The topic of universal minimum wage is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing frequently in past exams and likely to continue as a relevant subject in future tests. Given its global economic implications, this topic provides an excellent opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their analytical and writing skills. Let’s explore this theme through a carefully selected question from past IELTS exams.

Some people think that a universal minimum wage should be implemented worldwide. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Analysis of the Question

This question presents a complex economic and social issue that requires careful consideration. The key aspects to address include:

1. The concept of a universal minimum wage
2. Potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing such a policy globally
3. Feasibility of implementation across diverse economies
4. Alternative approaches to ensuring fair wages internationally

Now, let’s examine three sample essays of varying band scores, each approaching this topic differently.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

The notion of implementing a universal minimum wage on a global scale is a contentious issue that has garnered significant attention in recent years. While the intention behind such a policy is undoubtedly noble, I firmly believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to minimum wage is not only impractical but potentially harmful to diverse economies worldwide.

Firstly, it is crucial to recognize the vast disparities in economic conditions, living standards, and purchasing power across different countries. A wage that might be considered minimal in a developed nation could be substantial in a developing country. Imposing a universal minimum wage would ignore these fundamental differences and could lead to severe economic imbalances. For instance, if set too high, it might cause widespread unemployment in less developed economies as businesses struggle to meet the wage requirements. Conversely, if set too low, it would fail to provide adequate support for workers in more expensive countries.

Moreover, the implementation of a global minimum wage would infringe upon the sovereignty of individual nations to manage their economic policies. Each country has unique economic challenges, priorities, and strategies for growth. A universal wage policy would limit a government’s ability to adjust wages in response to local economic conditions, potentially hindering economic development and flexibility. This could be particularly detrimental during times of economic crisis when wage adjustments might be necessary for economic recovery.

However, while a universal minimum wage may not be feasible, the underlying goal of ensuring fair compensation for workers globally is laudable and necessary. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, a more nuanced strategy could involve international cooperation to establish guidelines for fair wages relative to each country’s economic context. This could be achieved through collaborative efforts between international organizations, national governments, and labor unions to set and enforce wage standards that reflect local economic realities while still protecting workers’ rights.

In conclusion, while the idea of a universal minimum wage stems from a commendable desire to ensure fair compensation globally, its implementation would be fraught with challenges and potential negative consequences. A more effective approach would involve fostering international cooperation to develop flexible, context-specific wage policies that can adapt to the diverse economic landscapes of different countries while still prioritizing workers’ well-being.

Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)

This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a comprehensive understanding of the topic, warranting a high band score of 8-9. Here’s why:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a well-developed argument. It considers multiple perspectives and provides relevant examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is logically organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph focuses on a specific idea, and there’s effective use of cohesive devices.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise. Phrases like “contentious issue,” “one-size-fits-all approach,” and “infringe upon the sovereignty” demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a wide range of complex structures used accurately. There’s a good mix of complex and compound sentences, with no noticeable errors.

5. Critical Thinking: The essay demonstrates strong critical thinking skills by considering both the intentions behind the proposal and its practical implications.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The idea of a universal minimum wage across the world is an interesting concept, but I disagree with its implementation. While it aims to ensure fair pay for all workers, there are several problems with this approach.

Firstly, different countries have different economic conditions. A wage that is considered minimum in a developed country like the United States might be very high in a developing country like India. This difference makes it difficult to set a single minimum wage that would work for all countries. If the wage is set too high, it could cause unemployment in poorer countries as businesses might not be able to afford it. If it’s set too low, it won’t help workers in richer countries.

Secondly, the cost of living varies greatly between countries. What is enough to live on in one country might not be sufficient in another. For example, the cost of housing, food, and healthcare can be very different between countries. A universal minimum wage doesn’t take these differences into account.

However, I do think that ensuring fair wages for workers around the world is important. Instead of a universal minimum wage, countries could work together to set guidelines for fair wages based on their local conditions. This could help protect workers’ rights while still considering the economic realities of each country.

In conclusion, while the idea of a universal minimum wage comes from a good intention, it’s not practical to implement worldwide. A better approach would be for countries to cooperate in setting fair wage standards that fit their own economic situations.

Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)

This essay demonstrates good writing skills but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay, placing it in the Band 6-7 range. Here’s why:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task and presents a clear position. However, the ideas could be more fully developed and supported with more specific examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, with clear paragraphing. However, the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate and clear, but lacks the range and precision of higher band scores. There’s less use of idiomatic language and advanced vocabulary.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. However, it doesn’t demonstrate the same level of complexity as the Band 8-9 essay.

5. Critical Thinking: The essay shows good critical thinking, considering multiple aspects of the issue. However, the analysis could be deeper and more nuanced.

Minimum wage economic impact visualization

Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)

I don’t agree with the idea of a universal minimum wage for the whole world. It’s not a good idea because different countries have different situations.

First, countries have different money. Some countries are rich and some are poor. A wage that is small in a rich country might be very big in a poor country. This makes it hard to have one wage for everyone.

Also, things cost different amounts in different places. Food and houses are cheap in some countries but expensive in others. So a wage that is enough in one place might not be enough in another place.

But I think it’s important for workers to get fair pay. Maybe countries can work together to make sure workers are paid fairly, but in a way that makes sense for each country.

In conclusion, I don’t think a universal minimum wage is a good idea. It’s better for each country to decide what is fair for their workers.

Essay Analysis (Band 5-6)

This essay demonstrates basic writing skills and understanding of the topic, placing it in the Band 5-6 range. Here’s why:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses the main task, but the ideas are underdeveloped and lack specific examples or detailed explanations.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure, but paragraphing is simple and there’s limited use of cohesive devices.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is simple and repetitive. There’s a lack of precision and range in word choice.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay primarily uses simple sentence structures with limited complexity. There are some errors, but they don’t significantly impede communication.

5. Critical Thinking: The essay shows basic critical thinking, considering a few aspects of the issue, but the analysis lacks depth and sophistication.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Universal minimum wage (noun phrase) – /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl ˈmɪnɪməm weɪdʒ/ – A standardized lowest legal wage applicable across all countries.

2. Economic disparities (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk dɪˈspærətiz/ – Differences in economic conditions between regions or groups.

3. Sovereignty (noun) – /ˈsɒvrənti/ – The authority of a state to govern itself.

4. Feasible (adjective) – /ˈfiːzəbl/ – Possible and practical to do easily or conveniently.

5. Contentious (adjective) – /kənˈtenʃəs/ – Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument.

6. Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression.

7. Infringement (noun) – /ɪnˈfrɪndʒmənt/ – The action of breaking the terms of a law, agreement, etc.

8. Laudable (adjective) – /ˈlɔːdəbl/ – Deserving praise and commendation.

9. Detrimental (adjective) – /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – Tending to cause harm.

10. Cooperation (noun) – /kəʊˌɒpəˈreɪʃn/ – The action or process of working together to the same end.

In conclusion, the topic of universal minimum wage presents a complex challenge that requires careful consideration of diverse economic realities across the globe. While the intention behind such a proposal is commendable, its practical implementation faces significant hurdles. As you practice writing on this topic, consider exploring related themes such as the impact of globalization on traditional family structures, which can provide additional context for understanding global economic dynamics.

For further practice, you might consider writing essays on related topics such as:

1. The role of international organizations in regulating global labor standards
2. The impact of automation on minimum wage policies
3. Balancing economic growth with fair labor practices in developing countries

We encourage you to write your own essay on the topic provided in this article and share it in the comments section. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS Writing Task 2.