Cambridge English Exams
C1 Advanced Essay Writing: Preparing England for Future Droughts
Example Exam Task
You attended a public debate about how England should prepare for more frequent periods of drought. The speakers discussed the recent water shortages and their effects on households, farming and the environment. You have made the notes below:
What should be the priority in preparing England for future droughts?
- Reduce household water use
- Build new reservoirs
- Support farmers during droughts
Some opinions expressed during the debate:
- ‘We all need to use less water if supplies are becoming more limited.’
- ‘Saving water at home will not be enough. We need to store more water.’
- ‘Farmers are among those suffering most, so they should receive greater support.’
Write an essay, discussing two of the proposals in your notes. You should explain which proposal would help England most, giving reasons in support of your answer. Write 220–260 words in an appropriate style.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed during the debate, but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Example Essay
Preparing England for Future Droughts
England’s increasingly frequent periods of drought are raising concerns about the country’s ability to cope with water shortages. Although encouraging households to use less water could ease pressure on limited water supplies, this essay will argue that supporting farmers should be given greater priority because of the wider consequences of agricultural losses.
On the one hand, encouraging households to use less water could make a significant contribution to managing supplies during periods of drought. Simple measures such as collecting rainwater, avoiding unnecessary garden watering and car washing, and running washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded could significantly reduce domestic water use if adopted by millions of households. Furthermore, reducing demand can be achieved relatively quickly and without major public investment. However, there are limits to how much households can realistically reduce their water use, particularly as hotter summers are likely to increase demand for water.
On the other hand, supporting farmers could help protect both domestic food production and the wider economy. Recent drought conditions have resulted in earlier harvests, lower crop yields and poor grass growth, contributing to higher food prices. Financial assistance, improved access to irrigation and support for on-farm water storage could help farmers cope with worsening conditions and maintain production during prolonged dry periods. This is particularly important because a significant fall in domestic food production could increase reliance on imports and push food prices even higher. Consequently, supporting farmers would benefit not only the agricultural sector but society as a whole.
In conclusion, although reducing household water use is an important part of managing drought, supporting farmers would bring greater overall benefits. Protecting agricultural production means protecting food security and reducing the wider economic and social consequences of increasingly frequent water shortages.
Photo: Old Town Gardens in Swindon © Great British Gardens