In recent years, the topic of automation and its effects on employment has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. This trend reflects the growing importance of understanding the relationship between technological advancements and the job market. As an IELTS instructor, I’ve observed a rise in questions related to “how automation is affecting job creation” and similar themes. Let’s explore this topic in depth, providing sample essays for different band scores to help you prepare effectively for your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Analyzing the Topic and Selecting a Relevant Question
Before we dive into the sample essays, it’s crucial to understand the complexity of this topic. Automation’s impact on job creation is multifaceted, involving aspects of technology, economics, and social change. IELTS examiners often frame questions around this topic to test candidates’ ability to discuss these interconnected issues.
Based on recent IELTS exam trends and the frequency of related questions, I’ve selected the following prompt for our sample essays:
Some people believe that the increasing use of automation in various industries will lead to widespread unemployment. Others argue that it will create new job opportunities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question encapsulates the core debate surrounding automation and employment, making it an excellent representation of what you might encounter in your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Analyzing the Question
Let’s break down the key components of this question:
- The topic is the impact of automation on employment.
- Two contrasting views are presented:
- Automation will cause widespread unemployment
- Automation will create new job opportunities
- You are asked to discuss both viewpoints.
- You must also provide your own opinion.
To excel in this task, you need to:
- Explain both perspectives clearly
- Provide examples or evidence to support each view
- Present a balanced discussion
- Clearly state your own opinion with justification
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay
In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern industry, the role of automation has become a topic of intense debate. While some argue that the increasing prevalence of automated systems will lead to widespread job losses, others contend that it will pave the way for new employment opportunities. In my view, while automation will undoubtedly displace certain jobs, its overall impact on employment will be largely positive, fostering innovation and creating new roles that we have yet to imagine.
Those who fear automation’s impact on employment often point to historical precedents of technological advancement leading to job losses. For instance, the automation of assembly lines in the automotive industry resulted in significant reductions in manual labor requirements. Moreover, with the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning, even cognitive tasks once thought to be the exclusive domain of humans are now being automated, potentially threatening a wide range of white-collar jobs. This perspective raises valid concerns about the short-term disruptions that rapid technological change can bring to the labor market.
Conversely, proponents of automation argue that it will create more jobs than it eliminates. They contend that as routine tasks are automated, human workers will be free to focus on more complex, creative, and interpersonal roles that machines cannot easily replicate. For example, the rise of e-commerce has led to job losses in traditional retail, but it has also created numerous new positions in areas such as web development, data analysis, and logistics. Furthermore, the development and maintenance of automated systems themselves require a workforce with specialized skills, leading to the emergence of entirely new career paths.
In my opinion, while the transition may be challenging for some sectors, the long-term effects of automation on job creation are likely to be positive. History has shown that technological advancements, while disruptive in the short term, tend to drive economic growth and create new opportunities in the long run. The key lies in our ability to adapt and prepare for the changing nature of work. This will require a shift in education and training to equip workers with the skills needed in an increasingly automated world, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
In conclusion, automation’s impact on employment is complex and multifaceted. While it will undoubtedly lead to the obsolescence of certain jobs, it also holds the potential to create new and more fulfilling roles. The challenge for society is to manage this transition effectively, ensuring that the benefits of automation are broadly shared and that workers are supported in adapting to the changing job market. (379 words)
automation-factory
Essay Analysis
This essay would likely score in the Band 8-9 range for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly presenting the writer’s own opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and ideas are logically linked.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Examples include “rapidly evolving landscape,” “pave the way,” “cognitive tasks,” and “interpersonal roles.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences are handled with confidence.
Development and Support: Each main idea is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Clarity of Argument: The writer’s position is clear and consistent throughout the essay.
Band 6-7 Essay
The increasing use of automation in various industries has become a hot topic of debate. Some people believe that it will lead to widespread unemployment, while others think it will create new job opportunities. In my opinion, while automation may cause some job losses in the short term, it will ultimately lead to the creation of new types of jobs.
Those who are worried about automation causing unemployment have some valid points. Many jobs that involve repetitive tasks, such as factory work or data entry, are being replaced by machines and computers. This means that people who have been doing these jobs for years might lose their source of income. For example, in car manufacturing, robots now do much of the work that used to be done by human workers. This has led to fewer jobs in this industry.
