The topic of whether wealthier nations should help poorer nations has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on analysis of past IELTS tests and current global issues, this topic has a high probability of appearing in future exams. It touches on crucial aspects of international relations, global economics, and social responsibility, making it a relevant and thought-provoking subject for test-takers.
Let’s examine a specific question that has appeared in past IELTS exams and is likely to resurface in various forms:
Some people believe that rich countries should provide poorer nations with food and educational resources. Others argue that practical aid and advice are more useful. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question presents two contrasting views on how wealthy nations should assist poorer countries:
- Providing tangible resources (food and educational materials)
- Offering practical aid and advice
The task requires you to:
- Discuss both perspectives
- Present your own opinion
- Support your arguments with relevant examples and explanations
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, followed by detailed analyses.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In today’s interconnected world, the question of how affluent nations should support less developed countries is increasingly pertinent. While some advocate for direct provision of resources such as food and educational materials, others argue that practical assistance and guidance are more beneficial. In my opinion, a balanced approach incorporating both strategies is most effective in fostering sustainable development.
Those who support providing tangible resources argue that immediate needs must be addressed first. Food aid can alleviate hunger and malnutrition, which are pressing issues in many impoverished nations. Similarly, educational resources like textbooks and computers can enhance learning opportunities, potentially breaking the cycle of poverty through education. This direct approach can yield visible, short-term results and demonstrate a concrete commitment to helping those in need.
On the other hand, proponents of practical aid and advice emphasize the importance of long-term solutions. By offering expertise in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and governance, wealthy nations can empower poorer countries to develop their own capabilities. For instance, teaching sustainable farming techniques or providing guidance on economic policies can lead to lasting improvements in living standards. This approach fosters independence and self-reliance, rather than perpetuating a cycle of dependence on foreign aid.
In my view, the most effective strategy combines both approaches. While immediate aid is crucial for addressing urgent needs, it should be complemented by practical assistance aimed at building local capacity. For example, food aid could be paired with agricultural training programs, ensuring both short-term relief and long-term food security. Similarly, providing educational materials should be accompanied by teacher training and curriculum development support to maximize the impact of these resources.
Moreover, it’s essential to tailor assistance to the specific needs and contexts of each recipient country. A one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to succeed given the diverse challenges faced by different nations. Collaboration between donor and recipient countries is key to identifying the most pressing needs and the most appropriate forms of aid.
In conclusion, while both the provision of resources and practical assistance have their merits, a comprehensive approach that combines these strategies is most likely to yield sustainable results. By addressing immediate needs while simultaneously building long-term capacity, wealthy nations can make a meaningful and lasting contribution to global development.
(Word count: 374)
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 views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion. It provides a balanced argument with well-developed ideas and relevant examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is logically organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central theme, and ideas are linked both within and between paragraphs using a range of cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Examples include “interconnected world,” “fostering sustainable development,” and “perpetuating a cycle of dependence.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures used flexibly and accurately. Complex sentences are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is extended and supported with relevant examples and explanations, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to idea development.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The question of whether rich countries should help poor countries is important in today’s world. Some people think giving food and educational resources is the best way, while others believe practical help and advice is better. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Providing food and educational resources has some advantages. Firstly, it can help solve immediate problems like hunger. Many poor countries struggle to feed their people, so food aid can save lives. Also, giving things like books and computers can help improve education in these countries. This is important because education can help people get better jobs and improve their lives.
On the other hand, practical aid and advice can be very useful too. Rich countries can teach poor countries how to do things better. For example, they can show them how to grow more food or how to run their businesses more efficiently. This kind of help can have long-lasting effects because it teaches people skills they can use for a long time.
In my opinion, both types of help are important. I think rich countries should provide food and resources when there are emergencies or serious shortages. But they should also focus on giving practical help and advice. This way, poor countries can learn to solve their own problems in the future.
One problem with just giving food and resources is that poor countries might become too dependent on this help. If they learn to do things for themselves, they will be stronger in the long run. However, it’s also true that some countries need immediate help before they can start thinking about long-term solutions.
In conclusion, I believe rich countries should use both methods to help poor countries. They should provide resources when needed, but also focus on teaching skills and giving advice. This balanced approach is the best way to help poor countries develop and become more independent.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good competence in English, but with some limitations:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and presenting an opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed and supported with more specific examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. Paragraphing is logical, but the use of cohesive devices could be more sophisticated and varied.
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Lexical Resource: There is a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, with some attempts at more sophisticated words. However, the language sometimes lacks precision, and there is some repetition.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are no major grammatical errors, but the range of structures is somewhat limited.
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Development of Ideas: Main ideas are relevant and supported, but the level of detail and explanation is not as extensive as in the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Affluent (adjective) /əˈfluːənt/ – wealthy, rich
- Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – able to be maintained at a certain level
- Alleviate (verb) /əˈliːvieɪt/ – make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe
- Perpetuate (verb) /pəˈpetʃueɪt/ – make (something) continue indefinitely
- Empower (verb) /ɪmˈpaʊə(r)/ – give (someone) the authority or power to do something
- Collaborate (verb) /kəˈlæbəreɪt/ – work jointly on an activity or project
- Interdependence (noun) /ˌɪntədɪˈpendəns/ – the dependence of two or more people or things on each other
- Pragmatic (adjective) /præɡˈmætɪk/ – dealing with things sensibly and realistically
- Efficacy (noun) /ˈefɪkəsi/ – the ability to produce a desired or intended result
- Holistic (adjective) /həˈlɪstɪk/ – characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole
Conclusion
The topic of wealthy nations helping poorer countries is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. As global inequalities persist and international cooperation becomes increasingly important, this subject will continue to be a valuable testing ground for candidates’ ability to analyze complex issues and articulate their thoughts clearly.
When approaching similar topics, remember to:
- Clearly address all parts of the question
- Provide a balanced discussion of different viewpoints
- Support your arguments with specific examples and explanations
- Use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures accurately
- Organize your ideas logically and use cohesive devices effectively
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of international organizations in addressing global poverty
- The ethics of conditional aid in international development
- The impact of globalization on economic inequality between nations
- The balance between environmental protection and economic development in poorer countries
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the topic discussed in this article. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with fellow learners. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.
For more insights on related topics, you might find these articles helpful:
- Government Policies to Reduce Economic Inequality
- The Effects of Economic Inequality on Public Health
- Impact of Climate Change on Economic Development
Remember, consistent practice and exposure to a variety of topics will help you build the skills and confidence needed to excel in IELTS Writing Task 2.