Natural disasters and their effects on communities have become an increasingly relevant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme not only reflects global concerns but also tests candidates’ ability to discuss complex societal issues. Based on recent trends, we can expect questions related to the impact of natural disasters on community resilience to appear more frequently in future IELTS exams.
Let’s explore a sample question that aligns closely with this topic:
Some people believe that communities should focus on preparing for natural disasters, while others think it’s more important to invest in recovery efforts after a disaster has occurred. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss two contrasting viewpoints on disaster management
- Consider the merits of preparation versus recovery
- Provide a personal opinion with supporting arguments
How to deal with the challenges of climate-related natural disasters is a crucial skill that communities need to develop. Let’s examine three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting a different band score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Natural disasters pose significant challenges to communities worldwide, sparking debate on whether resources should be allocated to preparedness or recovery efforts. While both approaches have merits, I believe a balanced strategy that prioritizes preparation is most effective in building resilient communities.
Proponents of focusing on disaster preparedness argue that prevention is better than cure. By investing in early warning systems, robust infrastructure, and community education programs, societies can mitigate the potential impact of natural disasters. For instance, Japan’s extensive earthquake preparedness measures, including strict building codes and regular drills, have significantly reduced casualties during seismic events. Moreover, preparedness often proves more cost-effective in the long run, as it can substantially reduce the financial burden of post-disaster recovery.
On the other hand, advocates for prioritizing recovery efforts contend that no amount of preparation can fully prevent damage from severe natural disasters. They argue that resources are better spent on developing efficient recovery mechanisms, such as emergency response teams and reconstruction plans. This approach ensures that communities can bounce back quickly after a disaster, minimizing long-term economic and social disruption. The United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for example, focuses heavily on coordinating recovery efforts, which has proven crucial in the aftermath of hurricanes and floods.
In my opinion, while both preparation and recovery are essential components of disaster management, a greater emphasis on preparedness is more beneficial. Preparation not only saves lives but also reduces the scale of recovery needed, creating a more resilient community overall. However, the most effective approach would be to integrate both strategies, ensuring communities are well-prepared for potential disasters while also having robust recovery plans in place.
To achieve this balance, governments and communities should invest in comprehensive risk assessment, infrastructure reinforcement, and public awareness campaigns. Simultaneously, they should develop detailed recovery plans and maintain resources for post-disaster reconstruction. This holistic approach would enhance community resilience, enabling societies to withstand and recover from natural disasters more effectively.
(Word count: 309)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Natural disasters are a big problem for many communities. Some people think we should prepare for them, while others say we should focus on recovery after they happen. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support preparation say it’s important to be ready. They believe that if we have good warning systems and strong buildings, we can reduce the damage caused by disasters. For example, in some countries, they have earthquake-proof buildings that save many lives. Also, if people know what to do in an emergency, they can react better when a disaster happens.
On the other hand, people who think recovery is more important say that we can’t stop natural disasters completely. They believe it’s better to have good plans for helping people after a disaster. This includes things like emergency teams and plans to rebuild quickly. They say this helps communities get back to normal faster.
In my opinion, both preparation and recovery are important, but I think preparation is more crucial. If we prepare well, we can save more lives and reduce the damage. This means we won’t need to spend as much on recovery. However, I also think we should have good recovery plans because we can’t prevent all disasters.
To conclude, I believe the best approach is to focus more on preparation while also having good recovery plans. This way, communities can be stronger and better able to handle natural disasters.
(Word count: 249)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Natural disasters are very bad for communities. Some people say we should prepare for them, but others think we should focus on recovery after they happen. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
Preparing for disasters is good because it can help save lives. If we have strong buildings and good warning systems, less people will get hurt when a disaster happens. Also, if people know what to do in an emergency, they can be safer.
But some people think recovery is more important. They say we can’t stop all disasters, so we need to be ready to help people after they happen. This means having emergency teams and plans to rebuild things quickly.
I think both ideas are important, but preparation is better. If we prepare well, less bad things will happen during a disaster. This means we won’t need to spend as much money on recovery. But we should also have plans for recovery because we can’t stop all disasters.
In conclusion, I think we should focus more on preparation but also have good recovery plans. This will help communities be stronger when natural disasters happen.
(Word count: 185)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with well-developed ideas
- Presents a clear position throughout the response
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
- 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 become unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task with some evidence of style and flexibility
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with good control
- Arranges information coherently with clear overall progression
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but development is not always clear
- Uses limited range of vocabulary; attempts to use less common words but with some inaccuracy
- Uses a limited range of structures with some repetition
- Presents information with some organization but may lack overall progression
How to promote resilience in communities facing natural disasters is a crucial aspect that all these essays touch upon, albeit with varying degrees of sophistication and depth.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Resilience (noun) – /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
- Mitigation (noun) – /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
- Preparedness (noun) – /prɪˈpeədnəs/ – The state of being ready or prepared for something
- Recovery (noun) – /rɪˈkʌvəri/ – The process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty
- Vulnerability (noun) – /ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪləti/ – The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally
- Reconstruction (noun) – /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkʃn/ – The action or process of rebuilding or reorganizing something
- Adaptability (noun) – /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/ – The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions or situations
- Proactive (adjective) – /prəʊˈæktɪv/ – Creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened
- Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
Conclusion
The impact of natural disasters on community resilience is a complex and increasingly relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. By studying these sample essays and understanding the criteria for different band scores, you can improve your ability to address such questions effectively. Remember to balance your discussion of preparation and recovery efforts, use a range of vocabulary and structures appropriate to your level, and maintain a clear position throughout your essay.
To further enhance your skills, consider practicing with similar topics such as:
- The role of government versus individual responsibility in disaster preparedness
- The economic impact of natural disasters on developing versus developed countries
- The effectiveness of international aid in disaster recovery efforts
We encourage you to write your own essay on the given topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your writing skills and receive valuable feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.
Impact of climate change on ecosystems is another related topic that you might encounter in IELTS Writing Task 2, which also ties into the broader theme of environmental challenges and community resilience.