Friday 20 August 2010

Model Answer - Ielts Writing (Task 2)

Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?


When it comes to health, education and trade, poorer nations are regarded as lagging behind. Richer nations often help out by sending aid, providing funds or carrying out development projects.

In my opinion, the state of many poor countries can be attributed to the previous actions of rich European nations. Taking Africa as an example, countries on this continent were colonised by the British, French, Portuguese, Dutch and Germans. These colonial powers were responsible for taking Africa’s natural mineral resources. It is their duty and obligation to now assist these countries.

Richer nations have discovered vaccines and cures for illnesses and can provide solutions in the area of health. Richer nations can benefit from trading with poorer nations who have the necessary raw materials (e.g. diamonds, gold, copper, etc) and cheap labour. Finally, education is the sector that is worst hit in the Third World with millions out of school, particularly girls.

The type of aid that is sent is important. Richer nations should teach poorer ones to become independent so they will be self-sufficient and can have a sustainable economy in the long-run. Providing aid as a hand-out is temporary and provides short-term solutions. Furthermore, this aid might be used to control a country further.

To sum up, richer countries measure the development of poorer nations according to their own standards. Third World countries need to be able to stand on their own two feet in all aspects. If they accept help from richer nations they should make sure there are no hidden agendas and development programmes have a long-term aim.

Cambridge, Ielts 3 past papers, p.98

3 comments:

  1. Hi Miranda,

    Its Alok here. Nice blog. Must say you are doing well for people trying to learn English. Very interesting topics, want to comment but I guess these are for students and I dont want to interfere. Well, very happy to see this blog. I am a follower as well. Good Luck..!!

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  2. Hi Alok,

    It's great to see you here. Thanks for your encouragement and support and of course for becoming a follower of the blog. You must be practically a native speaker now that you have spent time in London! I continue to use you as a role model for others who want to study abroad!

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