Universal basic income (UBI) has become an increasingly popular topic in recent years, particularly in discussions about addressing income inequality. This subject has appeared in several IELTS Writing Task 2 questions and is likely to continue being a relevant theme in future exams. To help you prepare, we’ll analyze a real IELTS question on this topic and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Let’s examine a question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that governments should provide a universal basic income to all citizens, regardless of their employment status, as a way to address income inequality. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Analyzing the Question
This question asks for your opinion on whether UBI should be implemented as a solution to income inequality. Key points to consider:
- The concept of universal basic income
- The role of government in addressing income inequality
- The potential impacts of UBI on society and the economy
- Alternative methods to address income inequality
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
In recent years, the concept of universal basic income (UBI) has gained traction as a potential solution to address the growing issue of income inequality. While proponents argue that it could provide a safety net for all citizens, I believe that implementing UBI as a blanket solution is not the most effective approach to tackle this complex problem.
Firstly, UBI could potentially discourage work and productivity, which are essential factors in driving economic growth and innovation. If everyone receives a guaranteed income regardless of their employment status, there may be a reduced incentive for individuals to seek employment or improve their skills. This could lead to a stagnation of the workforce and, ironically, exacerbate income inequality in the long run.
Moreover, implementing UBI would require substantial financial resources from governments, which could strain national budgets and potentially lead to increased taxation or reallocation of funds from other crucial areas such as education, healthcare, or infrastructure development. These sectors play a vital role in providing opportunities for social mobility and reducing inequality in their own right.
Instead of UBI, I believe governments should focus on targeted approaches to address income inequality. This could include investing in education and vocational training programs to equip individuals with the skills needed in the modern job market, thus increasing their earning potential. Additionally, implementing progressive taxation systems and strengthening social safety nets for the most vulnerable members of society could help redistribute wealth more effectively without the potential drawbacks of a universal system.
Furthermore, governments could encourage corporate responsibility by incentivizing companies to provide fair wages and benefits to their employees. This approach would address income inequality at its source by ensuring that workers receive a larger share of the wealth they help generate.
In conclusion, while universal basic income may seem like an attractive solution to income inequality, I believe it is not the most effective or sustainable approach. Instead, a multifaceted strategy that combines targeted support, education, and corporate responsibility would be more successful in addressing the root causes of income inequality and fostering a more equitable society.
How to reduce income inequality in developed nations provides additional insights into effective strategies for tackling this issue.
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
The idea of universal basic income (UBI) as a solution to income inequality is becoming more popular these days. While it has some potential benefits, I partially agree with this approach but also have some concerns about its effectiveness.
On the positive side, UBI could provide a safety net for all citizens, ensuring that everyone has access to basic necessities regardless of their employment status. This could help reduce poverty and provide financial security for those who are struggling. It might also give people more freedom to pursue education or start businesses without the fear of losing their basic income.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. Firstly, implementing UBI would be very expensive for governments, and it’s not clear where the money would come from. It might require higher taxes or cuts to other important programs. Additionally, there’s a risk that UBI could discourage some people from working, which could have negative effects on the economy and productivity.
I believe that while UBI might help address some aspects of income inequality, it’s not a complete solution. Governments should also focus on other strategies such as improving education and job training programs to help people increase their earning potential. They could also consider policies like progressive taxation and stronger regulations on businesses to ensure fair wages.
In conclusion, while UBI has some potential benefits for addressing income inequality, I think it should be considered as part of a broader approach rather than a standalone solution. Governments need to carefully weigh the pros and cons and implement a range of policies to create a more equitable society.
Universal basic income benefits offers more detailed information on the potential advantages of UBI programs.
Band 5-6 Sample Essay
Universal basic income is a new idea that some people think can help with income inequality. I think it has good and bad points, so I partly agree with this idea.
The good thing about UBI is that it can help poor people. If everyone gets money from the government, it can make sure no one is very poor. This might make society more fair and give people more chances to do things they want.
But there are also problems with UBI. It would cost the government a lot of money, and we don’t know where this money would come from. Maybe taxes would go up, which could be bad for some people. Also, if everyone gets free money, some people might not want to work anymore.
I think there are other ways to help with income inequality too. The government could make better schools and training to help people get good jobs. They could also make rules to make sure companies pay fair wages to workers.
In conclusion, I think UBI could help with some problems, but it’s not perfect. The government should think about many different ways to make society more equal, not just UBI.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic
- Presents a clear position with well-developed arguments
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures
- Organizes ideas coherently with clear progression throughout
- Addresses all parts of the task with relevant, extended examples
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Shows a good understanding of the issue
- Presents a clear overall position
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary and mix of simple and complex sentences
- Organizes information logically with some clear progression
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects may be more fully covered than others
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task, though some aspects are not fully developed
- Expresses a position, but the development may be limited
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary and simple sentence structures
- Has some organization but may lack overall progression
- Presents relevant ideas but they may lack focus and clarity
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Universal basic income (UBI) (noun) – /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl ˈbeɪsɪk ˈɪnkʌm/ – A government program providing regular payments to all citizens
- Income inequality (noun) – /ˈɪnkʌm ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ – The uneven distribution of income within a population
- Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – To make a problem or situation worse
- Progressive taxation (noun) – /prəˈɡresɪv tækˈseɪʃn/ – A tax system where higher earners pay a higher percentage in taxes
- Social mobility (noun) – /ˈsəʊʃl məˈbɪləti/ – The ability to move between different levels in society
- Corporate responsibility (noun) – /ˈkɔːpərət rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – The idea that businesses should act ethically and benefit society
- Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ – Having many different aspects or features
- Incentivize (verb) – /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – To motivate or encourage someone to do something
- Stagnation (noun) – /stæɡˈneɪʃn/ – A state of little or no growth or activity
- Redistribution (noun) – /ˌriːdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃn/ – The transfer of income or wealth from some individuals to others through social mechanisms
In conclusion, the topic of universal basic income and its potential to address income inequality is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of government in reducing economic disparities
- Alternative solutions to income inequality
- The impact of automation on employment and income distribution
- The balance between social welfare and economic growth
Remember to analyze the question carefully, plan your essay structure, and use a range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures appropriate to your target band score. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!