Globalization and its effects on employment opportunities is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. This topic has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to continue being relevant in future tests. Its popularity stems from its global significance and the diverse perspectives it can elicit from candidates. Let’s examine a sample question that closely resembles those seen in actual IELTS exams:
Some people think that globalization has a positive effect on job opportunities, while others believe it leads to job losses. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question encapsulates the core debate surrounding globalization’s effect on jobs. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question presents a balanced approach, asking candidates to discuss both positive and negative viewpoints on globalization’s impact on employment. Key points to address include:
- Positive effects of globalization on job opportunities
- Negative effects leading to job losses
- Your personal opinion on the matter
A well-structured essay should cover all these aspects, providing a balanced argument before concluding with a personal stance.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Globalization has significantly transformed the global job market, leading to divergent opinions on its overall impact. While some argue that it creates new employment opportunities, others contend that it results in job losses. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.
Proponents of globalization argue that it opens up new avenues for employment. Multinational corporations expand into new markets, creating jobs in various sectors such as manufacturing, services, and technology. For instance, the establishment of international tech companies in India has led to a boom in IT jobs, providing opportunities for skilled workers. Moreover, globalization facilitates international trade, which can stimulate economic growth and create jobs in export-oriented industries.
On the other hand, critics argue that globalization can lead to significant job losses, particularly in developed countries. As companies outsource production to regions with lower labor costs, many traditional manufacturing jobs disappear from developed economies. This phenomenon has been observed in countries like the United States, where entire industries have been displaced, leaving many workers unemployed or underemployed. Additionally, the increased competition brought about by globalization can lead to the closure of local businesses unable to compete with multinational corporations.
In my opinion, while globalization does lead to job displacement in certain sectors, its overall effect on employment opportunities is positive. The key lies in adaptation and skill development. As the global economy evolves, new industries emerge, creating demand for jobs that didn’t exist before. For example, the rise of e-commerce has created numerous jobs in logistics, digital marketing, and data analysis. Furthermore, globalization facilitates the transfer of knowledge and technology, which can lead to innovation and the creation of new job markets.
In conclusion, globalization’s impact on employment is complex and multifaceted. While it does cause job losses in some areas, it also creates new opportunities in others. The challenge for individuals and societies is to adapt to these changes by focusing on education and skill development to remain competitive in the global job market.
(Word count: 309)
Essay 1 Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the argument, and ideas are logically linked.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Key phrases like “divergent opinions,” “multinational corporations,” and “outsource production” demonstrate advanced vocabulary usage.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, showing depth of analysis.
These features combine to produce a highly effective response, worthy of a Band 8 or 9 score.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Globalization has changed how jobs work around the world. Some people think it’s good for jobs, while others believe it causes job losses. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
On the positive side, globalization can create new job opportunities. When big companies move to new countries, they often hire local people. This can give jobs to many people who didn’t have work before. For example, when international companies opened offices in India, many people got jobs in IT. Also, globalization makes it easier for countries to trade with each other, which can create more jobs in businesses that sell things to other countries.
However, there are also negative effects. When companies move their factories to countries where workers are paid less, people in the original country can lose their jobs. This has happened in many developed countries, where factories have closed and many people became unemployed. Small local businesses may also struggle to compete with big international companies, which can lead to job losses.
In my opinion, globalization has both good and bad effects on jobs, but overall, I think it creates more opportunities than it takes away. While some people lose their jobs because of globalization, new types of jobs are also created. The important thing is for people to learn new skills so they can get these new jobs. Governments should help people to retrain and adapt to the changing job market.
To conclude, globalization changes the job market in both positive and negative ways. It’s important for people and governments to be ready for these changes and to find ways to benefit from the new opportunities that globalization brings.
(Word count: 278)
Essay 2 Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good competence in several areas:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. Paragraphing is logical, but the use of cohesive devices could be more sophisticated.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There are attempts at less common vocabulary (e.g., “adapt,” “retrain”), but the range is not as wide as in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are no major errors that impede communication, but the range is not as wide as in the higher band essay.
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Development of Ideas: Main ideas are relevant and supported, but the level of detail and explanation is not as thorough as in the Band 8-9 essay.
These features combine to produce a competent response, likely to achieve a Band 6 or 7 score.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Globalization (noun) – /ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ – The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
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Employment opportunities (noun phrase) – /ɪmˈplɔɪmənt ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz/ – Chances or possibilities for people to get jobs.
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Multinational corporations (noun phrase) – /mʌltɪˈnæʃənl kɔːpəˈreɪʃnz/ – Large companies that operate in many different countries.
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Outsource (verb) – /aʊtˈsɔːs/ – To obtain goods or services from an outside supplier, especially in place of an internal source.
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Economic growth (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ɡrəʊθ/ – An increase in the amount of goods and services produced per head of the population over a period of time.
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Job displacement (noun phrase) – /dʒɒb dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ – The elimination of jobs due to technological or economic changes.
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Skill development (noun phrase) – /skɪl dɪˈveləpmənt/ – The process of improving and increasing capabilities of staff through access to education and training opportunities.
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Adapt (verb) – /əˈdæpt/ – To adjust to new conditions or circumstances.
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Competitive (adjective) – /kəmˈpetətɪv/ – As good as or better than others of a comparable nature.
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Innovation (noun) – /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ – The action or process of innovating; a new method, idea, product, etc.
Conclusion
Understanding how globalization is reshaping global job markets is crucial for success in IELTS Writing Task 2. The sample essays provided demonstrate how to approach this topic at different levels of proficiency. To further improve your skills, consider practicing with these related topics:
- The impact of technology on traditional jobs
- The role of education in preparing workers for a globalized economy
- The effects of outsourcing on local job markets
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you develop the skills needed to excel in your IELTS Writing Task 2.