Sustainable agriculture practices have become an increasingly important topic in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This theme aligns with global concerns about food security, environmental conservation, and rural development. Based on analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, it’s highly likely that questions related to sustainable agriculture will continue to appear frequently in future tests.
Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that farmers should focus solely on producing food, while others argue that farmers should also take responsibility for protecting the environment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question addresses the balance between food production and environmental protection in agriculture. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that farmers should focus only on food production
- Discuss the view that farmers should also protect the environment
- Provide their own opinion on the issue
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-band response.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Agriculture plays a crucial role in feeding the world’s growing population, but it also has significant environmental impacts. While some argue that farmers should concentrate solely on food production, others believe they should also be responsible for environmental protection. In my opinion, a balanced approach that combines both objectives is essential for long-term sustainability.
Those who advocate for farmers to focus exclusively on food production argue that with a rapidly increasing global population, maximizing crop yields should be the top priority. They contend that modern farming techniques, including the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, are necessary to meet the rising demand for food. Furthermore, they believe that environmental concerns should be addressed by other sectors or government agencies, allowing farmers to concentrate on their primary role of food production.
On the other hand, proponents of environmental responsibility in farming emphasize the long-term consequences of unsustainable agricultural practices. They argue that soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity resulting from intensive farming methods ultimately threaten food security. By adopting sustainable practices such as crop rotation, organic farming, and integrated pest management, farmers can protect the environment while maintaining productive yields. This approach ensures the longevity of agricultural lands and preserves ecosystem services that are vital for farming.
In my view, the two objectives of food production and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive but rather interdependent. Farmers should strive to implement sustainable practices that balance productivity with ecological conservation. This can be achieved through precision agriculture, which uses technology to optimize resource use, and agroecology, which applies ecological principles to farming systems. By doing so, farmers can ensure food security while preserving the natural resources upon which agriculture depends.
In conclusion, while the primary role of farmers is indeed food production, this cannot be sustainably achieved without considering environmental impacts. A holistic approach that integrates both food production and environmental stewardship is crucial for the future of agriculture and global food security.
(Word count: 309)
Sustainable agriculture practices
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of linking words (“On the other hand”, “Furthermore”, “In conclusion”).
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (“rapidly increasing global population”, “soil degradation”, “integrated pest management”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly (“While some argue that…”, “Those who advocate for…”, “By adopting sustainable practices…”).
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Nowadays, there is a debate about whether farmers should only focus on producing food or if they should also take care of the environment. Some people think farmers should just grow food, while others believe they need to protect nature too. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
People who say farmers should only produce food have some good reasons. First, there are many hungry people in the world, so we need to grow a lot of food. If farmers worry too much about the environment, they might not grow enough food for everyone. Also, using things like fertilizers and pesticides can help farmers grow more food quickly.
However, other people think farmers should also protect the environment. They say that if farmers don’t take care of the land and water, it will be hard to grow food in the future. For example, if farmers use too many chemicals, it can pollute the water and make the soil bad for growing crops. These people believe that farmers can use better ways to grow food that don’t harm nature.
In my opinion, I think farmers should try to do both things. They should grow enough food for people, but also try to protect the environment. There are new farming methods that can help do this, like using less water and chemicals. If farmers take care of the environment, they can keep growing food for a long time.
To conclude, while growing food is very important, farmers should also think about the environment. By finding a balance between these two things, we can have enough food and a healthy planet for the future.
(Word count: 276)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates competence in several areas but with some limitations:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (“Nowadays”, “However”, “To conclude”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate but less varied and precise compared to the higher band essay (“good reasons”, “better ways”, “new farming methods”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, but with less variety and flexibility than the Band 8-9 essay.
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Development of Ideas: The main points are supported, but the examples and explanations are more general and less detailed.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Sustainable agriculture (noun): Farming practices that ensure long-term productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Pronunciation: /səˈsteɪnəbəl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/ -
Environmental stewardship (noun): The responsible use and protection of the natural environment.
Pronunciation: /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈstjuːərdʃɪp/ -
Crop rotation (noun): The practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons.
Pronunciation: /krɒp rəʊˈteɪʃən/ -
Biodiversity (noun): The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
Pronunciation: /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪti/ -
Agroecology (noun): The study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems.
Pronunciation: /ˌæɡrəʊɪˈkɒlədʒi/ -
Precision agriculture (noun): A farming management concept using technology to optimize field-level management.
Pronunciation: /prɪˈsɪʒən ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/ -
Ecosystem services (noun phrase): The benefits people obtain from ecosystems.
Pronunciation: /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm ˈsɜːvɪsɪz/ -
Food security (noun phrase): The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Pronunciation: /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/
Conclusion
The topic of sustainable agriculture practices in IELTS Writing Task 2 reflects the growing global concern for balancing food production with environmental protection. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider practicing with similar topics such as:
- The role of technology in sustainable farming
- Government policies to promote environmentally friendly agriculture
- The impact of climate change on agricultural practices
- Organic farming versus conventional farming methods
- The importance of biodiversity in agriculture
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to address all parts of the question, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and develop your ideas with relevant examples and explanations. Practice writing essays on these topics and feel free to share your attempts in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.
For more insights on related topics, you might find these articles helpful:
- Sustainable Agriculture in Urban Areas
- How Climate Change is Affecting Agriculture in Developing Nations
- The Role of Digital Technology in Promoting Food Security
By studying these sample essays and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any question about sustainable agriculture practices in your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam.
