The topic of universal basic income (UBI) has gained significant traction in recent years, making it a popular subject for IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on an analysis of past IELTS exams and current socio-economic trends, it’s highly likely that this topic will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Some people think that governments should provide a universal basic income to all citizens, regardless of their employment status. Others believe this would be too expensive and could lead to a decrease in motivation to work. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the pros of universal basic income
- Discuss the cons of universal basic income
- Provide their own opinion on the matter
The essay should be balanced, addressing both viewpoints before concluding with a personal stance. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The concept of universal basic income (UBI) has gained traction in recent years as a potential solution to economic inequality and job displacement due to automation. While proponents argue that it could provide a safety net for all citizens, critics contend that it may be financially unsustainable and reduce work incentives. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering a personal viewpoint.
Advocates of UBI argue that it could significantly reduce poverty and provide financial security for all citizens. By ensuring a basic standard of living, UBI could alleviate stress associated with financial insecurity and allow individuals to pursue education, start businesses, or engage in creative endeavors without the constant pressure of meeting basic needs. Moreover, as automation continues to disrupt traditional employment, UBI could serve as a buffer against job losses and provide a foundation for workers to retrain or transition to new industries.
On the other hand, critics raise valid concerns about the financial feasibility and potential negative consequences of UBI. Implementing such a program on a national scale would require substantial funding, potentially leading to increased taxes or reallocation of resources from other essential services. Furthermore, there is a fear that guaranteed income might reduce the motivation to work, potentially leading to a decrease in overall productivity and economic growth.
In my opinion, while the concept of UBI is appealing, its implementation requires careful consideration and perhaps a gradual approach. A more viable solution might be to start with targeted basic income programs for specific vulnerable groups, such as the elderly or those in poverty, and gradually expand based on the outcomes and available resources. This approach could help address immediate needs while allowing for the assessment of long-term economic impacts.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding universal basic income reflects the complex challenges faced by modern societies in addressing economic inequality and technological change. While UBI offers potential benefits in terms of reducing poverty and providing economic security, concerns about its financial viability and impact on work motivation cannot be ignored. A balanced approach, combining elements of UBI with targeted support programs and investments in education and job training, may offer a more sustainable path forward.
(Word count: 339)
Universal Basic Income concept illustration
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and ideas are logically linked.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Examples include “traction,” “alleviate,” “buffer,” and “feasibility.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex structures are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.
Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with clear reasoning and relevant examples.
This essay would likely score in the Band 8-9 range due to its sophisticated approach to the topic, clear organization, and excellent use of language.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The idea of governments giving all citizens a basic income, regardless of whether they work or not, is a hot topic these days. Some people think it’s a good idea, while others worry it might cost too much and make people lazy. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
Those who support universal basic income say it could help reduce poverty and give everyone a chance to live decently. If people don’t have to worry about basic needs like food and shelter, they might be able to study more or start their own businesses. This could be especially helpful as more jobs are being replaced by machines and computers.
However, there are also good reasons to be concerned about this idea. The biggest worry is how much it would cost. Governments would need to spend a lot of money to give everyone a basic income, which might mean higher taxes or less money for other important things like healthcare or education. Also, some people think that if everyone gets money for free, they might not want to work as hard, which could be bad for the economy.
In my opinion, while universal basic income sounds nice, it might be too difficult to do right now. I think a better idea would be to focus on helping people who really need it, like those who are very poor or can’t work because of health problems. We could also spend more money on education and job training to help people find good jobs in the changing economy.
To conclude, universal basic income is a complicated issue with both good and bad points. While it could help reduce poverty, there are serious concerns about its cost and effects on society. I believe we should look for other ways to help people that are more affordable and encourage people to work and contribute to society.
(Word count: 309)
Pros and Cons of Universal Basic Income
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good competence in English, but with some limitations:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and providing a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is sometimes overused or faulty (e.g., “However” at the start of a paragraph).
Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary, but there is limited evidence of sophisticated word choice or idiomatic language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Development of Ideas: The main points are relevant, but some ideas lack full development or supporting examples.
This essay would likely score in the Band 6-7 range. It demonstrates a good understanding of the topic and communicates ideas clearly, but lacks the sophistication and depth of a higher band score essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Universal Basic Income (UBI) (noun) – /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl ˈbeɪsɪk ˈɪnkʌm/ – A government program in which every adult citizen receives a set amount of money on a regular basis.
Economic inequality (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/ – The unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society.
Automation (noun) – /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn/ – The use of largely automatic equipment in a system of manufacturing or other production process.
Financial feasibility (noun phrase) – /faɪˈnænʃl ˌfiːzəˈbɪləti/ – The degree to which a financial project or plan is possible or viable.
Work incentive (noun phrase) – /wɜːk ɪnˈsentɪv/ – Something that motivates or encourages someone to work.
Job displacement (noun phrase) – /dʒɒb dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ – The elimination of jobs due to technological or economic changes.
Productivity (noun) – /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/ – The effectiveness of productive effort, especially in industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input.
Socio-economic (adjective) – /ˌsəʊsioʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ – Relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors.
Safety net (noun phrase) – /ˈseɪfti net/ – A safeguard against possible hardship or adversity.
Reallocation (noun) – /ˌriːæləˈkeɪʃn/ – The action of allocating something again or in a different way.
Conclusion
The topic of universal basic income is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays due to its growing importance in global economic discussions. To prepare for this and similar topics, practice writing balanced essays that consider multiple perspectives and provide well-reasoned personal opinions.
Other related topics you might encounter could include:
- The impact of automation on employment
- Government strategies for reducing poverty
- The future of work in the digital age
- Economic inequality and potential solutions
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the UBI topic provided in this article. Share your essay in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills and prepare for the exam.