WRITING 1 – OPINION ESSAY [1]

I, OVERVIEW
Band descriptors
Write an essay – at least 250 words
You are expected to give reasons for your answer and any relevant
example

A and B 5 TR
such as / like …
For example, … / For instance, …

STRUCTURE (Standard)

Opening 1, Paraphrase the given statement

2, Answer the question (Keep it clear and clean)

Body 1 Justify your answer in the opening

Body 2 Justify your answer in the opening

Conclusion Summarize what you’ve said above.

It’s unnecessary to give further predictions/ assumptions here.
II, OPINION ESSAY
“To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”
- 100% Agree
- 100% Disagree
- 40-60 (While acknowledging the reasons for this thinking, I would argue…/I
disagree with this thinking, despite acknowledging the reasons for/ behind
it)
NO NO NO: partly agree/ disagree

Exam question 1:
Some people think that countries should produce foods their population eats
and import less food as much as possible.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Extreme keywords
+ All / Every Exception(s)

+ Only other ways/ parties

+ The best Better ways

A B C 99 100 101 (riddled with a host of problems)

Position (40/60): While the benefits of becoming food independent are clear, I
would argue it is not a practical goal for many nations.

Pros of becoming food independent:

+
locally produced foods tend to be more affordable more economical option for residents
 +
reduced food miles a reduction in carbon footprint (air pollution & global warming)

+
facilitate the growth of the agricultural field an increase in agriculture-related job opportu

Ex: Vietnam
+ depending on foreign food supplies can be risky

Not all countries can produce enough food to feed their populations
+ Japan: hostile climate + infertile soil
+ Singapore: limited agricultural land
+ African countries: prolonged droughts
Sample 1 (40-60)
One school of thought holds that countries should try to become food
independent/ self-sufficient/ self-reliant. While acknowledging the reasons for
this proposal, I would argue that it is not practical in many parts of the world.

Multiple-idea paragraph:

Topic sentence (Clear & Clean) Supporting idea 1 Explain / Example Supporting idea 2 Expl

On the one hand, there are good grounds/ reasons for advocating the policy of
food independence. First, increasing domestic food production can lead to more
employment opportunities in the field of agriculture, thereby reducing the
unemployment rate. This can be seen in rural regions in Vietnam, where an
emphasis on agricultural development has helped ensure year-round
production, creating thousands of jobs for the locals and preventing jobless
periods/ seasonal unemployment. In addition to this, depending on foreign
food supplies can be risky, especially during global crises like pandemics or trade
conflicts. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, disrupted global food chains,
leaving countries heavily dependent on food imports, such as Saudi Arabia,
struggling to secure stable food supplies.

Single-idea paragraph: Topic sentence Explain Example 1 Example 2 Mini-conclusion (Mean

Notwithstanding the aforementioned arguments, I am convinced that solely

depending on domestic food production is far from a realistic goal for many
nations. To be more specific/ To specify, geographic and climatic conditions in
many regions are simply not suitable for agricultural practices. Japan is a case in
point. Its infertile soil, coupled with hostile climate, severely limits its
agricultural capacity, making self-sufficiency in food production a hardly
attainable goal. By the same token,/ Similarly/ Likewise, in light of prolonged
droughts, it would be virtually impossible for South Sudan to produce enough food
to feed its citizenry (~population). For these countries, avoiding food imports
could actually be tantamount to causing national food shortages.

tantamount to (-) - synonymous with (+-)

In conclusion, while there are justifications for supporting the proposal of food
self-reliance, I am of the opinion that it is not a feasible option for all countries.
Particularly in regions where natural conditions are unfavorable for agriculture,
food imports remain an indispensable means to ensure national food security.
VER 2 - DISAGREE 100%
Whether countries should aim for food independence has been a topic of debate
lately. In this essay, I will argue against this notion, considering the practical and
economic implications.

First, it is important to recognize that many regions lack the natural capacity to
support a diverse agricultural system. For instance, several African nations struggle
with arid climates and infertile soil, making it difficult to cultivate a variety of
crops necessary for a balanced diet. Similarly, countries like Japan and Singapore,
constrained by limited land and natural resources, find it nearly impossible to grow
all the food their populations need. Relying solely on domestic food production
in these circumstances is not only impractical but could also lead to nutritional
deficits due to the limited range of locally available foods.

The argument in favor of / for … is further strengthened by …

The argument against … is further strengthened by …

The argument against the policy of food independence is further strengthened by

its potential economic repercussions. The global economy is underpinned by the
principle of comparative advantage, where nations specialize in producing
certain goods and trade for others they cannot produce as efficiently. Forcing self-
sufficiency could lead to resource misallocation, resulting in higher production
costs, less efficient land and labor use, increased food prices, and a narrower
selection for consumers. Moreover, countries that depend on exporting agricultural
products/ produce, such as many South American nations known for soy and corn,
would face economic challenges if global demand for their exports declined. This
shift could have a cascading effect, potentially exacerbating global poverty and
inequality.

In conclusion/ To summarize/ To conclude, I am against the notion that all

nations should try to become independent of food imports. Not only is it unfeasible
for regions with challenging natural conditions, but it also ignores the economic
consequences of avoiding food imports.