Climate change and its impact on agricultural productivity is a topic of increasing importance in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme has appeared frequently in recent years and is likely to remain relevant in future exams due to its global significance. Let’s explore this topic through sample essays and in-depth analysis.
Climate change impact on agriculture
Analyzing the Task 2 Question
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic:
Climate change is having a significant impact on global agricultural productivity. Some people believe that governments should invest in research to develop ways to protect crops from extreme weather conditions. Others argue that money would be better spent on developing crops that can withstand these conditions. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question asks you to:
- Discuss the view that governments should invest in research to protect existing crops
- Discuss the alternative view of developing new, resilient crops
- Provide your own opinion on the matter
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change poses a severe threat to global food security, with extreme weather events increasingly jeopardizing crop yields worldwide. While some advocate for government investment in protective measures for existing crops, others argue for the development of climate-resilient varieties. In my opinion, a balanced approach incorporating both strategies is crucial for addressing this complex issue.
Proponents of crop protection research argue that safeguarding existing agricultural systems is vital for maintaining food production in the short term. By developing technologies such as improved irrigation systems, drought-resistant soil treatments, and advanced weather prediction models, farmers could better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. This approach could help preserve traditional farming practices and protect the livelihoods of millions of farmers globally.
On the other hand, those favoring the development of resilient crops contend that this strategy offers a more sustainable long-term solution. By creating varieties that can withstand higher temperatures, prolonged droughts, or increased salinity, agricultural productivity could be maintained or even improved in the face of changing climatic conditions. This approach could potentially reduce the need for resource-intensive protective measures and allow agriculture to adapt more naturally to environmental changes.
In my view, a comprehensive strategy incorporating both approaches is essential. While developing resilient crops is crucial for long-term food security, protecting existing crops is necessary to ensure a stable food supply in the interim. Moreover, a combined approach could yield synergistic benefits, with protective measures buying time for the development and implementation of more resilient crop varieties.
In conclusion, the challenges posed by climate change to agricultural productivity require a multifaceted response. By investing in both protective measures and the development of resilient crops, governments can create a robust and adaptable agricultural system capable of meeting the food demands of a growing global population in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
(Word count: 299)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that justify a high band score:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas are logically sequenced and cohesive devices are used effectively (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”).
Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately (e.g., “jeopardizing”, “mitigate”, “synergistic”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy (e.g., “While developing resilient crops is crucial…”, “By creating varieties that can withstand…”).
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Climate change is affecting agriculture around the world. Some people think governments should spend money on research to protect crops from bad weather. Others believe it’s better to develop new types of crops that can survive in difficult conditions. I will discuss both ideas and give my opinion.
Those who support protecting existing crops say this is important because we need to keep producing food now. If we can find ways to protect crops from things like floods or droughts, farmers can continue growing food even when the weather is bad. This could help prevent food shortages in many countries.
On the other hand, people who want to develop new crops think this is a better long-term solution. If we can create crops that don’t need as much water or can grow in hotter temperatures, we won’t have to worry as much about protecting them. These new crops could be more resistant to climate change.
In my opinion, I think both ideas are important. We need to protect our current crops so we have enough food now, but we also need to think about the future. Developing new types of crops that can handle climate change is necessary for long-term food security.
To conclude, climate change is a big problem for agriculture, and we need to address it in different ways. By investing in both protecting current crops and developing new ones, we can help ensure we have enough food both now and in the future.
(Word count: 253)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good qualities that justify a band score of 6-7:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though the development of ideas is less thorough than in the Band 8-9 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (e.g., frequent use of “This”).
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but less varied and precise compared to the Band 8-9 essay (e.g., “bad weather” instead of “extreme weather conditions”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, though with less variety than the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary
Here are some important vocabulary items from the essays, along with their definitions:
- jeopardizing (verb) /ˈdʒepərdaɪzɪŋ/: putting at risk or in danger
- mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/: make less severe or serious
- resilient (adjective) /rɪˈzɪliənt/: able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
- synergistic (adjective) /ˌsɪnəˈdʒɪstɪk/: working together to produce an effect greater than the sum of their separate effects
- comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/: including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
- multifaceted (adjective) /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/: having many different aspects or features
- adaptable (adjective) /əˈdæptəbl/: able to adjust to new conditions or circumstances
- interim (noun) /ˈɪntərɪm/: the intervening time; provisional or temporary arrangement
Conclusion
The impact of climate change on agricultural productivity is a critical topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare for this theme, consider practicing with variations such as:
- The role of technology in adapting agriculture to climate change
- The economic impacts of climate change on farming communities
- The importance of sustainable farming practices in mitigating climate change effects
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and fully address all parts of the question. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.