Universal Basic Income (UBI) has become an increasingly popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. As a solution to various socio-economic issues, UBI has gained traction in public discourse, making it a recurring theme in IELTS examinations. Based on recent trends and the frequency of appearance in past exams, we can expect this topic to continue being relevant in future IELTS tests. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze how to approach it effectively.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Universal Basic Income

Analyzing the Question

Some people believe that governments should provide a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to all citizens as a solution to unemployment and poverty. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

This question asks for your opinion on the implementation of Universal Basic Income as a potential solution to unemployment and poverty. It’s crucial to understand the key elements:

1. The main topic is Universal Basic Income (UBI)
2. The context is its use as a solution to unemployment and poverty
3. You need to express your level of agreement or disagreement
4. You should provide reasons and examples to support your stance

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

In recent years, the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI) has gained significant attention as a potential solution to the persistent issues of unemployment and poverty. While I acknowledge the good intentions behind this proposal, I partially disagree with the view that UBI should be provided to all citizens as a blanket solution to these complex socio-economic problems.

Undoubtedly, UBI could offer several benefits in addressing unemployment and poverty. Firstly, it would provide a financial safety net for individuals, reducing the stress and anxiety associated with job insecurity. This could lead to improved mental health outcomes and potentially foster innovation and entrepreneurship, as people might feel more confident taking risks in their careers. Secondly, a guaranteed income could help alleviate extreme poverty, ensuring that all citizens have access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. This, in turn, could contribute to a more stable and equitable society.

However, implementing UBI as a universal solution presents significant challenges and potential drawbacks. The primary concern is the enormous cost of such a program, which would likely require substantial tax increases or reallocation of funds from other essential services. This financial burden could potentially slow economic growth and discourage work, as some individuals might choose to rely solely on the basic income rather than seeking employment. Additionally, a one-size-fits-all approach may not adequately address the diverse needs of different communities and individuals, potentially overlooking more targeted and effective solutions.

Instead of a universal basic income, I believe a more nuanced approach would be more effective in tackling unemployment and poverty. This could involve a combination of targeted welfare programs, job training initiatives, and investments in education and healthcare. By focusing resources on those most in need and providing skills-based support, governments can address the root causes of unemployment and poverty more efficiently. Furthermore, promoting economic policies that encourage job creation and fair wages would contribute to a more sustainable solution.

In conclusion, while Universal Basic Income offers some potential benefits in addressing unemployment and poverty, I partially disagree with its implementation as a universal solution. A more targeted and multifaceted approach, combining various social and economic policies, would likely be more effective in tackling these complex issues while promoting long-term economic stability and growth.

(Word count: 366)

Explanation of Band 8-9 Score

This essay demonstrates several key features that contribute to a high band score:

1. Coherent structure: The essay follows a clear four-paragraph structure with a strong introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

2. Clear position: The writer’s stance is clearly stated in the introduction and consistently maintained throughout the essay.

3. Well-developed arguments: Each point is thoroughly explained and supported with relevant examples and reasoning.

4. Balanced view: The essay acknowledges both the potential benefits and drawbacks of UBI, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic.

5. Advanced vocabulary: The writer uses a range of sophisticated vocabulary accurately (e.g., “persistent issues,” “blanket solution,” “foster innovation,” “nuanced approach”).

6. Complex sentence structures: The essay includes a variety of complex sentences, showcasing advanced grammar usage.

7. Cohesive devices: Appropriate linking words and phrases are used to connect ideas smoothly (e.g., “Undoubtedly,” “However,” “Instead of,” “Furthermore”).

8. Task response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, providing a comprehensive answer with a clear personal opinion.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The idea of Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a solution to unemployment and poverty has become popular recently. While I think it could help some people, I don’t fully agree that governments should give UBI to everyone.

On one hand, UBI could be helpful in some ways. It would give people a regular income, which could reduce stress about money and help them meet their basic needs. This might be especially good for people who are unemployed or have low-paying jobs. Also, with a basic income, some people might feel more confident to start their own businesses or try new careers.

However, there are some problems with giving UBI to everyone. The biggest issue is that it would cost a lot of money, and governments might have to raise taxes or cut other important services to pay for it. Another problem is that some people might stop working if they receive UBI, which could be bad for the economy. Also, giving the same amount to everyone might not be fair because some people need more help than others.

I think there are better ways to help with unemployment and poverty. Governments could focus on creating more jobs, improving education and job training, and providing targeted help to people who really need it. These solutions might be more effective and less expensive than UBI.

In conclusion, while Universal Basic Income might have some benefits, I don’t fully agree that it should be given to all citizens. I believe that more specific and focused solutions would be better for tackling unemployment and poverty.

(Word count: 263)

Explanation of Band 6-7 Score

This essay demonstrates several features that contribute to a Band 6-7 score:

1. Clear structure: The essay has a basic four-paragraph structure with an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

2. Position stated: The writer’s opinion is clearly stated, although it could be more strongly emphasized.

3. Relevant ideas: The essay presents relevant points both for and against UBI, showing a good understanding of the topic.

4. Basic vocabulary: The vocabulary used is generally appropriate, but lacks the sophistication of higher band scores.

5. Simple sentence structures: While the essay uses some complex sentences, it relies more heavily on simpler structures.

6. Basic cohesive devices: The essay uses some linking words and phrases, but they are less varied than in higher band essays.

7. Task response: The essay addresses the main parts of the question, but the ideas could be more fully developed.

8. Limited range of grammatical structures: The essay uses a narrower range of grammatical structures compared to higher band essays.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Universal Basic Income (UBI) (noun) – /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl ˈbeɪsɪk ˈɪnkʌm/ – A government program in which every adult citizen receives a set amount of money regularly

2. Socio-economic (adjective) – /ˌsəʊsiəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ – Related to social and economic factors

3. Alleviate (verb) – /əˈliːvieɪt/ – To make something less severe

4. Entrepreneurship (noun) – /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːʃɪp/ – The activity of setting up businesses and taking on financial risks

5. Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle differences or distinctions

6. Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/ – Having many different aspects or features

7. Implement (verb) – /ˈɪmplɪment/ – To put a plan or system into effect

8. Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level

9. Reallocation (noun) – /ˌriːæləˈkeɪʃn/ – The action of allocating something again or in a different way

10. Blanket solution (noun phrase) – /ˈblæŋkɪt səˈluːʃn/ – A solution applied to all situations without considering individual circumstances

Conclusion

The topic of Universal Basic Income as a solution to unemployment and poverty is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

1. The role of government in providing social welfare
2. Economic inequality and potential solutions
3. The impact of automation on employment and potential policy responses
4. Balancing economic growth with social protection

Remember to structure your essays clearly, develop your arguments with relevant examples, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score. Feel free to practice writing an essay on the given topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.