Economic sanctions and their effects on global markets have become an increasingly relevant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This subject has appeared in various forms over the past few years, reflecting its growing importance in international relations and economics. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, it’s highly likely that questions related to economic sanctions will feature more prominently in future IELTS exams.
Based on recent trends, here’s a relevant IELTS Writing Task 2 question that aligns closely with past exam topics:
Some people believe that economic sanctions are an effective way to pressure countries to change their policies, while others argue that sanctions mainly harm ordinary citizens. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
This question falls under the “discuss both views and give your opinion” category. It requires you to:
- Discuss the view that economic sanctions are effective in changing country policies
- Discuss the opposing view that sanctions mainly harm ordinary citizens
- Provide your own opinion on the matter
To score well, you need to address all parts of the question, provide relevant examples, and structure your essay logically.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Economic sanctions have long been a tool of international diplomacy, but their effectiveness and ethical implications remain hotly debated. While some argue that sanctions can successfully pressure nations to alter their policies, others contend that they disproportionately affect innocent civilians. In my view, while sanctions can be effective in certain circumstances, their potential to cause widespread suffering among ordinary citizens often outweighs their benefits.
Proponents of economic sanctions argue that they provide a non-violent means of influencing a country’s behavior. By restricting trade, freezing assets, or limiting financial transactions, sanctions can exert significant pressure on a nation’s economy, potentially forcing its leadership to reconsider contentious policies. For example, sanctions against South Africa in the 1980s are often credited with contributing to the end of apartheid. Similarly, recent sanctions against Russia following its actions in Ukraine have arguably impacted its economy and influenced some policy decisions.
However, critics rightfully point out that sanctions frequently fail to achieve their intended goals while causing substantial harm to ordinary citizens. The burden of economic hardship often falls disproportionately on the most vulnerable segments of society, leading to increased poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to essential goods and services. The sanctions imposed on Iraq in the 1990s, for instance, resulted in severe humanitarian consequences, with UNICEF estimating that they contributed to the deaths of over 500,000 children due to malnutrition and lack of medical supplies.
In my opinion, while economic sanctions can be effective in certain limited scenarios, their potential for causing widespread suffering among innocent populations often outweighs their benefits. Instead of broad sanctions that indiscriminately affect entire populations, I believe that targeted measures focused on specific individuals or entities responsible for objectionable policies would be more ethical and potentially more effective. Additionally, diplomacy and positive incentives for policy changes should be prioritized over punitive measures that risk harming vulnerable citizens.
In conclusion, the debate over economic sanctions highlights the complex challenges of international relations and the the impact of economic inequality on global stability. While sanctions can sometimes influence national policies, their humanitarian costs are often too high. A more nuanced and targeted approach, combined with diplomatic efforts, may offer a more effective and ethical path forward in addressing global conflicts and policy disagreements.
(Word count: 420)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Economic sanctions are a controversial topic in international relations. Some people think they are a good way to make countries change their behavior, while others believe they mostly hurt ordinary people. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, supporters of economic sanctions say they can be effective in pressuring countries to change their policies. When a country faces trade restrictions or financial penalties, it can damage their economy and make leaders reconsider their actions. For example, sanctions against Iran led to negotiations about its nuclear program. Sanctions can also show that the international community disapproves of a country’s actions without using military force.
On the other hand, critics argue that sanctions often harm innocent citizens more than they affect governments. When sanctions are imposed, it’s usually the poor and vulnerable who suffer the most. They may face shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods. For instance, sanctions on Iraq in the 1990s caused severe hardship for ordinary Iraqis, with many children suffering from malnutrition. Additionally, sanctions don’t always work in changing a government’s behavior, especially if the leaders don’t care about their citizens’ well-being.
In my opinion, while economic sanctions can sometimes be effective, they often cause too much harm to innocent people. I think it’s important to find ways to influence countries’ policies that don’t hurt ordinary citizens. Perhaps targeted sanctions against specific leaders or companies could be more effective and less harmful. Also, using diplomacy and offering incentives for good behavior might work better in some cases.
To conclude, economic sanctions are a complex issue with both potential benefits and serious drawbacks. While they can sometimes influence countries’ policies, the cost to ordinary citizens is often too high. I believe we need to find better ways to address international conflicts that don’t cause so much suffering for innocent people.
(Word count: 353)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring response:
- Task Achievement: All parts of the question are fully addressed with a clear position throughout.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are well-linked and cohesive devices are used effectively.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, including less common phrases (e.g., “hotly debated,” “disproportionately affect”).
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used accurately, with only minor errors.
Band 6-7 Essay
This essay shows the features of a mid-range response:
- Task Achievement: All parts of the question are addressed, but the development of ideas is less thorough than in the Band 8-9 essay.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but some linking devices are overused or underused.
- Lexical Resource: An adequate range of vocabulary is used, with some attempts at less common words, but with occasional inaccuracy.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentences is used, with some errors that do not impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Economic sanctions (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈsæŋkʃənz/ – Punitive economic measures imposed by countries against each other
- Diplomacy (noun) – /dɪˈpləʊməsi/ – The art of conducting international relations
- Humanitarian (adjective) – /hjuːˌmænɪˈteəriən/ – Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare
- Disproportionately (adverb) – /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli/ – To a degree that is too large or too small in comparison with something else
- Contentious (adjective) – /kənˈtenʃəs/ – Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument
- Incentives (noun) – /ɪnˈsentɪvz/ – Things that motivate or encourage someone to do something
- Vulnerable (adjective) – /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ – Exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally
- Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
Understanding and using these terms correctly can significantly enhance your essay’s lexical resource score.
In conclusion, the topic of economic sanctions and their impact on global markets is likely to remain relevant for future IELTS exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as international trade policies, global economic cooperation, and the effects of inflation on export competitiveness. Remember to analyze the question carefully, structure your essay logically, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active approach to learning can significantly improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in the IELTS Writing Task 2.