Urban farming and food security in cities have become increasingly important topics in recent years, reflecting growing concerns about sustainable urban development and food resilience. This theme has appeared in several IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, and its relevance is likely to increase in the future. Let’s examine a sample question that closely mirrors actual IELTS exam topics:

Some people believe that urban farming can significantly contribute to food security in cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Analyzing the Question

This question requires candidates to express their opinion on the potential impact of urban farming on food security in urban areas. Key points to consider:

1. Understand the concept of urban farming
2. Define food security in the context of cities
3. Evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of urban farming
4. Formulate a clear stance (agree/disagree) and support it with relevant arguments

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8)

Urban agriculture has gained significant attention as a potential solution to enhance food security in metropolitan areas. While I largely agree that urban farming can contribute substantially to food availability and accessibility in cities, I believe its impact may be limited by certain factors.

Undoubtedly, urban farming offers several advantages that can bolster food security. Firstly, it provides fresh, locally-grown produce, reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions associated with long-distance food distribution. This not only ensures a steady supply of nutritious food but also promotes environmental sustainability. Secondly, urban farming can utilize unused spaces such as rooftops, vacant lots, and even vertical structures, maximizing land use efficiency in densely populated areas. This approach can significantly increase food production within city limits, directly addressing issues of food scarcity.

Moreover, urban farming fosters community engagement and education about food systems, encouraging residents to take an active role in their food production. This can lead to improved dietary habits and a greater appreciation for sustainable agriculture practices. The direct involvement of city dwellers in food production can also create a more resilient and self-sufficient urban food ecosystem.

However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of urban farming in fully addressing food security challenges. The scale of production in urban settings may not be sufficient to meet the entire food demand of large populations. Additionally, soil quality in cities can be poor or contaminated, requiring significant investments in soil remediation or alternative growing methods like hydroponics. Furthermore, urban farming initiatives may face regulatory hurdles and competition for space with other urban development priorities.

In conclusion, while urban farming has the potential to make a significant contribution to food security in cities, it should be viewed as part of a comprehensive strategy rather than a standalone solution. Integrating urban agriculture with traditional farming methods, efficient food distribution systems, and supportive policies can create a more holistic approach to ensuring food security in urban areas.

(Word count: 309)

Urban farming rooftop garden in a city

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6)

In recent years, urban farming has become popular in many cities. Some people think it can help with food security in urban areas. I agree that urban farming can contribute to food security, but I think it has some limitations too.

Urban farming has several benefits for food security. First, it can provide fresh vegetables and fruits to city people. When food is grown locally, it doesn’t need to travel far, so it’s fresher and healthier. This can help improve the diet of city residents. Second, urban farming can use empty spaces in cities, like rooftops or unused land. This means more food can be produced in cities where space is limited.

Another good thing about urban farming is that it can teach people about where their food comes from. When people grow their own food, they understand more about agriculture and healthy eating. This knowledge can help them make better food choices and maybe even inspire more people to start growing food.

However, urban farming also has some problems. One big issue is that cities often don’t have enough space for large-scale farming. The amount of food produced by urban farms might not be enough to feed all the people in a big city. Also, the soil in cities can be polluted, which makes it hard to grow safe food. Urban farmers might need to use special techniques or clean the soil, which can be expensive.

In conclusion, I believe urban farming can help with food security in cities, but it’s not a complete solution. It has good points, like providing fresh food and educating people, but also limitations like space and soil quality. Urban farming should be one part of a bigger plan to improve food security in cities.

(Word count: 283)

Explanation of Band Scores

Band 8 Essay:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
3. Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used with flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are used with awareness of style and collocation.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and control. Errors are rare and difficult to spot.

Band 6 Essay:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others. The format is appropriate, and the conclusion reflects the position.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally arranged coherently, and there is a clear overall progression. Cohesive devices are used but may be overused or underused.
3. Lexical Resource: An adequate range of vocabulary is used for the task. There may be some errors in word choice, but these do not impede communication.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely reduce communication.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Urban farming (noun): The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas.
2. Food security (noun): The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
3. Sustainability (noun): The ability to maintain at a certain rate or level; avoidance of depletion of natural resources.
4. Resilience (noun): The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
5. Hydroponics (noun): The process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.
6. Soil remediation (noun): The process of removing contaminants from soil to protect both human health and the environment.
7. Ecosystem (noun): A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
8. Self-sufficient (adjective): Able to provide for oneself without external assistance.
9. Holistic (adjective): Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
10. Regulatory (adjective): Serving or intended to regulate something.

How urban gardens can contribute to food security is a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years. As cities continue to grow and face challenges related to food supply, urban farming presents an innovative solution to enhance food security. However, it’s important to consider that urban farming is just one part of a larger strategy to address food-related issues in cities.

When discussing urban farming and food security, it’s also crucial to consider the impact of industrial farming on the environment. Urban farming can potentially mitigate some of the negative effects of large-scale industrial agriculture by reducing transportation needs and promoting more sustainable practices.

Vertical farming in an indoor urban agriculture facility

In conclusion, the topic of urban farming and its potential to enhance food security in cities is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. Candidates should be prepared to discuss various aspects of this issue, including benefits, limitations, and potential solutions. To practice, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section. This exercise will help you refine your writing skills and gain valuable feedback.

For further practice, consider exploring related topics such as how to address food insecurity through sustainable agriculture or how to reduce food waste through public policy. These themes are interconnected with urban farming and food security, and understanding them will provide a more comprehensive view of the subject for your IELTS preparation.