Plan this discussion essay about environment 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:
Some people believe that large-scale intensive farming is necessary to feed a growing population. Others argue that organic and small-scale farming is better for the planet.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
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
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Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Opinions differ on how the world should produce its food. Some people believe that large-scale intensive farming is necessary to feed a growing population, while others argue that organic and small-scale farming is better for the planet. I will discuss both views and give my own opinion.
Supporters of intensive agriculture point out that it produces high yields from limited land. Fertilisers, pesticides, machinery and improved seeds allow farmers to harvest much more per hectare than traditional methods, and this has kept food cheap and prevented famine in many countries since the mid-twentieth century. With the global population expected to exceed nine billion, they argue that switching to lower-yield organic methods would require converting more forests and grasslands into farmland, which would damage ecosystems further.
Advocates of organic and small-scale farming reply that intensive methods carry heavy environmental costs. Chemical fertilisers pollute rivers and create dead zones in the sea, pesticides harm bees and other wildlife, and monoculture exhausts the soil and reduces biodiversity. Organic farms use crop rotation and natural fertilisers that protect soil health, and they often use less energy. Small farms also support rural communities and produce more varied and fresher food for local markets. Some consumers prefer organic produce because they believe it is healthier, although the evidence for this is limited.
In my opinion, neither system alone is the answer. Intensive farming will remain necessary to ensure enough food, but it must become much more sustainable by reducing chemical use, protecting soil and wildlife and using technology such as precision irrigation. Organic and small-scale methods should be encouraged where they work well, and consumers can help by wasting less food.
In conclusion, a combination of efficient but environmentally responsible large-scale farming and well-supported organic farming is the best way to feed the world without harming the planet.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| intensive farming | producing as much as possible from land |
| organic produce | food grown without artificial chemicals |
| pesticides | chemicals that kill pests |
| soil erosion | loss of topsoil |
| food supply | amount of food available |
| smallholder | small-scale farmer |
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