Questions 1-10

WRiTing TASk 2 
Sample answer
In recent decades there has been a number of high-
profile innovations in farming based on scientific 
research, most notably the use of chemical insecticides 
and the genetic modification of crops. 
Without doubt these have led to some very positive 
outcomes. For example, researchers have been able 
to identify which pests cause problems for a particular 
plant and to create a means of destroying them. In some 
areas of the world this has transformed farmers’ ability 
to grow food for their own consumption as well as to sell 
it to generate income. Equally, in recent years the ability 
to manipulate the genetic make-up of plants has made 
it possible to create strains of crops naturally resistant to 
pests and diseases. In fact, some of these new scientific 
developments are reducing the need for the innovations 
of the previous generation.
However, there can be serious drawbacks to these 
scientific developments in agriculture. For instance, it is 
now becoming clear that pesticides may be damaging 
beneficial organisms as well as pests. For example, 
it is widely agreed that the world’s bee population is 
being aff ected by chemicals; this means fewer plants 
are being pollinated, which aff ects food supplies. It is 
possible, also, that a range of human diseases which are 
becoming increasingly common, for example asthma, 
may be exacerbated by these chemicals. 
My own view is that it would be wrong to deny the 
potential of science to improve agriculture – as it has 
done throughout history, from the development of 
the plough to the refinement of livestock breeding. 
However, we must be sure we understand as much as 
possible about the eff ects of innovations before it is too 
late to reverse any negative consequences. 
IELTS Essentials @IELTSUzNav

---