Public health campaigns have been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 over the years. Based on the analysis of past exams and current trends, it’s highly likely that this topic will continue to appear in future tests. The frequency of questions related to public health initiatives has increased, especially in light of recent global health challenges. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that public health campaigns which try to stop people from smoking or persuade them to eat a healthy diet are an effective way of solving health problems in society. Others believe that these campaigns are not effective and that other measures are needed. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the effectiveness of public health campaigns in addressing smoking and diet-related health issues.
- Explore alternative measures that might be more effective.
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter.
The essay should be balanced, discussing both viewpoints before concluding with a well-supported personal stance.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Public health campaigns have long been a cornerstone of governments’ efforts to improve societal well-being. While some argue that these initiatives are crucial in combating health issues like smoking and poor dietary habits, others contend that they fall short and alternative approaches are necessary. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering a personal viewpoint.
Proponents of public health campaigns argue that these initiatives play a vital role in educating the populace and fostering healthier lifestyles. By raising awareness about the dangers of smoking and the benefits of a balanced diet, these campaigns can influence individual choices and gradually shift societal norms. For instance, anti-smoking campaigns in many countries have contributed to a significant reduction in smoking rates over the past few decades. Similarly, dietary education programs have helped increase public understanding of nutrition, leading to more informed food choices.
On the other hand, critics argue that public health campaigns alone are insufficient to address complex health issues. They contend that these initiatives often fail to reach or resonate with certain demographic groups, particularly those most at risk. Furthermore, the effectiveness of such campaigns can be undermined by powerful marketing from industries promoting unhealthy products. These skeptics advocate for more direct interventions, such as legislation to restrict harmful substances, increased taxation on unhealthy products, and improved access to healthcare services.
In my opinion, while public health campaigns are an essential component of a comprehensive health strategy, they should not be relied upon as the sole solution. A multifaceted approach that combines educational initiatives with policy changes and structural improvements in healthcare systems is likely to yield the most significant results. For example, combining anti-smoking campaigns with increased cigarette taxes and expanded access to smoking cessation programs has proven highly effective in many countries.
In conclusion, public health campaigns play a crucial role in addressing health issues, but their effectiveness can be enhanced when integrated with other measures. By adopting a holistic approach that leverages the strengths of various strategies, societies can more effectively tackle pressing health challenges and promote overall well-being.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Public health campaigns are often used to try to improve people’s health. Some think these are good for solving health problems, while others say they don’t work well and we need different ways. I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
People who like public health campaigns say they help teach people about health. When people learn about why smoking is bad or why eating healthy food is good, they might change what they do. For example, many countries have done campaigns to stop smoking, and now fewer people smoke than before. Also, when people learn about good food, they might eat better.
However, some people think these campaigns are not enough. They say that not everyone pays attention to the campaigns, especially people who might need help the most. Also, there are many advertisements for unhealthy things like junk food that can make people ignore the health messages. These people think we need stricter rules, like making unhealthy things more expensive or giving people better healthcare.
I think that public health campaigns are important, but we need to do more than just these campaigns. It’s better to use many different ways together to help people be healthier. For example, we could have campaigns about not smoking, but also make cigarettes more expensive and help people who want to stop smoking.
To conclude, public health campaigns can help with health problems, but they work best when used with other methods. If we use many different ways to help people be healthy, we can solve health problems better.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Some people think public health campaigns are good for solving health problems in society. Other people think they are not effective and we need other measures. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Public health campaigns can be good because they teach people about health. When people know smoking is bad, they might stop smoking. When they learn about healthy food, they might eat better. This can help make society healthier.
But some people say these campaigns don’t work well. Not everyone listens to the campaigns. Some people still smoke and eat unhealthy food even after seeing the campaigns. These people think we need other ways to help, like making laws or giving better healthcare.
In my opinion, public health campaigns are important but not enough alone. We need to use campaigns and other methods together. This can help more people be healthy.
In conclusion, public health campaigns can help with health problems, but we should use them with other methods too. This way, we can help more people in society be healthy.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response. Presents a clear position throughout.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Skillfully manages paragraphing. Uses a wide range of cohesive devices effectively.
- Lexical Resource: Uses a wide range of vocabulary naturally and precisely. Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Arranges information coherently and there is clear overall progression. Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical.
- Lexical Resource: Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. May make some errors in word choice, but this does not impede communication.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication.
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses the task only partially. The format may be inappropriate in places.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Presents information with some organisation but there may be a lack of overall progression. Makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Uses a limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task. May make noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation that may cause some difficulty for the reader.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses only a limited range of structures. Attempts complex sentences but these tend to be less accurate than simple sentences. May make frequent grammatical errors and punctuation may be faulty.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
-
Public health campaign (noun) – /ˌpʌblɪk ˈhelθ kæmˌpeɪn/ – An organized effort to improve the health of a community or population.
-
Effectiveness (noun) – /ɪˈfektɪvnəs/ – The degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result.
-
Intervention (noun) – /ˌɪntərˈvenʃən/ – The action or process of intervening, especially in politics or social matters.
-
Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ – Having many different aspects or features.
-
Holistic (adjective) – /hoʊˈlɪstɪk/ – Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole.
-
Legislation (noun) – /ˌledʒɪsˈleɪʃən/ – Laws, considered collectively.
-
Cessation (noun) – /seˈseɪʃən/ – The fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.
-
Resonant (adjective) – /ˈrezənənt/ – Evoking or suggesting images, memories, and emotions.
-
Initiative (noun) – /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ – An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation.
-
Comprehensive (adjective) – /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhensɪv/ – Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.
In conclusion, public health campaigns remain a significant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. As you prepare for your exam, consider practicing with similar prompts, such as:
-
“Do you think governments should focus more on public health campaigns or on improving healthcare facilities? Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
-
“Some people believe that public health campaigns should focus primarily on children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
-
“How effective are public health campaigns in addressing mental health issues in society? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such campaigns.”
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammar structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Feel free to practice writing an essay on the topic discussed in this article and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills.