Natural disasters and emergency preparedness have become increasingly important topics in IELTS Writing Task 2, particularly as impact of natural disasters on community resilience continues to be a global concern. Based on analysis of past exam patterns, questions about disaster preparedness appear approximately every 4-5 months, making it a high-priority topic for IELTS candidates.
The importance of disaster preparedness plans in building community resilience
Understanding the Question Type
Let’s examine a frequently appearing question type:
Some people believe that governments should invest heavily in disaster preparedness plans, while others think there are more important priorities for public spending. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Question Analysis
- Topic: Government spending on disaster preparedness
- Task: Discussion + Opinion
- Key elements: Balance between disaster preparedness and other priorities
- Scope: Public spending allocation
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The allocation of government resources between disaster preparedness and other public priorities has become a contentious issue, particularly as importance of disaster preparedness in schools gains increasing attention. While both perspectives have merit, I believe substantial investment in disaster readiness is crucial for long-term societal security.
Those who advocate for prioritizing other areas of public spending often argue that immediate social needs deserve more attention. They contend that daily challenges like healthcare, education, and infrastructure development have more tangible benefits for citizens. Furthermore, in regions with limited disaster risk, extensive preparation might seem like an inefficient use of resources.
However, the arguments for robust disaster preparedness are compelling. Firstly, role of international aid in disaster recovery demonstrates that countries with established emergency protocols recover more quickly and effectively. Natural disasters can devastate economies and communities within hours, making preventive measures crucial for national security. Additionally, well-implemented preparedness plans often have spillover benefits, improving infrastructure and emergency services that serve multiple purposes.
In my opinion, governments should prioritize disaster preparedness while maintaining balanced investment across other sectors. The cost of recovery typically far exceeds prevention expenses, making preparedness a sound economic decision. Moreover, as climate change increases disaster frequency, preparation becomes increasingly vital for national resilience.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
These days, many people discuss whether governments should spend money on disaster preparation or focus on other important things. This essay will look at both sides and share my thoughts.
Some people think governments should focus on other priorities. They say that everyday problems like hospitals, schools, and roads need more money. Also, some countries don’t have many natural disasters, so they think it’s better to use money for things that help people right now.
However, other people believe disaster preparation is very important. When disasters happen, countries with good plans can help people faster and better. How technological innovation can prevent natural disasters shows that preparation can save many lives. Also, having good emergency plans helps with other problems too, like helping sick people get to hospitals faster.
I think governments should spend money on both things, but disaster preparation is very important. It costs more money to fix problems after disasters than to prepare for them. Also, because of climate change, we might see more disasters in the future.
Key Vocabulary
- contentious (adj.) /kənˈtenʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause disagreement
- spillover (n.) /ˈspɪləʊvə/ – secondary effects
- protocols (n.) /ˈprəʊtəkɒlz/ – official procedures
- devastate (v.) /ˈdevəsteɪt/ – destroy or ruin
- resilience (n.) /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – ability to recover quickly
Comparative Analysis
-
Band 8-9 essay demonstrates:
- Sophisticated vocabulary
- Complex sentence structures
- Clear argument progression
- Nuanced discussion
-
Band 6-7 essay shows:
- Basic but clear ideas
- Simpler vocabulary
- More straightforward structure
- Less developed arguments
For additional practice, consider writing about The role of technology in preventing climate-induced disasters or how local communities can better prepare for natural calamities. Share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and discussion.
