Universal Basic Income (UBI) has become an increasingly popular topic in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it has made its way into IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. This subject touches on various aspects of economics, social welfare, and government policy, making it an ideal candidate for testing candidates’ ability to analyze complex issues and present well-reasoned arguments.
Based on recent trends and the relevance of this topic, it’s highly likely that questions related to UBI will continue to appear in future IELTS exams. Let’s examine a sample question that closely resembles those seen in past exams:
Some people believe that governments should provide a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to all citizens, regardless of their employment status. Others argue that this would be too costly and could discourage people from working. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question asks you to discuss two opposing viewpoints on Universal Basic Income:
- Governments should provide UBI to all citizens.
- UBI would be too expensive and might discourage work.
You’re also required to give your own opinion on the matter. This type of question falls under the “discuss both views and give your opinion” category, which is common in IELTS Writing Task 2.
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Response
In recent years, the concept of Universal Basic Income has gained traction as a potential solution to economic inequality and job insecurity. While some advocate for its implementation, others express concerns about its feasibility and potential negative consequences. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint on this contentious issue.
Proponents of UBI argue that it could provide a safety net for all citizens, ensuring that basic needs are met regardless of employment status. This could potentially reduce poverty and alleviate the stress associated with financial insecurity. Moreover, supporters contend that UBI might foster innovation and entrepreneurship by allowing individuals to take risks without fear of destitution. For instance, people might be more inclined to start businesses or pursue further education if they have a guaranteed basic income to fall back on.
On the other hand, critics of UBI raise valid concerns about its economic viability and potential societal impacts. The most significant argument against UBI is its enormous cost, which could place a substantial burden on government budgets and potentially lead to increased taxation. Furthermore, opponents worry that providing a guaranteed income might disincentivize work, leading to reduced productivity and a shrinking workforce. This could, in turn, have negative consequences for economic growth and competitiveness.
In my opinion, while the idea of UBI is appealing in principle, its implementation would face significant challenges that cannot be easily overcome. The financial implications of such a program would be staggering, particularly for developing countries with limited resources. Additionally, the potential negative impact on work motivation is a serious concern that should not be dismissed lightly.
Instead of a universal approach, I believe that targeted social welfare programs could be more effective in addressing poverty and inequality. By focusing resources on those most in need, governments could provide meaningful support without incurring the enormous costs associated with UBI. Furthermore, investing in education and job training programs could help individuals develop the skills needed to succeed in an ever-changing job market, promoting long-term economic stability and growth.
In conclusion, while Universal Basic Income presents an intriguing solution to some of society’s most pressing problems, its implementation would likely be fraught with difficulties. A more targeted and nuanced approach to social welfare, combined with investments in human capital, may offer a more practical and sustainable path forward.
(Word count: 377)
Universal Basic Income Debate
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and fulfills all the requirements for a high band score:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. It presents a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is cohesive and progresses logically. It uses paragraphing effectively and a range of cohesive devices accurately.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise. Examples include “contentious issue,” “alleviate,” “foster innovation,” “destitution,” and “disincentivize.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences are used effectively throughout.
Development and Support: Each main idea is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Conclusion: The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and restates the writer’s opinion.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Response
The idea of Universal Basic Income has become a topic of debate in many countries. Some people think governments should give money to all citizens regardless of whether they work or not, while others believe this would be too expensive and might make people lazy. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support UBI say it could help reduce poverty and give people more financial security. If everyone received a basic income, they wouldn’t have to worry about paying for food or housing, even if they lost their job. This could make people feel less stressed and maybe even encourage them to start their own businesses or learn new skills. For example, someone might feel more comfortable quitting their job to start a new company if they knew they had some money coming in every month.
On the other hand, critics of UBI point out that it would cost a lot of money to give everyone a basic income. Governments would probably have to raise taxes or cut other services to pay for it, which could cause problems. Another worry is that if people receive money without working, they might become lazy and not want to work at all. This could lead to fewer people in the workforce and might hurt the economy.
In my opinion, while UBI sounds like a good idea, I think it would be too difficult and expensive to implement. I believe there are better ways to help people who are struggling financially. For instance, governments could focus on creating more jobs or providing better education and training programs to help people find work. They could also improve existing welfare systems to make sure they reach the people who need help the most.
To conclude, although Universal Basic Income has some potential benefits, I think the challenges and costs outweigh the advantages. Instead of giving money to everyone, governments should look for more targeted ways to support those in need and help people find good jobs.
(Word count: 329)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but has some limitations compared to the Band 8-9 essay:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents relevant ideas, but the development and support are less sophisticated than in the higher band essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less varied and sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate and accurate, but less advanced than in the higher band essay. There are fewer idiomatic expressions and sophisticated words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, but with less variety and sophistication than the Band 8-9 essay.
Development and Support: Main ideas are supported, but the examples and explanations are less detailed and nuanced than in the higher band essay.
Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main points and restates the writer’s opinion, but in a simpler manner than the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Universal Basic Income (UBI) (noun) – /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl ˈbeɪsɪk ˈɪnkʌm/ – A government program in which every citizen receives a regular financial grant.
Feasibility (noun) – /ˌfiːzəˈbɪləti/ – The state or degree of being easily or conveniently done.
Alleviate (verb) – /əˈliːvieɪt/ – To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
Disincentivize (verb) – /ˌdɪsɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – To discourage or deter (someone) from doing something.
Implementation (noun) – /ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃn/ – The process of putting a decision or plan into effect.
Entrepreneurship (noun) – /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːʃɪp/ – The activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
Economic viability (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌvaɪəˈbɪləti/ – The ability of a business, project, or idea to function and sustain itself financially.
Targeted approach (noun phrase) – /ˈtɑːɡɪtɪd əˈprəʊtʃ/ – A method that focuses on specific groups or issues rather than being general or universal.
Social welfare (noun) – /ˈsəʊʃl ˈwelfeə(r)/ – Government programs that provide assistance to people in need.
Human capital (noun) – /ˈhjuːmən ˈkæpɪtl/ – The skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by an individual or population, viewed in terms of their value or cost to an organization or country.
Conclusion
The topic of Universal Basic Income is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions due to its ongoing debate in many countries. To prepare for such questions, it’s essential to understand the key arguments for and against UBI, as well as its potential impacts on society and the economy.
For practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The impact of automation on employment and the potential role of UBI in addressing job losses.
- The effectiveness of UBI compared to traditional welfare systems in reducing poverty.
- The potential effects of UBI on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. By practicing regularly and analyzing sample essays, you can improve your writing skills and increase your chances of achieving a high band score in IELTS Writing Task 2.
We encourage you to try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your skills and receive feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.