This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of the pros and cons of importing foods from the real IELTS exam.
Please consider supporting my efforts to creative high quality IELTS materials for students around the world by signing up for my Patreon (and don’t miss any of my exclusive IELTS Ebooks)!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Imported Foods
Some countries import a large amount of food from other parts of the world.
To what extent is this a postive or negative trend?
Nations are increasingly importing food products and relying less on domestic supplies. In my opinion, though this has narrow economic drawbacks, it is a net positive.
The negative aspects of increased imports relate to domestic agriculture. In the United States, for example, there are trade agreements with a variety of countries enabling customers to purchase foreign products that cannot be locally grown, are only available seasonally or are prohibitively expensive. Any local farmers who rely on higher prices for specialised crops or expect a surge in sales when the seasons change, must now account for the global nature of agriculture. If they are not in a position to begin exporting to other countries themselves, there is a strong likelihood they will suffer a serious decline in their living standards and may have to consider the possibility of new employment.
However, the cases above are often mitigated with government subsidies and the benefits of imports for the average shopper are substantial. In the past, customers resigned themselves to a limited range of local produce, restricted by both geography and the seasons. Nowadays, imports make it possible to eat exotic fruits and vegetables that cannot be grown in one’s own country. Aside from the luxuries now available, there are also more utilitarian benefits. Countries with large populations and limited arable land, such as in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, can make deals that leverage their more abundant natural resources. The tangible result is that previously malnourished residents now have greater access to nutritious foods, which in turn raises both life expectancy and quality of life.
In conclusion, the limited economic collateral of a thriving import and export agricultural market do not outweigh the advantages gained for both affluent and underprivileged segments of a population.
Analysis
1. Nations are increasingly importing food products and relying less on domestic supplies. 2. In my opinion, though this has narrow economic drawbacks, it is a net positive.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. The negative aspects of increased imports relate to domestic agriculture. 2. In the United States, for example, there are trade agreements with a variety of countries enabling customers to purchase foreign products that cannot be locally grown, are only available seasonally or are prohibitively expensive. 3. Any local farmers who rely on higher prices for specialised crops or expect a surge in sales when the seasons change, must now account for the global nature of agriculture. 4. If they are not in a position to begin exporting to other countries themselves, there is a strong likelihood they will suffer a serious decline in their living standards and may have to consider the possibility of new employment.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific examples.
Continue to develop it fully.
1. However, the cases above are often mitigated with government subsidies and the benefits of imports for the average shopper are substantial. 2. In the past, customers resigned themselves to a limited range of local produce, restricted by both geography and the seasons. 3. Nowadays, imports make it possible to eat exotic fruits and vegetables that cannot be grown in one’s own country. 4. Aside from the luxuries now available, there are also more utilitarian benefits. 5. Countries with large populations and limited arable land, such as in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, can make deals that leverage their more abundant natural resources. 6. The tangible result is that previously malnourished residents now have greater access to nutritious foods, which in turn raises both life expectancy and quality of life.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
The more specific, the better.
Keep adding more specific and examples.
And develop them fully.
1. In conclusion, the limited economic collateral of a thriving import and export agricultural market do not outweigh the advantages gained for both affluent and underprivileged segments of a population.
Summarise your main ideas.Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Nations are increasingly importing food products and relying less on domestic supplies. In my opinion, though this has narrow economic drawbacks, it is a net positive.
The negative aspects of increased imports relate to domestic agriculture. In the United States, for example, there are trade agreements with a variety of countriesenabling customers to purchase foreign products that cannot be locally grown, are only available seasonally or are prohibitively expensive. Any local farmers who rely on higher prices for specialised crops or expect a surge in sales when the seasons change, must now account for the global nature of agriculture. If they are not in a position to begin exporting to other countries themselves, there is a strong likelihood they will suffer a serious decline in their living standards and may have to consider the possibility of new employment.
However, the cases above are often mitigated with government subsidies and the benefits of imports for the average shopper are substantial. In the past, customers resigned themselves to a limited range of local produce, restricted by both geography and the seasons. Nowadays, imports make it possible to eat exotic fruits and vegetables that cannot be grown in one’s own country. Aside from the luxuries now available, there are also more utilitarian benefits. Countries with large populations and limited arable land, such as in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, can make deals that leverage their more abundant natural resources. The tangible result is that previously malnourished residents now have greater access to nutritious foods, which in turn raises both life expectancy and quality of life.
In conclusion, the limited economic collateral of a thriving import and export agricultural market do not outweigh the advantages gained for both affluent and underprivileged segments of a population.