On the other hand, supporters of automation argue that it will create new job opportunities. As old jobs disappear, new ones will be created to design, build, and maintain the automated systems. Additionally, automation can make businesses more efficient and productive, which can lead to growth and the need for more workers in other areas. For instance, the rise of online shopping has created many new jobs in areas like website design, data analysis, and delivery services.
In my view, while there may be some short-term job losses due to automation, the long-term effects will be positive for employment. The key is for people to be willing to learn new skills and adapt to the changing job market. Governments and businesses should provide training programs to help workers transition to new roles. Also, automation can free up humans to do more creative and complex tasks that machines can’t do, potentially leading to more interesting and fulfilling jobs.
In conclusion, automation will change the job market, but it doesn’t have to lead to widespread unemployment. By embracing new technologies and focusing on developing skills that complement automation, we can create a future with plenty of job opportunities. (309 words)
Essay Analysis
This essay would likely score in the Band 6-7 range for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and presenting the writer’s opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear progression. Each paragraph has a central topic, though the links between ideas could be stronger.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary, with some attempts at more sophisticated words and phrases. However, it lacks the precision and sophistication of higher band scores.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are no major grammatical errors, but it lacks the variety and sophistication of an 8-9 band essay.
Development and Support: Main ideas are supported with relevant examples, but they could be more fully elaborated.
Clarity of Argument: The writer’s position is clear, but the argument could be more nuanced and developed.
Band 5-6 Essay
Nowadays, many companies are using machines to do work instead of people. Some think this will make many people lose their jobs. Others say it will make new jobs. I think both sides have good points, but in the end, automation will probably create more jobs than it takes away.
People who worry about automation taking jobs have some reasons to be concerned. Many jobs that people do now can be done by machines. For example, in factories, robots can make things faster and don’t need breaks like humans do. This means some workers might lose their jobs. Also, even in offices, computers can do some work that people used to do, like simple accounting or data entry.
But there are also good things about automation. When companies use machines, they can make more things or provide better services. This can help the company grow and maybe hire more people for different jobs. Also, someone needs to make the machines and fix them when they break. This creates new types of jobs that didn’t exist before.
I think that even though some jobs will go away because of automation, new jobs will be created. The important thing is for people to learn new skills. Maybe the government can help with this by providing training programs. Also, machines can’t do everything. They can’t be creative or understand human emotions like people can. So there will always be jobs that only humans can do.
In conclusion, automation will change the way we work, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If we prepare for the changes and learn new skills, there can be enough jobs for everyone. We just need to be ready to do different kinds of work than before. (276 words)
Essay Analysis
This essay would likely score in the Band 5-6 range for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay addresses the task, discussing both viewpoints and presenting an opinion. However, the ideas are not fully developed and lack depth.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes unclear, and cohesive devices are limited.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but limited in range. There are few attempts at using less common vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses mainly simple sentences with some attempts at complex structures. There are some grammatical errors, but they do not impede communication.
Development and Support: Main ideas are present but not well-developed. Examples are basic and could be more specific.
Clarity of Argument: The writer’s position is stated, but the argument lacks sophistication and nuance.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Automation (noun) – /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn/ – The use of machines or computers instead of people to do a job
Widespread (adjective) – /ˈwaɪdspred/ – Found or distributed over a large area or among many people
Displace (verb) – /dɪsˈpleɪs/ – To take the place of something or someone
Cognitive (adjective) – /ˈkɒɡnətɪv/ – Related to the mental process of understanding
Obsolescence (noun) – /ˌɒbsəˈlesns/ – The process of becoming outdated and no longer used
Interpersonal (adjective) – /ˌɪntəˈpɜːsənl/ – Relating to relationships or communication between people
Adapt (verb) – /əˈdæpt/ – To change to suit different conditions or needs
Innovation (noun) – /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ – A new idea, method, or device
Disruption (noun) – /dɪsˈrʌpʃn/ – Disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process
Transition (noun) – /trænˈzɪʃn/ – The process or period of changing from one state or condition to another
Conclusion
The topic of automation’s impact on job creation is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 for the foreseeable future. As you’ve seen from the sample essays, this topic allows for discussion of various perspectives and requires a nuanced understanding of technological and economic trends.
To prepare for similar questions, consider practicing with these potential prompts:
- Discuss the role of government in managing the transition to an automated workforce.
- Some argue that automation will increase economic inequality. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- How might education systems need to change to prepare students for a more automated job market?
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about having knowledge of the topic, but also about how you structure your ideas, use appropriate vocabulary, and develop your arguments. Practice writing essays on this and related topics, and don’t hesitate to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
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