PTE Academic Write Essay · Opinion (agree or disagree)

Evaluating the Global Significance of Food Security

A high-scoring sample essay with the plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and what the scoring traits reward.
  • 259 words
  • Opinion (agree or disagree)
  • beginner
  • 20 minutes

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.

Opinion (agree or disagree)

Plan before you write

  1. 1

    Position

    I strongly agree that food security constitutes a primary global challenge due to its direct correlation with political stability and human survival.

  2. 2

    Paragraph 2

    Food scarcity acts as a catalyst for widespread civil unrest and geopolitical instability.

  3. 3

    Paragraph 3

    Malnutrition hinders human capital development, thereby stifling economic growth and long-term societal progress.

  • →State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.
  • →Two body paragraphs that each give one reason for that position, with an example.
  • →A partial position is fine if it is stated precisely; a position that drifts is what caps task response at 6.

Model answer

Sample essay

High-scoring sample259 words. Use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences: PTE flags memorised templates.

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.

Scoring traits

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.

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8 words

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

See also the Write Essay guide.

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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