Some people think the world's most urgent problems can only be solved by international cooperation.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think the world's most urgent problems can only be solved by international cooperation.

World Urgent Problems Solved International Cooperation - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 8.5 ยท 285 words.

It is proposed that the majority of pressing issues facing the world today can only be tackled with international cooperation. Although I also hold this view, I feel that it is often easier said than done to call nations into collectively combating global problems.

There is no denying the inherently global nature of most contemporary problems. Climate change is a perfect example, affecting every corner of the planet, from melting polar ice caps to rising sea levels threatening coastal communities. Obviously, no single country, no matter how powerful or resourceful, can tackle climate change alone. By the same token, the COVID-19 pandemic, which swept across the globe, highlighted the necessity of international collaboration. Sharing information about the virus, coordinating lockdowns and travel restrictions, and distributing vaccines are just a few examples of how countries need to work together to manage such crises effectively.

However, rallying the entire international community around a unified strategy for these issues is often a daunting task. Every country has its own set of priorities and interests, which often leads to conflicts in global decision-making processes. Economic interests, for example, can hinder environmental initiatives, as seen in international climate negotiations where industrialized and developing nations often clash over emission reduction targets and financial responsibilities. It is also noteworthy that political differences and historical animosities can impede the formation of a cohesive global front to tackle these pressing issues. This discord can significantly delay, if not entirely derail, the implementation of effective solutions.

To summarize, issues like climate change and global pandemics know no borders and thus can only be addressed with a united global response. Nevertheless, achieving this level of cooperation is challenging due to differing national priorities and political landscapes.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptionally strong essay that demonstrates high-level control of English. The score is primarily determined by the sophisticated vocabulary and flawless grammar, combined with a logical and well-supported argument regarding the complexities of global cooperation.

Task Response - 8

- The response sufficiently addresses all parts of the task, agreeing with the necessity of cooperation while adding nuanced constraints. - Ideas are well-developed with relevant examples such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. - The position is clear throughout, though it could be even further extended by suggesting how these challenges might be overcome to fully reach Band 9.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information and ideas are sequenced logically with a clear progression from the global nature of problems to the barriers of cooperation. - Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic. - Cohesive devices such as 'By the same token', 'However', and 'To summarize' are used effectively to link ideas without being intrusive.

Lexical Resource - 9

- A wide range of vocabulary is used with very natural and sophisticated control (e.g., 'inherently global', 'historical animosities', 'cohesive global front'). - Precise meanings are conveyed through high-level collocations and uncommon lexical items used accurately. - No errors in spelling or word formation are present.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- The writer uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. - Sentences are consistently error-free, demonstrating sophisticated control of grammar and punctuation. - Complex structures like 'no matter how powerful or resourceful' and 'if not entirely derail' are used naturally.

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