Organic farming has become a hot topic in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it has made its way into IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, we predict that questions related to government subsidies for organic farming are likely to appear more frequently in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS exams:
Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
While this question doesn’t directly address organic farming, it follows a similar structure and can be adapted to our topic. Let’s analyze a potential question about government subsidies for organic farming:
Some people believe that governments should provide financial support to organic farmers. Others think that organic farming should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Now, let’s break down this question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analysis of the Question
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the view that governments should financially support organic farmers
- Discuss the view that organic farming should be funded by alternative sources
- Give your own opinion on the matter
Remember to address all parts of the question and provide a balanced discussion of both views before presenting your own opinion.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In recent years, the debate over government subsidies for organic farming has intensified as more consumers demand environmentally friendly and healthier food options. While some argue that governments should provide financial support to organic farmers, others believe that alternative funding sources are more appropriate. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering a personal viewpoint.
Proponents of government subsidies for organic farming argue that such support is crucial for the growth and sustainability of the sector. They contend that organic farming practices contribute to environmental conservation, soil health, and biodiversity, which are public goods that benefit society as a whole. Furthermore, organic farmers often face higher production costs and lower yields during the transition period, making it difficult to compete with conventional agriculture without financial assistance. Government subsidies could help level the playing field and encourage more farmers to adopt organic methods, ultimately leading to a more sustainable food system.
On the other hand, those who oppose government subsidies for organic farming maintain that the sector should be funded through alternative sources. They argue that the free market should determine the viability of organic farming, and that consumer demand should drive its growth rather than taxpayer money. Additionally, critics point out that government subsidies may create an unfair advantage for organic farmers over conventional ones, potentially distorting market dynamics. They suggest that private investments, crowdfunding, or partnerships with environmentally conscious corporations could provide the necessary financial support without burdening public funds.
In my opinion, a balanced approach that combines government support with alternative funding sources would be most effective in promoting organic farming. While I believe that some level of government subsidies is justified due to the public benefits of organic agriculture, I also recognize the importance of market forces in driving innovation and efficiency. Governments could provide initial support to help farmers transition to organic methods and invest in research and development, while simultaneously encouraging private sector involvement through tax incentives or public-private partnerships. This approach would foster a more resilient and diverse organic farming sector without over-relying on public funds.
In conclusion, the question of whether governments should subsidize organic farming is complex and multifaceted. By combining targeted government support with alternative funding sources, we can create a sustainable and thriving organic agricultural sector that benefits both farmers and society at large.
(Word count: 375)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices (e.g., “While,” “Furthermore,” “On the other hand,” “Additionally”).
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “intensified,” “environmentally friendly,” “sustainability,” “distorting market dynamics”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex sentence structures with minimal errors (e.g., “Proponents of government subsidies for organic farming argue that such support is crucial for the growth and sustainability of the sector.”).
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Development and Support: Each main idea is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Nowadays, there is a debate about whether governments should give money to organic farmers or if they should find other ways to get funding. This essay will look at both sides of this argument and give my opinion.
Some people think that governments should support organic farmers with money. They say that organic farming is good for the environment and helps make healthier food, which is important for everyone. Organic farmers often have to spend more money to grow their crops without chemicals, so they need help to compete with regular farmers. If the government gives them money, more farmers might choose to become organic, which could be better for our planet and our health.
However, other people believe that organic farming should not get money from the government. They think that if people want organic food, they should pay more for it, and this will help organic farmers make money without government help. They also say that it’s not fair to give money to organic farmers but not to regular farmers. Instead, they suggest that organic farmers could get money from big companies that care about the environment or from people who want to support organic farming.
In my opinion, I think a mix of both ideas could work well. The government could give some money to help farmers start organic farming because it’s good for everyone. But organic farmers should also try to find other ways to get money, like working with companies or asking people who like organic food to support them. This way, organic farming can grow without depending too much on government money.
To conclude, the question of whether governments should give money to organic farmers is not easy to answer. I believe that some government support, along with other sources of money, can help organic farming become more common and successful.
(Word count: 309)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a personal opinion, but with less depth than the higher band essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but uses simpler cohesive devices (e.g., “However,” “Also,” “To conclude”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate but less sophisticated than the higher band essay (e.g., “good for the environment” instead of “contribute to environmental conservation”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors that do not impede communication.
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Development and Support: Main ideas are supported, but with less detail and elaboration compared to the higher band essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- subsidy (noun) – /ˈsʌb.sɪ.di/ – financial support provided by a government to a person or group
- sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/ – able to continue over a period of time without damaging the environment
- biodiversity (noun) – /ˌbaɪ.əʊ.daɪˈvɜː.sə.ti/ – the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat
- viable (adjective) – /ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/ – capable of working successfully; feasible
- transition (noun) – /trænˈzɪʃ.ən/ – the process of changing from one state or condition to another
- innovation (noun) – /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ – a new idea, method, or invention
- resilient (adjective) – /rɪˈzɪl.i.ənt/ – able to quickly recover from difficulties
- multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- incentive (noun) – /ɪnˈsen.tɪv/ – something that encourages a person to do something
- distort (verb) – /dɪˈstɔːt/ – to change something from its original or natural shape or condition
In conclusion, the topic of government subsidies for organic farming is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare, practice writing essays on similar topics such as:
- The role of government in promoting sustainable agriculture
- The pros and cons of organic farming versus conventional farming
- The impact of agricultural policies on food prices and availability
Remember to analyze the question carefully, address all parts of the task, and support your arguments with relevant examples and explanations. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with other learners.