The global refugee crisis is a pressing issue that has gained significant attention in recent years. As an IELTS Writing Task 2 topic, it has appeared in various forms and is likely to continue being a relevant subject for future exams. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the topic, along with sample essays for different band scores to help you prepare effectively for your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Global refugee crisis
Analyzing the Topic
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question related to this subject:
Some people believe that international organizations should be responsible for addressing the global refugee crisis, while others think individual countries should handle it on their own. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the view that international organizations should handle the refugee crisis
- Discuss the view that individual countries should handle the refugee crisis
- Provide your own opinion on the matter
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The global refugee crisis has become one of the most pressing issues of our time, sparking debates about who should bear the responsibility for addressing it. While some argue that international organizations are best equipped to handle this complex problem, others believe individual countries should manage it independently. In my opinion, a collaborative approach involving both international bodies and national governments is the most effective solution.
Those who advocate for international organizations to take the lead in addressing the refugee crisis have several compelling arguments. Firstly, organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have extensive experience and expertise in managing large-scale humanitarian crises. They can coordinate efforts across borders, ensuring a more unified and efficient response. Additionally, international bodies can provide a neutral platform for negotiation and resource allocation, potentially reducing political tensions between nations.
On the other hand, proponents of individual country management argue that each nation has unique circumstances and should have the autonomy to address refugee issues according to their own capabilities and national interests. This approach allows countries to tailor their responses to their specific economic, social, and cultural contexts. Moreover, some argue that this method promotes a sense of national responsibility and encourages countries to develop long-term strategies for refugee integration.
In my view, the most effective approach is a combination of international coordination and national implementation. International organizations can provide crucial support, resources, and expertise, while individual countries can adapt these guidelines to their specific situations. This collaborative model allows for a global strategy while respecting national sovereignty and local contexts.
For instance, the UNHCR could establish overarching policies and standards for refugee protection and resettlement, while individual countries could implement these guidelines through their own governmental agencies and local NGOs. This approach would ensure a consistent global standard of care for refugees while allowing for necessary adaptations to local conditions.
In conclusion, while both international organizations and individual countries have important roles to play in addressing the refugee crisis, a collaborative approach that leverages the strengths of both is likely to be the most effective. By combining global expertise with local implementation, we can work towards a more comprehensive and sustainable solution to this complex humanitarian challenge.
(Word count: 345)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent coherence, cohesion, and a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, characteristic of a Band 8-9 score. Let’s break down its strengths:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “Firstly,” “On the other hand,” “Moreover”).
Lexical Resource: The essay showcases a wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately (e.g., “compelling arguments,” “unique circumstances,” “autonomy,” “tailor their responses”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly (e.g., complex sentences, passive voice, conditional structures).
Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with explanations and examples, showing depth of critical thinking.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The refugee crisis is a big problem in the world today. Some people think international organizations should deal with it, while others believe individual countries should handle it themselves. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
There are good reasons why international organizations should be responsible for the refugee crisis. These organizations have experience in dealing with big problems that affect many countries. They can help coordinate efforts between different nations and make sure resources are shared fairly. Also, they can provide a neutral point of view, which might help reduce conflicts between countries.
On the other hand, some people think individual countries should manage the refugee crisis on their own. Each country has its own situation and might want to deal with refugees in its own way. Some countries might have more money or space to help refugees than others. Also, if countries handle it themselves, they might feel more responsible and come up with good long-term plans.
In my opinion, the best way to handle the refugee crisis is for international organizations and individual countries to work together. International organizations can provide general guidelines and support, while countries can adapt these ideas to fit their own situations. This way, we can have a global plan that also respects each country’s unique needs.
For example, the UN could set up basic rules for how to treat refugees, but each country could decide how to apply these rules in their own area. This would help make sure refugees are treated well everywhere, but also allow for differences between countries.
In conclusion, I believe that both international organizations and individual countries have important roles in dealing with the refugee crisis. By working together, they can create better solutions for this difficult problem.
(Word count: 295)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good coherence and a reasonable range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, typical of a Band 6-7 score. Here’s an analysis of its strengths and areas for improvement:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses some cohesive devices, but could use a wider range for a higher score.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a sufficient range of vocabulary, but could benefit from more sophisticated word choices and idiomatic expressions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good accuracy. However, for a higher score, it could demonstrate more complex grammatical structures.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant and supported, but could be developed more fully with more specific examples or deeper analysis.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Refugee crisis (noun) – /ˌrefjʊˈdʒiː ˈkraɪsɪs/ – A situation in which a large number of people are forced to leave their homes due to war, persecution, or natural disasters.
International organizations (noun phrase) – /ˌɪntəˈnæʃənl ˌɔːɡənaɪˈzeɪʃənz/ – Bodies that operate on a global scale, such as the United Nations or Red Cross.
Humanitarian (adjective) – /hjuːˌmænɪˈteəriən/ – Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare.
Resettlement (noun) – /ˌriːˈsetlmənt/ – The process of moving people to a new place to live, typically after they have been forced to leave their homes.
Autonomy (noun) – /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ – The right or condition of self-government.
Collaborative (adjective) – /kəˈlæbərətɪv/ – Involving two or more parties working together.
Integration (noun) – /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ – The process of combining or joining with something else.
Sovereignty (noun) – /ˈsɒvrənti/ – Supreme power or authority.
Coordination (noun) – /kəʊˌɔːdɪˈneɪʃn/ – The organization of different elements of a complex body or activity to enable them to work together effectively.
Implementation (noun) – /ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃn/ – The process of putting a decision or plan into effect.
Conclusion
The global refugee crisis is a complex issue that is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. When approaching this topic, consider discussing the roles of both international organizations and individual countries, and how they might work together to address the crisis effectively.
To practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The economic impact of refugees on host countries
- The challenges of integrating refugees into new societies
- The role of education in helping refugees adapt to their new homes
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your points with relevant examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!