Sustainable agriculture has become an increasingly important topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on recent trends, it’s likely that questions related to the role of governments in promoting sustainable farming practices will continue to appear in future exams. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS tests:
Some people believe that governments should invest in developing farming in rural areas. Others believe that this money should be spent on improving facilities and services in cities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
This question touches on the broader theme of sustainable agriculture and government involvement in rural development. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
This task requires you to discuss two contrasting views:
- Governments should invest in developing farming in rural areas
- Governments should spend money on improving urban facilities and services
You need to:
- Discuss both viewpoints
- Provide your own opinion
- Support your arguments with relevant examples and explanations
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
There is ongoing debate about whether government resources should be allocated to developing rural agriculture or improving urban infrastructure. While both approaches have merit, I believe a balanced strategy that prioritizes sustainable farming practices is crucial for long-term national development.
Proponents of urban investment argue that cities are the engines of economic growth and require constant upgrades to remain competitive. Improved transportation networks, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions in urban areas can attract skilled workers and businesses, potentially boosting the overall economy. For example, Singapore’s continuous investment in its urban infrastructure has helped it become a global financial hub, attracting multinational corporations and top talent from around the world.
On the other hand, advocates for rural agricultural development emphasize the importance of food security and sustainable resource management. By investing in modern farming techniques, irrigation systems, and agricultural education, governments can increase crop yields, reduce environmental degradation, and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. Countries like India have demonstrated the positive impact of such investments through initiatives like the Green Revolution, which significantly increased food production and rural prosperity.
In my opinion, while urban development is undoubtedly important, prioritizing sustainable agriculture through government support is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures food security for the growing global population. Secondly, it helps preserve natural resources and biodiversity, which are essential for long-term environmental sustainability. Lastly, it can reduce rural-urban migration by creating economic opportunities in rural areas, thus alleviating pressure on urban infrastructure.
A balanced approach that focuses on sustainable agriculture while maintaining urban development is ideal. Governments could implement policies that encourage urban-rural linkages, such as promoting local food systems and creating markets for rural products in cities. This strategy would foster mutual growth and reduce the stark divide between urban and rural areas.
In conclusion, while both urban and rural development are important, I believe that government investment in sustainable agriculture should take precedence due to its far-reaching benefits for food security, environmental protection, and balanced national development. A holistic approach that integrates rural and urban growth is key to building a resilient and prosperous society.
(Word count: 345)
Government investment in sustainable agriculture
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The question of whether governments should invest in rural farming or urban facilities is a complex issue. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and in this essay, I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, investing in farming in rural areas can bring many benefits. It can help increase food production, which is important for feeding the growing population. Also, it can create jobs for people in rural areas and improve their living standards. For example, in some developing countries, government support for farmers has helped reduce poverty in rural regions.
On the other hand, spending money on improving facilities and services in cities is also important. Cities are where most people live and work, so good infrastructure and services are necessary. Better transportation, healthcare, and education in cities can attract businesses and skilled workers, which can boost the economy. For instance, many successful countries have invested heavily in their cities to make them more competitive globally.
In my opinion, both rural and urban areas need government support, but I think investing in sustainable farming should be a priority. This is because food security is crucial for any country, and sustainable farming practices can help protect the environment for future generations. However, I believe that governments should not completely ignore urban development.
A balanced approach would be best. Governments could invest in sustainable farming techniques and technologies in rural areas while also improving essential services in cities. This way, both rural and urban areas can develop together, reducing the gap between them.
In conclusion, while both views have merit, I believe that investing in sustainable agriculture should be the main focus, with some attention also given to urban development. This balanced strategy can lead to overall national progress and a better quality of life for all citizens.
(Word count: 295)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
There are different opinions about where governments should spend money. Some people think it’s better to invest in farming in rural areas, while others believe improving cities is more important. I will discuss both ideas and give my own opinion.
Firstly, investing in farming in rural areas can be good. It can help farmers grow more food, which is important for the country. Also, it can give jobs to people in villages and make their lives better. For example, if the government helps farmers buy new machines, they can produce more crops.
On the other hand, improving facilities in cities is also necessary. Many people live in cities, so they need good services. Better roads, hospitals, and schools in cities can make life easier for people. It can also attract companies to the city, which can create more jobs. For instance, if a city has a good transportation system, more businesses might want to open there.
In my opinion, I think both areas are important, but farming should get more attention. Food is very important for everyone, so we need to make sure we can produce enough. Also, many people in rural areas are poor, so helping them with farming can improve their lives.
However, I don’t think we should forget about cities. The government should try to improve both rural and urban areas. They could spend more money on farming but also make sure cities have basic services.
In conclusion, while both farming and city development are important, I believe focusing more on farming is better for the country. But a balanced approach that helps both rural and urban areas is the best way to make the whole country better.
(Word count: 276)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a sophisticated approach to the topic:
- Clear organization with a well-developed introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Balanced discussion of both viewpoints with relevant examples (Singapore, India’s Green Revolution)
- Strong personal opinion with well-reasoned arguments
- Advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures
- Coherent ideas with smooth transitions between paragraphs
- Addresses all parts of the task fully
Band 6-7 Essay:
This essay shows good writing skills but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay:
- Clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Discusses both viewpoints with some examples, but less detailed than the Band 8-9 essay
- Presents a personal opinion with some supporting ideas
- Good vocabulary with some attempt at more complex structures
- Generally coherent with some linking between ideas
- Addresses all parts of the task
Band 5-6 Essay:
This essay demonstrates basic writing skills but has several limitations:
- Simple organization with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Discusses both viewpoints but with limited development and few specific examples
- Presents a personal opinion but with limited explanation
- Simple vocabulary and sentence structures
- Basic coherence but with some repetition and lack of sophisticated linking
- Addresses the main parts of the task but with less depth
Sustainable farming practices in action
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Sustainable agriculture (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbəl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/ – Farming practices that protect the environment while producing food
- Food security (noun) – /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/ – The state of having reliable access to sufficient, affordable, nutritious food
- Rural-urban migration (noun) – /ˈrʊərəl ˈɜːbən maɪˈɡreɪʃən/ – The movement of people from rural areas to cities
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – The basic physical systems of a country or region
- Biodiversity (noun) – /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat
- Irrigation systems (noun) – /ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃən ˈsɪstəmz/ – Methods of supplying water to crops or land
- Economic opportunities (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌɒpəˈtjuːnətiz/ – Chances for financial gain or improvement
- Urban development (noun) – /ˈɜːbən dɪˈveləpmənt/ – The growth and improvement of city areas
- Holistic approach (noun) – /həˈlɪstɪk əˈprəʊtʃ/ – A method that considers all parts of a situation together
- Resource management (noun) – /rɪˈsɔːs ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ – The efficient use of a company’s or country’s resources
In conclusion, the topic of sustainable agriculture and government investment in rural areas is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The impact of climate change on agriculture
- The role of technology in sustainable farming
- Balancing urban and rural development in developing countries
- The importance of biodiversity in agricultural systems
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use relevant examples, and demonstrate a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Feel free to practice writing an essay on the given topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.