According to recent IELTS exam statistics, topics related to global health crises and pandemic management have appeared frequently in Writing Task 2 questions, particularly since 2020. This trend is likely to continue given the ongoing global health challenges and their significant societal impact. Let’s examine one common question type on this topic and analyze sample responses across different band scores.
Some people believe that governments and international organizations should focus primarily on preventing future pandemics rather than dealing with current health crises. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Essay Analysis
This question requires candidates to evaluate the balance between prevention and response in pandemic management. The task involves:
- Discussing the merits of preventive measures versus immediate crisis response
- Supporting arguments with relevant examples
- Maintaining a clear position throughout the essay
- Providing a balanced conclusion
For deeper understanding of this topic, you may want to explore the role of international organizations in global health crises.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
The debate between prioritizing pandemic prevention versus managing current health emergencies is complex and multifaceted. While both approaches are crucial, I partially agree that prevention should be the primary focus, though not at the expense of addressing ongoing health challenges.
Preventive measures offer several compelling advantages. Firstly, investing in robust early warning systems and research infrastructure can help identify potential threats before they become catastrophic. For instance, the global surveillance networks established after the SARS outbreak enabled faster detection of subsequent viral threats. Additionally, strengthening healthcare systems and implementing preparedness protocols is more cost-effective than managing full-blown crises.
However, completely prioritizing prevention over current crisis management would be shortsighted. When examining how climate change affects global economic stability, we see that immediate challenges require immediate solutions. Active health emergencies demand substantial resources and immediate attention to prevent loss of life and economic disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how crucial rapid response capabilities are in containing disease spread and maintaining essential services.
The optimal approach involves maintaining a balanced strategy that incorporates both preventive measures and crisis response capabilities. Governments and international bodies should allocate resources proportionally, ensuring sufficient funding for both research and emergency response infrastructure. This balanced approach would create a more resilient global health system capable of both preventing future threats and managing current challenges effectively.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
In today’s world, governments and international organizations face difficult choices about how to handle health problems. Some people think they should focus more on stopping future pandemics than dealing with current health problems. I agree with this idea to some extent.
There are good reasons to focus on prevention. When we prevent pandemics, we save more money and lives. For example, if countries had better prevention systems before COVID-19, maybe the impact would have been less serious. Also, prevention helps protect the economy because businesses don’t have to close.
However, we cannot ignore current health problems. Many people are sick now and need help. If we only think about the future, these people will suffer more. Also, current health problems can become bigger if we don’t solve them quickly. For more insights on this aspect, consider reading about mental health support during pandemics.
I think the best solution is to do both things. Governments should spend money on prevention and current problems. They can learn from current problems to prevent future ones. This way, they can help people now and make a better future.
Key Vocabulary
- Multifaceted (adj.) /ˌmʌl.tiˈfeɪ.sɪ.tɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- Catastrophic (adj.) /ˌkæt.əˈstrɒf.ɪk/ – causing sudden and great damage or suffering
- Infrastructure (n.) /ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃər/ – basic systems and services necessary for operation
- Proportionally (adv.) /prəˈpɔːʃənəli/ – in a way that corresponds in size or amount
- Resilient (adj.) /rɪˈzɪl.jənt/ – able to recover quickly from difficulties
High-scoring Sentence Structures
- Complex Conditional: “Had preventive measures been implemented earlier, the impact of the pandemic might have been significantly reduced.”
- Parallel Structure: “This approach not only ensures immediate response capabilities but also strengthens long-term preparedness.”
- Concession Statement: “While prevention is crucial, it should not come at the expense of addressing current health emergencies.”
You are encouraged to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. Consider exploring the role of global organizations in managing pandemics for additional insights to enhance your response.