Universal Basic Income (UBI) has become an increasingly popular topic in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it has found its way into IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. As an IELTS instructor, I’ve noticed a rising trend in questions related to UBI, particularly focusing on its potential benefits and drawbacks. Given its relevance to current socio-economic discussions, it’s highly likely that you’ll encounter a UBI-related question in your IELTS exam.

Let’s explore a common IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic and analyze how to approach it effectively.

Analyzing the Question

Some people believe that governments should provide a universal basic income to all citizens, regardless of their employment status. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

This question is asking for your opinion on the implementation of Universal Basic Income. It’s crucial to understand the key elements:

1. The main idea: Universal Basic Income for all citizens
2. The condition: Regardless of employment status
3. The task: Express your level of agreement or disagreement

Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer. The examiners are looking for a well-structured, coherent argument that clearly expresses your viewpoint.

Sample Essay for Band 8-9

Here’s a sample essay that would likely score in the Band 8-9 range:

Universal Basic Income (UBI) has emerged as a contentious topic in recent years, with proponents arguing that it could alleviate poverty and provide financial security for all. While I acknowledge the potential benefits of such a system, I largely disagree with the idea of implementing UBI for all citizens, regardless of their employment status.

Undoubtedly, UBI could offer several advantages. Firstly, it could provide a safety net for those facing financial hardship, reducing stress and improving overall well-being. Moreover, it might encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, as people would have a basic income to fall back on while pursuing new ventures. Additionally, UBI could potentially streamline welfare systems, reducing administrative costs and bureaucracy.

However, I believe the drawbacks of a universal system outweigh these benefits. The primary concern is the enormous cost of implementing UBI, which would likely necessitate significant tax increases or cuts to other essential services. This could potentially harm the economy and reduce overall living standards. Furthermore, a universal system that disregards employment status might disincentivize work, leading to reduced productivity and a shrinking workforce. This could have far-reaching consequences for economic growth and societal progress.

Instead of a universal system, I propose a more targeted approach to social welfare. Governments should focus on providing support to those who genuinely need it, such as the unemployed, disabled, or those on low incomes. This could be combined with investments in education and job training programs to help people become self-sufficient. Such an approach would be more cost-effective and maintain the incentive to work while still providing a safety net for the most vulnerable members of society.

In conclusion, while UBI presents an intriguing solution to economic inequality, I believe its universal implementation regardless of employment status is impractical and potentially harmful. A more nuanced, targeted approach to social welfare would be more effective in addressing poverty and promoting economic stability.

(Word count: 309)

Universal Basic Income Debate

Sample Essay for Band 6-7

Now, let’s look at a sample essay that would likely score in the Band 6-7 range:

The idea of governments providing a universal basic income to all citizens has gained attention recently. While this concept has some positive aspects, I disagree with implementing it for everyone regardless of their job status.

One main advantage of universal basic income is that it could help reduce poverty. By giving everyone a basic amount of money, people would have enough to cover their basic needs. This could lead to less stress and better health for many people. Also, it might encourage people to start their own businesses because they would have some financial security.

However, I think there are more disadvantages to this idea. The biggest problem is the cost. Giving money to everyone would be very expensive for governments, and they might have to raise taxes a lot or cut other important services. This could cause problems for the economy. Another issue is that if people get money without working, some might choose not to work at all. This could lead to less productivity in the country.

I think a better solution would be to focus on helping people who really need it, like those who are unemployed or have low incomes. Governments could also invest in education and job training to help people find better jobs. This would be cheaper than giving money to everyone and would still help those in need.

In conclusion, while universal basic income might have some benefits, I believe it’s not a good idea to give it to everyone regardless of whether they work or not. A more targeted approach to helping those in need would be better for society and the economy.

(Word count: 269)

Key Points to Remember When Writing

1. Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The Band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced argument.

2. Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases (e.g., “contentious topic,” “alleviate poverty,” “disincentivize work”), while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language.

3. Grammar: Both essays use a mix of simple and complex sentences. The Band 8-9 essay demonstrates more variety in sentence structures.

4. Task Response: Both essays address the question directly, but the Band 8-9 essay provides a more in-depth analysis and a more nuanced conclusion.

5. Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay uses more sophisticated linking words and phrases to connect ideas, making the argument flow more smoothly.

Important Vocabulary to Remember

1. Universal Basic Income (UBI) (noun) /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl ˈbeɪsɪk ˈɪnkʌm/ – A government program in which every adult citizen receives a set amount of money regularly

2. Alleviate (verb) /əˈliːvieɪt/ – To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe

3. Contentious (adjective) /kənˈtenʃəs/ – Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

4. Disincentivize (verb) /ˌdɪsɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – To discourage or deter (someone) from doing something

5. Entrepreneurship (noun) /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːʃɪp/ – The activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit

6. Bureaucracy (noun) /bjʊəˈrɒkrəsi/ – A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives

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

8. Impractical (adjective) /ɪmˈpræktɪkl/ – Not sensible or realistic given the circumstances; not likely to be effective or useful

Remember to use these words appropriately in your essays to demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary.

Conclusion

Writing about Universal Basic Income requires a good understanding of economic concepts and social policies. While this sample question focuses on agreement or disagreement, you might encounter variations asking about advantages and disadvantages, or discussing UBI in relation to specific issues like income inequality or poverty reduction.

To prepare for potential UBI-related questions, consider practicing with prompts like:

1. Discuss the potential impacts of Universal Basic Income on work motivation and productivity.
2. Some argue that Universal Basic Income could help reduce poverty. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
3. Compare the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing a Universal Basic Income system.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about knowing the topic, but also about presenting your ideas clearly and coherently. Practice writing essays on this topic and feel free to share them in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your IELTS writing skills.