The topic of automation’s impact on global jobs has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on recent trends and the growing relevance of this subject in today’s rapidly evolving job market, it’s highly likely that test-takers will encounter questions related to this theme in future exams. To help you prepare effectively, we’ll analyze a relevant question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people think that the increasing use of automation (such as robots and artificial intelligence) will lead to significant job losses. Others believe it will create new job opportunities. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question is a classic example of a discussion essay that requires you to examine both sides of an argument and present your own perspective. The topic is highly relevant to current global trends in technology and employment, making it an excellent choice for IELTS examiners to assess candidates’ ability to discuss complex socio-economic issues.
Sample Essay for Band 8
Here’s a sample essay that would likely score in the Band 8 range:
The rapid advancement of automation technologies, including robotics and artificial intelligence, has sparked a heated debate about its impact on the global job market. While some argue that these innovations will lead to widespread unemployment, others believe they will generate new employment opportunities. In my opinion, while automation will undoubtedly disrupt certain industries, its overall effect will be the creation of new and more sophisticated job roles.
Those who fear job losses due to automation have valid concerns. Many routine and repetitive tasks across various sectors are already being performed by machines, potentially rendering human workers redundant. For instance, assembly line workers in manufacturing plants are increasingly being replaced by robots that can work tirelessly and with greater precision. Similarly, self-checkout systems in retail stores are reducing the need for cashiers. These examples illustrate how automation can indeed eliminate certain job categories, particularly those involving manual or repetitive work.
However, proponents of automation argue that it will create more jobs than it eliminates. As new technologies emerge, they often give rise to entirely new industries and job roles that were previously unimaginable. The rise of the internet, for example, has created millions of jobs in web development, digital marketing, and e-commerce that didn’t exist a few decades ago. Similarly, the growth of artificial intelligence is likely to create demand for AI specialists, data analysts, and machine learning engineers. Moreover, automation often leads to increased productivity and economic growth, which can indirectly stimulate job creation across various sectors.
Factory Automation with Robots
In my view, while the transition may be challenging for some workers, the long-term impact of automation on employment will be largely positive. History has shown that technological advancements have consistently led to economic progress and the creation of new job opportunities. The key lies in adapting to these changes through education and reskilling programs. Governments and businesses should focus on preparing the workforce for the jobs of the future, emphasizing skills that are uniquely human, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving.
In conclusion, while automation will undoubtedly cause disruptions in the job market, I believe its overall effect will be the creation of new and more advanced employment opportunities. The challenge lies not in resisting technological progress, but in ensuring that society is prepared to harness its benefits while mitigating its potential negative impacts.
(Word count: 379)
Analysis of Band 8 Essay
This essay would likely receive a Band 8 score for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting the writer’s own opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic, and ideas are logically connected.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “render redundant,” “repetitive tasks,” “unimaginable,” “harness its benefits”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately.
Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay for Band 7
Here’s a sample essay that would likely score in the Band 7 range:
The increasing use of automation, such as robots and artificial intelligence, has sparked a debate about its impact on employment. While some people believe it will lead to significant job losses, others argue that it will create new job opportunities. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and provide my opinion on this matter.
Those who fear job losses due to automation have some valid points. Many jobs that involve repetitive tasks are at risk of being taken over by machines. For example, in factories, robots are already replacing human workers on assembly lines because they can work faster and more accurately. Similarly, self-driving cars might soon replace taxi and truck drivers. These examples show how automation could lead to unemployment in certain sectors.
On the other hand, supporters of automation argue that it will create new jobs. As technology advances, new industries and job roles often emerge. For instance, the rise of computers created many IT jobs that didn’t exist before. Automation might lead to new jobs in robot maintenance, software development, and data analysis. Additionally, automation can make businesses more productive, potentially leading to growth and more job opportunities in other areas.
In my opinion, while automation will certainly change the job market, it is more likely to transform jobs rather than eliminate them entirely. I believe that the key to adapting to these changes is education and retraining. People will need to learn new skills to work alongside machines or to do jobs that machines cannot do. Governments and companies should invest in programs to help workers adapt to these changes.
In conclusion, automation will have both positive and negative effects on employment. While some jobs may disappear, new ones will likely be created. The challenge is to prepare people for these changes through education and training.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 7 Essay
This essay would likely receive a Band 7 score for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and presenting the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, with clear progression throughout.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate and sufficiently varied, though not as sophisticated as in the Band 8 essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant and supported, though not as fully developed as in the Band 8 essay.
Sample Essay for Band 6
Here’s a sample essay that would likely score in the Band 6 range:
Nowadays, more and more machines and computers are being used in many jobs. Some people think this will cause many people to lose their jobs, but others believe it will create new jobs. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
Firstly, it’s true that machines can do many jobs that humans used to do. In factories, robots are now doing work that people used to do. This means some workers might lose their jobs. Also, in supermarkets, we can see self-checkout machines, so fewer cashiers are needed. This shows how machines can take away some jobs from people.
However, other people say that new technology can create new jobs. When computers became common, many new jobs were created to make and fix them. The same thing might happen with robots and AI. We might need people to program robots or to think of new ways to use them. Also, if businesses save money by using machines, they might be able to hire more people for other jobs.
In my opinion, I think both sides are partly right. Some jobs will disappear because of machines, but new jobs will also be created. The important thing is that people need to learn new skills. If people can learn to work with new technology, they will have a better chance of finding good jobs in the future.
In conclusion, while automation might cause some job losses, it will also create new opportunities. The key is for people to be ready to learn and adapt to these changes.
(Word count: 262)
Analysis of Band 6 Essay
This essay would likely receive a Band 6 score for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay addresses the task, discussing both views and presenting an opinion, but the ideas are less fully developed than in higher band essays.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the linking of ideas is not always smooth.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but lacks precision and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, but with some errors that do not impede communication.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant but not always fully extended or supported.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Automation (noun) /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn/: The use of machines or computers to do work that was previously done by people.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) (noun) /ˌɑːtɪfɪʃl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/: The development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.
Redundant (adjective) /rɪˈdʌndənt/: No longer needed or useful; superfluous.
Disrupt (verb) /dɪsˈrʌpt/: To interrupt an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance or problem.
Adapt (verb) /əˈdæpt/: To change or adjust to new conditions.
Reskilling (noun) /riːˈskɪlɪŋ/: The process of learning new skills or of teaching workers new skills.
Productivity (noun) /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/: The effectiveness of productive effort, especially in industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input.
Innovation (noun) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/: The action or process of innovating; a new method, idea, product, etc.
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.
Workforce (noun) /ˈwɜːkfɔːs/: The people engaged in or available for work, either in a country or area or in a particular firm or industry.
In conclusion, mastering the ability to write about the impact of automation on global jobs is crucial for success in IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the different approaches and vocabulary required for various band scores, you can improve your writing skills and achieve your desired result. Remember to practice writing essays on this topic and other related themes, such as the transformation of blue-collar jobs due to automation or the role of education in preparing for an automated future. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and further improvement.