Answers
increasingly importing bring in more products from other countries
relying less not need as much
domestic supplies what is made in your country
narrow economic drawbacks small disadvantages for the economy
net positive overall good
negative aspects disadvantages
relate to concern
domestic agriculture farms in your country
trade agreements deal between countries
a variety of countries many nations
enabling allowing for
purchase buy
locally grown grown in your country
only available seasonally can only be bought sometimes
prohibitively expensive too much
rely on need
specialised crops rare, specific foods
surge increase a lot
now account for consider now
global nature all countries involved
not in a position can’t
strong likelihood good chance
suffer a serious decline decrease a lot
living standards how you are living
consider the possibility think about the chance
mitigated weakened
government subsidies government support/money
average shopper normal consumer
substantial a lot
resigned themselves given up and now happy with
limited range not many types
local produce grown in nearby farms
restricted by limited by
geography land, terrain
eat exotic fruits eat rare fruits
aside from besides
luxuries not necessary
utilitarian benefits real impact
limited arable land not much farming land
Sub-Saharan Africa countries in and below the Sahara desert
make deals sign constracts
leverage exploit
abundant natural resources lots of resources
tangible result real effect
previously malnourished residents starving before
greater access more ability to get
nutritious healthy
in turn then
life expectancy longevity
quality of life standards of living
limited economic collateral just hurts a bit
thriving doing well
outweigh stronger than
affluent rich
underprivileged segments of a population poorer residents
Nations are i______________________g food products and r______________s on d_____________________s. In my opinion, though this has n____________________________s, it is a n______________e.
The n____________________s of increased imports r_______________o d______________________e. In the United States, for example, there are t___________________s with a__________________________se_____________g customers to p_______________e foreign products that cannot be l__________________n, are o______________________________y or are p________________________e. Any local farmers who r_______n higher prices for s__________________________s or expect a s____e in sales when the seasons change, must n___________________r the g____________e of agriculture. If they are n__________________________n to begin exporting to other countries themselves, there is a s___________________d they will s______________________e in their l_______________________s and may have to c_________________________________y of new employment.
However, the cases above are often m______________d with g_______________________s and the benefits of imports for the a____________________r are s____________l. In the past, customers r______________________s to a l_______________e of l___________________e, r__________________y both g______________y and the seasons. Nowadays, imports make it possible to e____________________s and vegetables that cannot be grown in one’s own country. A_________m the l________s now available, there are also more u____________________________s. Countries with large populations and l_________________d, such as in S_______________________a and the Middle East, can m_________s that l__________e their more a_____________________________s. The t_______________t is that p________________________________________s now have g_________________s to n___________s foods, which i_______n raises both l______________________y and q__________________e.
In conclusion, the l________________________________l of a t________g import and export agricultural market do not o________h the advantages gained for both a_________t and u__________________________________________n.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or not crime prevention should receive more attention from the real IELTS exam.
A really interesting topic!
Please consider supporting my efforts to creative high quality IELTS materials for students around the world by signing up for my Patreon (and don’t miss any of my exclusive IELTS Ebooks)!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Crime Prevention
Some believe that more action should be taken to prevent crime, while others feel that crime is being tackled effectively now.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Though crime rates have fallen to historic lows in most nations, there are many who feel further action is still required. In my opinion, there should always be criminal prevention efforts, however, on level, crime is being opposed adequately.
Those who believe crime requires greater prioritisation identify its effects, particularly in underserved segments of a population. Crime is still pervasive in areas rife with poverty, such as in neglected neighborhoods in inner cities. An illustrative example of this would be the infamous favelas of Brazil. Residents in these communities must remain constantly vigilant for muggings and robberies and there is a high likelihood that in their lifetime they will come into contact with criminal elements. The causes of such crime-ridden slums are complex but the results for millions of individuals in cities around the world deserve meaningful countermeasures.
Nonetheless, criminal activity already receives sufficient funding as evidenced by its decline. Crime is best tackled through a combination of economic, educational, and criminal justice reform and as developing countries become wealthier, there is a concomitant effect on crime. Criminality is therefore being addressed and it would be unrealistic to expect a world without crime given the realities of human nature. Instead of diverting more money towards an area on the mend already, governments can continue to also fund schools, hospitals, state universities, defense, infrastructure and a host of other areas that may themselves indirectly contribute to eradicating crime.
In conclusion, though crime impacts the daily lives of many citizens, it is already being successfully curbed and there are other key areas deserving of budgetary consideration. Governments must nonetheless balance these concerns and remain vigilant towards changes in this promising pattern.
Analysis
1. Though crime rates have fallen to historic lows in most nations, there are many who feel further action is still required. 2. In my opinion, there should always be criminal prevention efforts, however, on level, crime is being opposed adequately.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who believe crime requires greater prioritisation identify its effects, particularly in underserved segments of a population. 2. Crime is still pervasive in areas rife with poverty, such as in neglected neighborhoods in inner cities. 3. An illustrative example of this would be the infamous favelas of Brazil. 4. Residents in these communities must remain constantly vigilant for muggings and robberies and there is a high likelihood that in their lifetime they will come into contact with criminal elements. 5. The causes of such crime-ridden slums are complex but the results for millions of individuals in cities around the world deserve meaningful countermeasures.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific examples.
