Climate change and its effects on agriculture in developing countries is a topic of growing importance in IELTS Writing Task 2. This subject has appeared in various forms in recent exams and is likely to continue being a relevant theme. Let’s explore a sample question and examine essays at different band levels to help you prepare for this challenging topic.
Analyzing the Question
Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Climate change is having a significant impact on agriculture in developing countries. What are the main effects, and what measures can be taken to address this issue?
This question requires you to discuss two main points:
- The primary effects of climate change on agriculture in developing nations
- Potential solutions or measures to tackle these issues
It’s crucial to address both parts of the question in your essay to achieve a high band score.
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Response
Here’s a high-quality essay that would likely score in the Band 8-9 range:
Climate change has emerged as a formidable challenge for developing nations, particularly in the realm of agriculture. This essay will explore the primary consequences of this global phenomenon on farming in less economically advanced countries and propose potential remedies to mitigate its impact.
The effects of climate change on agriculture in developing countries are both profound and multifaceted. Firstly, erratic weather patterns, characterized by unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts, have disrupted traditional growing seasons. This irregularity makes it increasingly difficult for farmers to plan their crop cycles effectively, often resulting in reduced yields or complete crop failures. Secondly, rising temperatures have led to the proliferation of pests and diseases that were previously uncommon in certain regions. These new threats pose significant challenges to crops that lack natural resistance, further compromising food security. Additionally, extreme weather events such as floods and hurricanes, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, can devastate entire harvests and damage critical agricultural infrastructure.
To address these challenges, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. One crucial measure is the development and implementation of climate-resilient farming techniques. This includes the introduction of drought-resistant crop varieties and the adoption of water-efficient irrigation systems. Governments and international organizations should invest in research and development of these adaptive technologies and ensure they are accessible to small-scale farmers. Furthermore, diversifying crop types can help mitigate the risk of total crop failure and improve overall food security. Another vital step is to enhance weather forecasting and early warning systems, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about planting and harvesting times. Finally, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and conservation tillage, can help maintain soil health and reduce the agricultural sector’s contribution to climate change, creating a positive feedback loop.
In conclusion, while climate change poses significant threats to agriculture in developing nations, there are viable solutions that can help mitigate its impact. By implementing adaptive farming techniques, improving climate information systems, and promoting sustainable practices, these countries can enhance their resilience to climate change and safeguard their agricultural sectors for future generations.
(Word count: 329)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses both parts of the question, discussing the main effects of climate change on agriculture and proposing measures to address these issues.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “Firstly,” “Secondly,” “Additionally,” “Furthermore”).
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “erratic weather patterns,” “proliferation,” “multi-pronged approach,” “climate-resilient farming techniques”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately (e.g., complex sentences, passive voice, conditional statements).
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Response
Here’s an essay that would likely score in the Band 6-7 range:
Climate change is becoming a big problem for farming in poor countries. This essay will talk about the main effects and some ways to solve this issue.
Climate change is causing many problems for farmers in developing countries. One big effect is that the weather is changing a lot. Sometimes there is too much rain, and other times there is not enough. This makes it hard for farmers to know when to plant their crops. Another problem is that it’s getting hotter in many places. This means that some crops can’t grow well anymore. Also, new bugs and diseases are coming to these areas because of the warmer weather, which can destroy crops.
There are some things we can do to help with these problems. One important thing is to teach farmers new ways to grow crops that can handle the changing weather better. For example, they can learn to use different types of seeds that don’t need as much water. Another idea is to help farmers get better information about the weather. This way, they can make better decisions about when to plant and harvest their crops. Also, it’s important to teach farmers about ways to farm that don’t hurt the environment as much. This can help slow down climate change in the long run.
In conclusion, climate change is causing big problems for farming in developing countries, but there are ways to help. By teaching farmers new techniques and giving them better information, we can help them deal with these challenges.
(Word count: 249)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates competence but has some limitations:
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Task Response: The essay addresses both parts of the question, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (e.g., frequent use of “Also” and “Another”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate but less varied and precise compared to the higher band essay (e.g., “big problem,” “poor countries,” “new bugs”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences but with less variety than the Band 8-9 essay. There are no significant errors, but the structures are less sophisticated.
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Development of Ideas: The main points are present, but they are less elaborated and lack the depth of the higher band essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Erratic (adjective) /ɪˈrætɪk/ – unpredictable; inconsistent
- Multifaceted (adjective) /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- Proliferation (noun) /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/ – rapid increase in numbers
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
- Resilient (adjective) /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
- Agroforestry (noun) /ˌæɡrəʊˈfɒrɪstri/ – a land use management system that combines trees or shrubs with crops or livestock
- Conservation tillage (noun phrase) /ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃn ˈtɪlɪdʒ/ – any method of soil cultivation that leaves the previous year’s crop residue on fields to reduce soil erosion and runoff
- Diversifying (verb) /daɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪɪŋ/ – making more varied
- Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
- Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
Conclusion
Climate change’s impact on agriculture in developing nations is a complex and relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the key elements of a high-scoring essay and practicing with sample questions, you can improve your ability to tackle this subject effectively. Remember to address all parts of the question, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and develop your ideas fully with relevant examples.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of technology in combating climate change’s effects on agriculture
- The economic implications of climate change on developing nations’ agricultural sectors
- The responsibility of developed nations in helping developing countries adapt their agriculture to climate change
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.