreover, urban dwellers often lack the space and resources to grow their own food, making them more vulnerable to food shortages. These factors underscore the need for robust urban food systems and justify government intervention in this area.
However, prioritizing urban food security at the expense of rural areas would be short-sighted and potentially counterproductive. Rural regions are often the primary source of food for both urban and rural populations. Neglecting rural food production and distribution systems could lead to decreased overall food output, ultimately exacerbating urban food supply problems. Furthermore, rural communities are often more vulnerable to economic fluctuations and climate change impacts, which can directly affect their ability to produce food.
A more effective approach would be for governments to address food security holistically, recognizing the interdependence of urban and rural food systems. This could involve investing in sustainable agricultural practices in rural areas to increase productivity and resilience, while simultaneously developing efficient distribution networks to ensure that food reaches urban consumers. Additionally, governments could promote urban agriculture initiatives and support local food production in cities to complement rural food supplies.
In conclusion, while urban food security is undoubtedly a critical issue, it should not be addressed in isolation from rural food challenges. A comprehensive strategy that strengthens both urban and rural food systems is essential for achieving long-term food security for all citizens, regardless of their location.
(Word count: 309)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a high band score (8-9) for the following reasons:
- Clear position: The writer clearly disagrees with the statement and proposes a balanced approach.
- Coherent structure: The essay follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Well-developed arguments: Each point is thoroughly explained and supported with relevant examples.
- Sophisticated vocabulary: The essay uses a range of advanced vocabulary accurately (e.g., “prominence,” “exacerbating,” “holistically”).
- Complex sentence structures: The writer uses a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with multiple clauses.
- Cohesive devices: The essay employs a range of linking words and phrases to connect ideas smoothly (e.g., “However,” “Moreover,” “Furthermore”).
- Addressing all parts of the task: The essay discusses both urban and rural food security issues, providing a balanced perspective.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Response
Some people think that governments should focus on solving food supply problems in cities instead of rural areas. I partially agree with this opinion because cities have more urgent food security challenges, but I also believe that rural areas should not be completely ignored.
On one hand, cities have several reasons why their food supply problems need immediate attention. Firstly, cities have a much larger population compared to rural areas, so any food shortage can affect more people. For example, a disruption in food supply to a big city like Ho Chi Minh City could impact millions of residents. Secondly, most people in cities don’t have the ability to grow their own food, unlike in rural areas where many families have gardens or small farms. This makes city dwellers more dependent on the food supply system.
However, I don’t think rural areas should be completely forgotten when it comes to food security. Rural regions are often where most of our food is produced, so ignoring their problems could lead to bigger issues for everyone, including city people. If farmers in rural areas can’t grow enough food due to lack of support, it will eventually cause food shortages in cities too. Additionally, many people in rural areas are poor and need help to access enough food for themselves.
In my opinion, the best solution is for governments to balance their efforts between urban and rural areas. They could focus on improving food distribution and storage systems in cities to prevent shortages. At the same time, they should support farmers in rural areas to increase food production and help poor rural families access enough food. This way, both urban and rural food security can be improved.
In conclusion, while I agree that urban food supply problems need urgent attention, I believe that a balanced approach addressing both urban and rural food security is necessary for long-term success.
(Word count: 309)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 score for the following reasons:
- Clear position: The writer partially agrees with the statement and explains their stance.
- Coherent structure: The essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Relevant ideas: The writer presents relevant arguments for both urban and rural food security.
- Examples: The essay includes some examples to support the arguments, though they could be more detailed.
- Vocabulary: The essay uses some topic-specific vocabulary, but the range is more limited compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
- Grammar: The essay generally uses correct grammar, with some variety in sentence structures.
- Cohesion: The writer uses some linking words and phrases to connect ideas, though not as sophisticatedly as in the higher band essay.
- Task response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task, providing a balanced view of urban and rural food security issues.
Key Vocabulary for Food Security in Cities
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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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Urban agriculture (noun) /ˈɜːrbən ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/: The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas.
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Food supply chain (noun) /fuːd səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/: The network of entities involved in the production and distribution of food from farm to consumer.
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Food desert (noun) /fuːd ˈdezərt/: An urban area where it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food.
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Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources or causing ecological damage.
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Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
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Distribution network (noun) /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃn ˈnetwɜːrk/: The interconnected system through which goods are delivered from producer to consumer.
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Food insecurity (noun) /fuːd ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊərəti/: The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
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Vulnerability (noun) /ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪləti/: The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.
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Holistic approach (noun) /həˈlɪstɪk əˈprəʊtʃ/: An approach that deals with or treats the whole of something or someone and not just a part.
Conclusion
The topic of food security challenges in cities is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, consider practicing with similar questions such as:
- How can urban planning contribute to improving food security in cities?
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of urban agriculture in addressing food supply issues.
- Some people believe that technology can solve most urban food security problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to clearly state your position, provide well-developed arguments, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures accurately. Practice writing essays on this topic and share them in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare more effectively for the IELTS exam.