Continue to develop it.
State the result.
1. Nonetheless, criminal activity already receives sufficient funding as evidenced by its decline. 2. Crime is best tackled through a combination of economic, educational, and criminal justice reform and as developing countries become wealthier, there is a concomitant effect on crime. 3. Criminality is therefore being addressed and it would be unrealistic to expect a world without crime given the realities of human nature. 4. Instead of diverting more money towards an area on the mend already, governments can continue to also fund schools, hospitals, state universities, defense, infrastructure and a host of other areas that may themselves indirectly contribute to eradicating crime.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
The more specific, the better.
1. In conclusion, though crime impacts the daily lives of many citizens, it is already being successfully curbed and there are other key areas deserving of budgetary consideration. 2. Governments must nonetheless balance these concerns and remain vigilant towards changes in this promising pattern.
Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Though crime rates have fallen to historic lows in most nations, there are many who feel further action is still required. In my opinion, there should always be criminal prevention efforts, however, on level, crime is being opposed adequately.
Those who believe crime requires greater prioritisationidentify its effects, particularly in underserved segments of a population. Crime is still pervasive in areas rife with poverty, such as in neglected neighborhoods in inner cities. An illustrative example of this would be the infamous favelas of Brazil. Residents in these communities must remain constantly vigilant for muggings and robberies and there is a high likelihood that in their lifetime they will come into contact with criminal elements. The causes of such crime-ridden slums are complex but the results for millions of individuals in cities around the world deserve meaningful countermeasures.
Nonetheless, criminal activity already receives sufficient funding as evidenced by its decline. Crime is best tackled through a combination of economic, educational, and criminal justice reform and as developing countries become wealthier, there is a concomitant effect on crime. Criminality is therefore being addressed and it would be unrealistic to expect a world without crime given the realities of human nature. Instead of diverting more money towards an area on the mend already, governments can continue to also fund schools, hospitals, state universities, defense, infrastructure and a host of other areas that may themselves indirectly contribute to eradicating crime.
In conclusion, though crime impacts the daily lives of many citizens, it is already being successfully curbed and there are other key areas deserving of budgetary consideration. Governments must nonetheless balance these concerns and remain vigilant towards changes in this promising pattern.
Answers
crime rates how many people commit crimes
fallen going down
historic lows lowest points in history
further action more effort
required needed
criminal prevention efforts trying to stop crime
on level overall
opposed adequately being countered well
greater prioritisationidentify need more resources focus on
underserved segments of a population poorer people
pervasive goes throughout
rife with poverty lots of poor people
neglected not payed attention to
inner cities deep in the city
illustrative example instance that shows this well
infamous favelas notorious slums of Brazil
residents people living there
remain constantly vigilant always pay attention
muggings stealing money
robberies taking things
high likelihood good chance of
lifetime whole life
come into contact with meet with
criminal elements people involved in crime
crime-ridden slums neighborhoods with a lot of crime
complex complicated
deserve meaningful countermeasures should be countered effectively
criminal activity committing crimes
sufficient funding enough money
evidenced by supported by
best tackled number 1 way to fix
combination joint
criminal justice reform changing laws related to crime
concomitant related/caused by
addressed dealt with
unrealistic not feasible
realities facts
human nature facts of how people are
diverting sending in another direction
on the mend getting better
fund give money to
defense military, etc.
infrastructure roads, buildings, etc.
host of other areas many other places
indirectly not directly
eradicating crime getting rid of crime
daily lives everyday life
citizens residents
successfully curbed adequately cut down on
key areas main parts
budgetary consideration thinking about money
nonetheless regardless
balance these concerns keep everything in perspective
Though c______________s have f__________n to h________________s in most nations, there are many who feel f_____________n is still r_____________d. In my opinion, there should always be c_________________________s, however, o_________l, crime is being o_____________________y.
Those who believe crime requires g_______________________________y its effects, particularly in u_________________________________n. Crime is still p_____________e in areas r____________________y, such as in n____________d neighborhoods in i_____________s. An i_____________________e of this would be the i___________________________s of Brazil. R__________s in these communities must r_____________________________t for m__________s and r__________s and there is a h___________________d that in their l_________e they will c___________________________________________s. The causes of such c________________________s are c____________x but the results for millions of individuals in cities around the world d_____________________________________s.
