GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 24
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
As part of a class assignment, you have to write about the following topic:
Some governments say how many children a family can have in their country should be strictly controlled. They may control the number of children someone has through taxes.
It is sometimes necessary and right for a government to control the population in this way.
Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Disagreement]
The population of a country directly impacts the overall progress of a nation and that is why many countries adopt strict population control policies. However, I am never really in favour of our government micro-managing things at family levels. So, I disagree with the suggestion which says that a government should be allowed to control the number of children a family should have through taxes.
Population control policy taken abruptly never brings positive results. Population control in China could be an example to explain why I disagree with the idea. China introduced a new policy of “one family, one child” in 1979, apparently, in an attempt to curb the population increase and thus help in conserving resources. Consequently, this policy destroyed the “much-needed natural balance” in the male and female population as a direct result of it. Today China has 30 million more men than women which could only mean that some men will never have the chance to marry and thanks to their one-child policy.
Besides, I don’t really like my government telling me what to do in my own house. In fact, once the government gets to decide what we should or shouldn’t do in our homes, we don’t have the freedom and liberty anymore which are our very core rights. In fact, I just don’t want my government to become so powerful that they are tempted to believe that they are allowed to do anything they want and decide absolutely anything for the citizens.
Finally, imposing taxes for more children would only make poor citizens poorer while giving the rich absolute freedom. This goes against the equal rights norm of a country.
In conclusion, the fewer-child policy of a country should be encouraged among ordinary citizens, not imposed through taxes.
Model Answer 2: [Agreement]
Overpopulation is perhaps the most pressing issue the world is facing today and many developing and poor countries have rampant crime rates, unemployment, corruption, scarcity of cultivable lands and unhealthy living standards primarily because of the unbearable populations they have. So if a government in such a country decides to control the population through a one-or-two-child policy or taxes for the betterment of its citizens and to curb the pressing issues, I see no harm in it.
To begin with, countries with very few populations per square mile like Australia, Iceland, Finland, Norway and so on would never decide to control their population through rigid rules and taxes. Countries like Romania, Bulgaria and Japan where natural population growth is negative often take initiatives to compensate parents who decide to have more than two children. Similarly, if authorities in countries like India, Bangladesh and China decide to impose taxes on more number of child and take a one-child policy throughout the country, they would do so only to check the rapid expansion of their population and for the overall development of the country.
Moreover, a large number of the population in a poor or developing country are uneducated and social dogma and superstitions often cloud their judgement and despite the government’s goodwill and awareness campaigns, they keep burdening themselves by taking babies each year. Thus they get trapped deep in poverty and have no hope for the future of their children who barely go to school. Thus the fear of increasing taxes and punitive punishment can restain them from taking more children than they can afford to have. From this regard, I think the government’s initiative and policy to control the number of children someone can have through taxes is rational and justified.
To conclude, overpopulation in some countries is already a big problem and if the governments in such countries impose taxes to discourage the brisk increase in population, we should accept it is abiding by it as it is meant for the greater good.
Model Answer 3: [Agreement]
The issue of government control over the number of children a family can have, including the use of taxation as a means of regulation, has been a subject of ongoing debate. In this essay, I will argue in favour of the notion that it can be sometimes necessary and justifiable for a government to impose population control measures including imposing a hefty tax.
One compelling reason to support population control measures is the preservation of finite resources. Rapid population growth can strain limited resources such as water, food, and energy, leading to scarcity and unequal distribution. By controlling the number of children by levying heavy taxes, governments can ensure a more sustainable use of resources for current and future generations. For instance, China’s one-child policy, although controversial, successfully curbed population growth and reduced pressure on resources, contributing to the country’s economic development and improved living standards.
Another important reason for government population control is to manage social and economic challenges. Overpopulation can lead to unemployment, overcrowding, and strain on public services such as healthcare and education. By implementing measures, for instance, taxation, to control population growth, governments can alleviate these pressures and create a better quality of life for their citizens. For example, in countries like Singapore, where land and resources are limited, the government has implemented policies to encourage smaller families, resulting in a more balanced population and enhanced social well-being.
In conclusion, it is indeed sometimes necessary and justifiable for governments to control population growth through measures such as tax incentives or penalties. By doing so, governments can ensure the sustainable use of resources, manage social and economic challenges, and create a better future for their citizens.