Urban food security is a pressing global issue that has gained significant attention in recent years. As IELTS examiners increasingly focus on contemporary topics, questions related to food security in urban areas have become more prevalent in Writing Task 2. This article will provide you with sample essays at different band levels, along with detailed analysis to help you understand how to tackle this topic effectively in your IELTS exam.

Analyzing the Topic and Its Relevance

The challenge of food security in urban areas is a complex and multifaceted issue that intersects with various aspects of modern life, including urbanization, poverty, climate change, and sustainable development. Given its relevance to global discussions, it’s highly likely that this topic will continue to appear in future IELTS exams.

Based on recent trends and past exam questions, we can expect to see prompts that ask candidates to discuss solutions, evaluate the causes and effects, or argue for or against certain approaches to addressing urban food security. Let’s examine a specific question that aligns closely with this theme:

In many cities, people face difficulties accessing affordable and nutritious food. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures can be taken to solve it?

Analyzing the Question

This question is a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 prompt that combines two aspects:

1. Identifying the causes of the problem
2. Proposing solutions to address the issue

To effectively answer this question, you need to:

• Discuss at least two causes of food insecurity in urban areas
• Suggest at least two measures to solve the problem
• Provide relevant examples to support your points
• Ensure a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion

Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, followed by detailed analysis.

Urban food security challenges

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

In recent years, the issue of food insecurity has become increasingly prevalent in urban areas, with many city dwellers struggling to access affordable and nutritious food. This essay will explore the root causes of this problem and propose potential solutions to address this growing concern.

One of the primary causes of food insecurity in cities is the high cost of living. Urban areas often have inflated housing prices and other expenses, leaving residents with limited disposable income for quality food. Additionally, the proliferation of fast food chains and convenience stores in cities has led to an abundance of cheap, processed foods that are often lacking in nutritional value. This situation is exacerbated by “food deserts” – areas where fresh, healthy food options are scarce or non-existent.

Another significant factor contributing to urban food insecurity is the disconnect between urban populations and food production. As cities expand, agricultural land is often converted for urban development, increasing the distance between food producers and consumers. This not only drives up food costs due to transportation expenses but also limits access to fresh, locally-grown produce.

To address these challenges, several measures can be implemented. Firstly, city planners and policymakers should prioritize the development of urban agriculture initiatives. Rooftop gardens, community allotments, and vertical farming projects can help bring food production closer to urban consumers, reducing costs and improving access to fresh produce. For instance, Singapore’s “30 by 30” goal aims to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030, showcasing the potential of urban farming.

Secondly, governments should implement policies to incentivize the establishment of grocery stores and farmers’ markets in underserved areas. This could include tax breaks for businesses that open in food deserts or subsidies for stores that stock a certain percentage of fresh, healthy options. New York City’s FRESH (Food Retail Expansion to Support Health) program is an excellent example of such an initiative, providing zoning and financial incentives to promote the establishment of neighborhood grocery stores in underserved communities.

In conclusion, while urban food insecurity is a complex issue stemming from various socioeconomic factors, there are viable solutions that can help alleviate the problem. By promoting urban agriculture and implementing policies to improve food distribution and access, cities can work towards ensuring that all residents have access to affordable, nutritious food options.

Word count: 377

Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay

This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that align with Band 8-9 criteria:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both causes and solutions with well-developed ideas and relevant examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point, and ideas are logically connected using appropriate linking words and phrases.

3. Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and effectively, including topic-specific terms like “food deserts,” “urban agriculture,” and “vertical farming.”

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a wide range of complex structures used accurately, with only minor errors that do not impede communication.

5. Examples and Evidence: The writer provides specific, relevant examples (Singapore’s “30 by 30” goal and New York City’s FRESH program) to support the arguments, demonstrating a good understanding of the topic.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

In many big cities around the world, people are finding it hard to get cheap and healthy food. This essay will look at why this is happening and suggest some ways to fix the problem.

One of the main reasons for this issue is that living in cities is expensive. People have to spend a lot of money on rent and bills, so they don’t have much left for good food. Also, there are many fast food restaurants in cities that sell cheap but unhealthy food. This makes it easy for people to choose unhealthy options when they don’t have much money or time.

Another cause is that cities are far from where food is grown. As cities get bigger, farms are pushed further away. This means that fresh food has to travel a long way to reach the city, which makes it more expensive. Also, some parts of cities don’t have any good grocery stores nearby, making it hard for people to buy fresh food.

To solve these problems, there are a few things that can be done. First, cities should encourage more urban farming. This could include community gardens or growing food on rooftops. This would help bring fresh food closer to people in the city and make it cheaper.

Another solution is for the government to help open more grocery stores in areas that don’t have them. They could give tax breaks to companies that open stores in these areas. This would make it easier for people to buy healthy food near their homes.

In conclusion, the problem of getting affordable and healthy food in cities is caused by high living costs and the distance from farms. By promoting urban farming and helping to open more grocery stores, we can make it easier for city people to eat well.

Word count: 309

Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay

This essay demonstrates qualities that align with Band 6-7 criteria:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses both parts of the task, discussing causes and solutions. However, the ideas could be more fully developed and supported with specific examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. There is some use of cohesive devices, but they could be more varied.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with some attempt at using less common words (e.g., “urban farming”). However, there is room for more sophisticated and precise language use.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are some errors, but they do not significantly impede communication.

5. Examples and Evidence: While the essay provides some general examples, it lacks specific, concrete examples that would strengthen the arguments.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Food insecurity (noun) – /fuːd ɪnˈsɛkjʊrɪti/ – The state of being without reliable access to sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

2. Urban agriculture (noun) – /ˈɜːrbən ˈægrɪkʌltʃər/ – The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas.

3. Food desert (noun) – /fuːd ˈdɛzərt/ – An urban area where it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food.

4. Vertical farming (noun) – /ˈvɜːrtɪkəl ˈfɑːrmɪŋ/ – The practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often incorporating controlled-environment agriculture.

5. Nutritional value (noun) – /njuːˈtrɪʃənəl ˈvæljuː/ – The amount of nutrients provided by a food in relation to the energy it provides.

6. Socioeconomic (adjective) – /ˌsoʊsioʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ – Relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors.

7. Sustainable development (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbl dɪˈveləpmənt/ – Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

8. Community allotment (noun) – /kəˈmjuːnəti əˈlɒtmənt/ – A plot of land made available for individual, non-commercial gardening or growing food plants.

9. Incentivize (verb) – /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – To motivate or encourage someone to do something by offering them a reward.

10. Underserved (adjective) – /ˌʌndərˈsɜːrvd/ – Not provided with adequate services or facilities.

Conclusion

Urban food security is a complex issue that requires multifaceted solutions. As you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2, remember to consider various aspects of the problem, including economic, social, and environmental factors. Practice writing essays on this topic, exploring different angles such as:

• The role of technology in improving urban food security
• The impact of climate change on urban food systems
• Comparing urban food security issues in developed and developing countries

By practicing with these topics, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any question related to urban food security in your IELTS exam. Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples.

We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the question provided in this article and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and receive feedback from other learners and instructors.