Nonetheless, c____________________y already receives s___________________g as e____________________y its decline. Crime is b_________________d through a c_______________n of economic, educational, and c________________________m and as developing countries become wealthier, there is a c______________t effect on crime. Criminality is therefore being a_______________d and it would be u______________c to expect a world without crime given the r___________s of h___________________e. Instead of d______________g more money towards an area o_________________d already, governments can continue to also f_____d schools, hospitals, state universities, d_________e, i_______________e and a h__________________s that may themselves i____________y contribute to e____________________e.
In conclusion, though crime impacts the d______________s of many c____________s, it is already being s_________________d and there are other k_____________s deserving of b____________________n. Governments must n________________________________________s and r________________t towards changes in this p____________________n.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Why do witnesses of crimes sometimes disagree in their accounts?
How can modern technology help solve crimes?
Will teaching children to be honest reduce crime in the future?
Should there be more severe penalties for crimes like libel?
How will the detection of lies change in the future?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Some people believe that there should be a fixed punishment for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment.
This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of a floorplan/map of a theatre.
Please consider supporting my efforts to creative high quality IELTS materials for students around the world by signing up for my Patreon (and so you won’t miss out on any of my exclusive IELTS Ebooks)!
Dave
IELTS Essay Task 1: Floorplan of a Theatre
The plans below show a theatre in 2010 and 2012. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.
The above floor plan delineates a theatre in 2010 and in 2012 after renovations. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there was a general expansion of facilities allowing for both more customer-oriented business and staff activity.
In 2010, the smaller theater was centred around a large auditorium (unchanged in 2012) with a large dressing room space behind it and a storage area in the top right corner. By 2012, the storage room had moved to the bottom left corner in favour of an administration office, while the dressing room was repositioned to a smaller room in a new wing of the building on the left side, which also includes a room for showers. Replacing the long dressing room is a coordination area.
Near to the entrance, there is now a large restaurant occupying previously empty space and requiring the relocation of the admin and ticket offices (the former is now to the right of the office, displacing a cafe). The main door has remained the same and there are no other alterations since 2010.
Analysis
1. The above floor plan delineates a theatre in 2010 and in 2012 after renovations. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there was a general expansion of facilities allowing for both more customer-oriented business and staff activity.
Paraphrase what the map or floorplan shows.
Write a clear overview summarising the major trends and differences.
1. In 2010, the smaller theater was centred around a large auditorium (unchanged in 2012) with a large dressing room space behind it and a storage area in the top right corner. 2. By 2012, the storage room had moved to the bottom left corner in favour of an administration office, while the dressing room was repositioned to a smaller room in a new wing of the building on the left side, which also includes a room for showers. 3. Replacing the long dressing room is a coordination area.
Begin writing about the changes.
Compare as much as possible.
Vary some long and short sentences.
1. Near to the entrance, there is now a large restaurant occupying previously empty space and requiring the relocation of the admin and ticket offices (the former is now to the right of the office, displacing a cafe). 2. The main door has remained the same and there are no other alterations since 2010.
Write about the rest of the floorplan.
Make sure you have detailed all the information, even what has not changed.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The above floor plan delineates a theatre in 2010 and in 2012 after renovations. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there was a general expansion of facilities allowing for both more customer-oriented business and staff activity.
In 2010, the smaller theater was centred around a large auditorium (unchanged in 2012) with a large dressing room space behind it and a storage area in the top right corner. By 2012, the storage room had moved to the bottom left corner in favour of an administration office, while the dressing room was repositioned to a smaller room in a new wing of the building on the left side, which also includes a room for showers. Replacing the long dressing room is a coordination area.
Near to the entrance, there is now a large restaurant occupying previously empty space and requiring the relocation of the admin and ticket offices (the former is now to the right of the office, displacing a cafe). The main door has remained the same and there are no other alterations since 2010.
Answers
floor plan blueprint
delineates shows
renovations changes
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
general expansion got bigger
facilities allowing for places where they can…
customer-oriented business services/products to sell
staff activity for people working there
centred around related to
auditorium place to watch
unchanged still the same
in the top right corner towards to top on the right side
The above f__________n d_____________s a theatre in 2010 and in 2012 after r_____________________s. L_________________________________________________t there was a g__________________n of f____________________r both more c______________________________s and s______________y.
In 2010, the smaller theater was c______________d a large a_______________m (u______________d in 2012) with a large dressing room space behind it and a storage area i_____________________________r. By 2012, the storage room had moved to the bottom left corner i_______________f an a______________________e, while the dressing room was r_________________d to a smaller room in a new w____g of the building on the left side, which also includes a room for showers. R_____________g the long dressing room is a coordination area.
N__________________________e, there is now a large restaurant o___________________________y empty space and r____________g the r_____________n of the admin and ticket offices (t___________________r is now to the right of the office, d_______________g a cafe). The main door has r______________________e and there are no other a____________s since 2010.
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:
"The highest quality materials anywhere on the internet! Dave improved my writing and vocabulary so much. Really affordable options you don't want to miss out on!"
