PTE Academic Write Essay · Opinion (agree or disagree) · beginner

Evaluating the Global Significance of Food Security

The prompt

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Food Security is one of the most important issues facing the world today." Support your position with specific reasons and examples.

20 minutes. Write 200 to 300 words. A BandLadder practice prompt, not a recalled exam question.

Plan before you write

Position:
I strongly agree that food security constitutes a primary global challenge due to its direct correlation with political stability and human survival.
Paragraph 2:
Food scarcity acts as a catalyst for widespread civil unrest and geopolitical instability.
Paragraph 3:
Malnutrition hinders human capital development, thereby stifling economic growth and long-term societal progress.
  1. State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.
  2. Two body paragraphs that each give one reason for that position, with an example.
  3. A partial position is fine if it is stated precisely; a position that drifts is what caps task response at 6.

Sample essay

Food security represents a fundamental pillar of global stability. I strongly agree that ensuring consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food is one of the most pressing challenges currently facing humanity, as it directly impacts both geopolitical order and human development.

Primarily, food scarcity serves as a significant catalyst for civil unrest. When populations are unable to access basic sustenance, social cohesion collapses, often leading to mass migration or violent conflict. For instance, the 2011 Arab Spring was partially fueled by soaring wheat prices, which demonstrated that food insecurity can dismantle established governments and destabilize entire regions. Therefore, addressing food supply chains is not merely an agricultural concern but a critical imperative for maintaining international peace.

Furthermore, chronic malnutrition creates a cycle of poverty that cripples national economies. When children suffer from inadequate nutrition, their cognitive and physical development is irreversibly impaired, which reduces their future productivity in the workforce. A pertinent example is found in sub-Saharan Africa, where high rates of stunted growth continue to limit economic output and perpetuate cycles of dependency. By prioritizing food security, nations can cultivate a healthier, more capable workforce, which is essential for sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity.

In conclusion, food security is a central challenge because of its profound influence on political stability and economic potential. By failing to secure food resources, the global community risks both widespread humanitarian crises and a stagnation of development. Consequently, international cooperation and technological investment in sustainable agriculture are required to mitigate this existential threat and ensure a stable future for all nations.

259 words. Use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences: PTE flags memorised templates.

Why this scores well

This essay scores highly on content relevance and linguistic range by utilizing precise academic vocabulary and logical, cohesive transitions. The most common error on this prompt is failing to provide specific examples, leading to vague generalizations that lack supporting evidence.

Vocabulary from the essay

catalyst
something that causes an important event to happen
social cohesion
the strength of relationships within a society
geopolitical
relating to politics influenced by geographical factors
imperative
a factor that is of vital importance
human capital
the skills and health of a population
stunted
prevented from growing or developing properly
sustainable
able to be maintained over the long term
existential
relating to existence or survival of humanity

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Frequently asked questions

How long should a PTE essay be?

Between 200 and 300 words; outside that range the form score drops to zero. This sample is 259 words, written for the 20-minute limit.

What type of essay is this?

Opinion (agree or disagree). State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.

What does PTE reward in the essay?

This essay scores highly on content relevance and linguistic range by utilizing precise academic vocabulary and logical, cohesive transitions. The most common error on this prompt is failing to provide specific examples, leading to vague generalizations that lack supporting evidence.

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