Plan this problem and solution essay about food with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Fewer and fewer young people want to work as farmers, which may cause food shortages in the future.
What are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Fewer young people want careers in agriculture, which could threaten food supplies in the future. This essay will explore the reasons behind this change and suggest some solutions.
The main cause is that farming is physically demanding and poorly paid. Long hours, unpredictable weather and unstable prices mean that income is uncertain, and young people see their parents working hard for modest rewards. Cities appear far more attractive, offering higher salaries, modern lifestyles and entertainment, so many young villagers move away for work or education. Another obstacle is land. In many countries, farmland is owned by older family members or is very expensive, so young people who want to start farming cannot get access to it.
There are several ways to address the problem. Governments can offer subsidies, low-interest loans and help with buying land for young farmers, as the European Union does through its support schemes. Training is also valuable; agricultural colleges and apprenticeships can teach modern methods and business skills. Modern technology can make the job less strenuous and more profitable. Machinery, drones, sensors and apps can reduce physical labour and increase yields, and many young people are interested in using such tools. At the same time, better pay, for example through guaranteed minimum prices for crops, would make farming a more secure career. Finally, campaigns and school visits to farms could change attitudes by presenting agriculture as an innovative profession that is essential for society, rather than a last choice.
In conclusion, young people avoid farming because of low incomes, hard work, the attraction of cities and lack of land. Financial support, technology and a more positive image of the profession can encourage them to stay and protect future food supplies.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| agricultural sector | part of the economy involving farming |
| rural youth | young people in the countryside |
| labour-intensive | needing much work |
| food supply | amount of food available |
| farming subsidies | state payments to farmers |
| agritech | technology for farming |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.