As an IELTS Writing Task 2 expert, I’ve noticed that topics related to sustainable agriculture and government policies have been increasingly popular in recent years. Based on my analysis of past IELTS exams and current global trends, I predict that questions about how governments can promote sustainable agricultural practices are likely to appear more frequently in future tests. Let’s explore this topic through sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Task 2 Question
For this article, we’ll focus on the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people believe that governments should take measures to make agriculture more environmentally friendly. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This question asks for your opinion on whether governments should intervene to promote sustainable agricultural practices. It’s an agree/disagree essay, which means you need to clearly state your position and support it with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Level
In today’s world, where environmental concerns are paramount, I strongly agree that governments should take decisive action to promote eco-friendly agricultural practices. This intervention is crucial for ensuring food security, preserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change.
Firstly, government policies can significantly influence farming methods. By offering incentives for sustainable practices such as organic farming, crop rotation, and water conservation, authorities can encourage farmers to adopt environmentally friendly techniques. For instance, the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy provides financial support to farmers who implement sustainable practices, resulting in reduced pesticide use and improved soil health across member states.
Moreover, governmental research and development initiatives are vital for advancing sustainable agriculture. By investing in innovative technologies like precision farming and drought-resistant crops, governments can help farmers increase yields while minimizing environmental impact. A prime example is Israel’s government-sponsored agricultural research, which has led to the development of drip irrigation systems now used worldwide, dramatically reducing water consumption in agriculture.
Additionally, governments play a crucial role in education and awareness. By implementing programs to educate farmers about sustainable practices and consumers about the importance of supporting eco-friendly agriculture, authorities can create a shift in both production and consumption patterns. The success of organic farming in Denmark, for example, can be largely attributed to government-led public awareness campaigns and farmer education initiatives.
However, it’s important to note that government intervention should be balanced and considerate of farmers’ needs. Policies should be designed to support rather than burden farmers, ensuring that the transition to sustainable practices is economically viable for agricultural communities.
In conclusion, given the urgent need to address environmental challenges while ensuring food security, I firmly believe that government intervention in promoting sustainable agriculture is not only beneficial but necessary. Through a combination of policy incentives, research support, and education programs, governments can play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector for the future.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
- Clear position: The writer clearly agrees with government intervention from the outset.
- Coherent structure: The essay follows a logical progression with clear main ideas in each paragraph.
- Relevant examples: Specific examples (EU policy, Israeli technology, Danish organic farming) support each point.
- Sophisticated vocabulary: Use of phrases like “decisive action”, “mitigating climate change”, and “economically viable” showcase advanced language skills.
- Complex sentences: The essay employs a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with multiple clauses.
- Balanced view: The potential drawbacks of government intervention are briefly acknowledged, showing nuanced thinking.
- Strong conclusion: The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and restates the writer’s position.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Level
I agree that governments should take steps to make agriculture more environmentally friendly. This is important because farming can harm the environment, but it’s also necessary for food production.
One way governments can help is by giving farmers money to use better methods. For example, they could pay farmers who don’t use harmful chemicals or who save water. This would encourage more farmers to try these good practices.
Another thing governments can do is make laws about farming. They could ban very harmful pesticides or limit how much water farms can use. This would force all farmers to be more careful about the environment.
Governments can also teach farmers about new ways to farm that are better for nature. They could have training programs or send experts to help farmers learn. This would help farmers understand why it’s important to protect the environment and how to do it.
However, these changes might make food more expensive, which could be a problem for poor people. Governments need to think about this when they make plans.
In conclusion, I believe governments should help make farming better for the environment. They can do this by giving money, making laws, and teaching farmers. This is important for protecting nature and making sure we have food in the future.
(Word count: 218)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
- Clear position: The writer’s agreement with the statement is clearly stated.
- Basic structure: The essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Relevant ideas: The main points (financial incentives, regulations, education) are relevant to the topic.
- Simple examples: The essay provides basic examples to support its points.
- Adequate vocabulary: The language used is clear and appropriate, though not particularly sophisticated.
- Simple sentences: Most sentences are simple or compound, with few complex structures.
- Limited development: Ideas are present but not fully elaborated or supported with specific details.
- Basic conclusion: The conclusion restates the main points but doesn’t add much depth.
Key Vocabulary for Sustainable Agriculture Essays
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Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
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Biodiversity (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/: The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
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Eco-friendly (adjective) /ˌiːkəʊˈfrendli/: Not harmful to the environment.
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Organic farming (noun phrase) /ɔːˈɡænɪk ˈfɑːmɪŋ/: Farming without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals.
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Crop rotation (noun phrase) /krɒp rəʊˈteɪʃn/: The practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons.
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Pesticide (noun) /ˈpestɪsaɪd/: A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to plants or animals.
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Irrigation (noun) /ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃn/: The supply of water to land or crops to help growth, typically by artificial means.
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Soil erosion (noun phrase) /sɔɪl ɪˈrəʊʒn/: The wearing away of topsoil by natural forces like wind or water.
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Agroforestry (noun) /ˌæɡrəʊˈfɒrɪstri/: A land use management system where trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland.
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Precision farming (noun phrase) /prɪˈsɪʒn ˈfɑːmɪŋ/: A farming management concept using digital techniques to monitor and optimize agricultural production processes.
Conclusion
Understanding how to approach topics like government promotion of sustainable agriculture is crucial for success in IELTS Writing Task 2. The sample essays provided demonstrate how to structure your response and use relevant vocabulary and examples to support your arguments at different band score levels.
To further improve your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The role of technology in promoting sustainable farming
- Balancing food production and environmental conservation
- The impact of climate change on agricultural practices
Remember to practice regularly and focus on developing clear arguments, using relevant examples, and employing a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners.