The topic of international sanctions and their effects on financial markets has become increasingly relevant in recent years, making it a potential subject for IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exam trends and current global events, this theme is likely to appear in future tests. Let’s examine a sample question and explore how to approach it effectively.
Some people believe that international sanctions are an effective way to influence a country’s behavior, while others argue that sanctions mainly harm innocent citizens. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the effectiveness of sanctions in influencing country behavior
- Explore the argument that sanctions primarily harm innocent citizens
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-scoring response.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
International sanctions have long been a controversial tool in global politics, with proponents arguing for their effectiveness in shaping state behavior and critics highlighting their impact on ordinary citizens. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering a nuanced view on the matter.
Those who support sanctions often point to their potential to influence government decisions without resorting to military action. Sanctions can exert significant economic pressure on a country, forcing its leadership to reconsider policies that the international community deems unacceptable. For instance, sanctions imposed on Iran arguably played a crucial role in bringing the country to the negotiating table regarding its nuclear program. By limiting Iran’s access to global financial markets and oil exports, these measures created substantial economic hardship that ultimately influenced the government’s stance.
On the other hand, critics argue that sanctions disproportionately affect innocent civilians rather than those in power. Economic restrictions often lead to increased poverty, unemployment, and limited access to essential goods and services for the general population. This was evident in Iraq during the 1990s, where comprehensive sanctions resulted in severe humanitarian consequences, including malnutrition and inadequate healthcare. Moreover, sanctions can sometimes strengthen authoritarian regimes by allowing them to blame external forces for domestic hardships, potentially rallying nationalist sentiment and consolidating power.
In my opinion, while sanctions can be effective in certain circumstances, their implementation requires careful consideration and targeted approaches. Smart sanctions, which focus on specific individuals, entities, or sectors rather than broad economic measures, may offer a more balanced solution. These targeted sanctions can minimize harm to innocent civilians while still exerting pressure on decision-makers. Additionally, sanctions should be part of a comprehensive diplomatic strategy that includes incentives for positive behavior change and clear pathways for their removal.
How financial crises affect international relations provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between economic measures and global politics. It is crucial to recognize that the effectiveness of sanctions often depends on factors such as international cooperation, the target country’s economic resilience, and the specific goals of the sanctions regime.
In conclusion, while international sanctions can be a powerful tool for influencing state behavior, their potential to harm innocent citizens cannot be ignored. A nuanced approach that prioritizes targeted measures and combines sanctions with diplomatic engagement is likely to yield the most positive outcomes in addressing global challenges.
(Word count: 416)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
International sanctions are a topic of debate in global politics. Some people think they are good for changing how countries act, but others say they mostly hurt normal people. This essay will look at both sides and give my opinion.
People who support sanctions say they can make countries change without using military force. When a country faces economic problems because of sanctions, its leaders might think again about their actions. For example, sanctions on Iran made it harder for them to sell oil and use international banks. This pressure helped bring Iran to talk about its nuclear program with other countries.
However, there are also problems with sanctions. They often make life harder for regular people in the country. When sanctions are put in place, it can lead to more poverty and unemployment. People might not be able to get the things they need, like food or medicine. This happened in Iraq in the 1990s, where many people suffered because of sanctions. Also, sometimes sanctions can make people in the country support their government more, because they blame other countries for their problems.
The effects of economic sanctions on global markets shows how these measures can have wide-reaching consequences beyond just the targeted country.
In my opinion, sanctions can work sometimes, but we need to be careful about how we use them. I think it’s better to use targeted sanctions that focus on specific people or companies involved in the problem, rather than making things difficult for everyone in the country. This way, we can try to change the behavior of leaders without hurting ordinary people too much.
To conclude, sanctions can be useful for changing how countries behave, but they can also cause problems for innocent people. We should try to use sanctions in a smart way, along with other methods like diplomacy, to solve international problems without causing too much harm.
(Word count: 349)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
International sanctions are a big topic in the world today. Some people think they are good, and some think they are bad. I will talk about both sides and give my idea.
First, some people say sanctions are good because they can make countries change without war. When a country gets sanctions, it can’t do business easily with other countries. This can make the leaders think about changing their actions. For example, Iran had sanctions and then talked about its nuclear program.
But other people say sanctions are bad because they hurt normal people. When there are sanctions, things can get expensive, and people might lose their jobs. Sometimes people can’t get important things like food or medicine. This happened in Iraq and many people had problems.
I think sanctions can be good and bad. They can work sometimes to change countries, but they can also make life hard for normal people. Maybe it’s better to have sanctions that only target the leaders or companies that are causing problems, not everyone in the country.
To finish, sanctions are a difficult topic. They can help change countries but also hurt people. We should be careful when using sanctions and try to find ways to solve problems without hurting innocent people.
(Word count: 202)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the response
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control
- Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Coherent with smooth progression of ideas and effective use of cohesive devices
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, though conclusions may be unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary with some errors in word choice
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors
- Arranges information coherently with clear overall progression
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas
- Expresses a position but development is not always clear
- Uses limited range of vocabulary with noticeable errors that may cause some difficulty for the reader
- Uses only a limited range of structures with some errors that may cause difficulty for the reader
- Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Sanctions (noun) – /ˈsæŋkʃənz/ – Punitive measures imposed by countries on each other
- Influence (verb) – /ˈɪnfluəns/ – To affect or change how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks
- Controversial (adjective) – /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl/ – Causing disagreement or discussion
- Proponents (noun) – /prəˈpəʊnənts/ – People who advocate for a theory, proposal, or course of action
- Disproportionately (adverb) – /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli/ – To a degree that is too large or too small in comparison with something else
- Authoritarian (adjective) – /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈteəriən/ – Enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom
- Consolidate (verb) – /kənˈsɒlɪdeɪt/ – To strengthen or reinforce one’s position or power
- Humanitarian (adjective) – /hjuːˌmænɪˈteəriən/ – Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare
- Resilience (noun) – /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
- Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
Conclusion
The topic of international sanctions and their impact on financial markets is a complex and relevant issue for IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the different perspectives and using appropriate vocabulary and structures, you can craft a well-reasoned response to such questions. Remember to practice writing essays on similar topics, such as the economic effects of trade wars, the role of international organizations in global finance, or the challenges of economic globalization.
To further improve your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your arguments, improve your vocabulary, and gain confidence in tackling similar questions in the actual IELTS exam.