Mastering IELTS Writing Task 2: How Climate Change Affects Weather Patterns – Expert Analysis and Sample Essays

Climate change and its impact on weather patterns is a highly relevant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This subject has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to continue being a popular theme due to its global significance. Let’s explore a typical question on this topic and analyze how to approach it effectively.

Analyzing the Question

Here’s a sample IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic:

Some people say that climate change is the main cause of extreme weather conditions around the world. Others believe that human activities are responsible for these weather events. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

This question falls under the “discuss both views and give your opinion” category. It requires you to:

1. Explain the view that climate change is the main cause of extreme weather.
2. Discuss the perspective that human activities are responsible for extreme weather events.
3. Provide your own opinion on the matter.

Extreme Weather Events

Sample Essay (Band 8-9)

Here’s a high-scoring sample essay addressing the question:

Climate change and its relationship to extreme weather conditions have been subjects of intense debate in recent years. While some argue that climate change is the primary driver of these events, others attribute them directly to human activities. In my opinion, these views are interconnected, with human actions contributing significantly to climate change, which in turn leads to more frequent and severe weather events.

Those who believe climate change is the main cause of extreme weather point to the increasing global temperatures and their effects on weather patterns. As the Earth warms, it disrupts established climatic systems, leading to more intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and severe flooding. For instance, rising sea temperatures provide more energy for tropical storms, potentially increasing their intensity and frequency. Additionally, warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and more devastating floods in some regions.

On the other hand, proponents of the view that human activities are directly responsible for extreme weather events focus on immediate human impacts. Deforestation, for example, can alter local weather patterns by reducing rainfall and increasing temperatures. Urbanization creates heat islands, affecting regional climates and potentially influencing storm patterns. Moreover, pollution from industrial activities can impact cloud formation and precipitation patterns, leading to localized extreme weather events.

In my opinion, these two perspectives are not mutually exclusive but rather form a cause-and-effect relationship. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, are the primary drivers of climate change. This anthropogenic climate change, in turn, exacerbates extreme weather conditions globally. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has consistently highlighted this connection, emphasizing that human-induced global warming is leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events worldwide.

In conclusion, while direct human activities can influence local weather patterns, the broader and more severe extreme weather events we are witnessing globally are primarily the result of human-induced climate change. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that tackles both immediate human impacts on the environment and the larger challenge of mitigating climate change.

(Word count: 329)

Sample Essay (Band 6-7)

Here’s a sample essay that would typically score in the Band 6-7 range:

In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about the causes of extreme weather conditions around the world. Some people think that climate change is the main reason for these events, while others believe that human activities are directly responsible. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

Those who say climate change is the main cause of extreme weather point to the fact that the Earth is getting warmer. They argue that this warming is changing weather patterns and making storms, droughts, and floods more severe. For example, warmer oceans can make hurricanes stronger, and higher temperatures can lead to more heat waves.

On the other hand, people who believe human activities are responsible for extreme weather focus on things that people do directly. They say that cutting down forests can change local weather by reducing rain and making areas hotter. Also, building cities creates “heat islands” that can affect the weather nearby. Pollution from factories and cars can also change how clouds form and where rain falls.

In my opinion, both of these views are partly right. I think that human activities are causing climate change, which is then leading to more extreme weather. We are burning too many fossil fuels and cutting down too many trees, which is making the Earth warmer. This warming is then causing more severe weather events all over the world.

To conclude, while human activities can directly affect local weather, I believe that the bigger problem is how these activities are changing the global climate. To solve this issue, we need to reduce our impact on the environment and try to slow down climate change.

(Word count: 270)

Key Points to Remember When Writing

1. Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing each view, the writer’s opinion, and a conclusion. The Band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced argument.

2. Vocabulary: The higher band essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases like “anthropogenic”, “exacerbates”, and “comprehensive approach”. The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still effectively communicates the ideas.

3. Grammar: The Band 8-9 essay demonstrates a wider range of complex structures, while the Band 6-7 essay uses mainly simple and compound sentences with some complex structures.

4. Task Response: Both essays address all parts of the question, but the Band 8-9 essay provides a more in-depth analysis and a clearer personal opinion.

5. Cohesion and Coherence: The Band 8-9 essay has better paragraph links and a more logical flow of ideas. The Band 6-7 essay is coherent but with less sophisticated linking.

Important Vocabulary to Remember

1. Climate change (noun) /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/: Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns.

2. Extreme weather (noun phrase) /ɪkˈstriːm ˈweðə(r)/: Unusually severe or unseasonal weather.

3. Anthropogenic (adjective) /ˌænθrəpəˈdʒenɪk/: Originating from human activity.

4. Exacerbate (verb) /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/: To make a problem or situation worse.

5. Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/: The action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something.

6. Deforestation (noun) /diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/: The action of clearing a wide area of trees.

7. Urbanization (noun) /ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃn/: The process of making an area more urban.

8. Heat island (noun phrase) /hiːt ˈaɪlənd/: An urban area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas.

9. Fossil fuels (noun phrase) /ˈfɒsl fjuːəlz/: Natural fuels such as coal or gas, formed from the remains of living organisms.

10. Precipitation (noun) /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn/: Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.

In conclusion, the topic of climate change and its effects on weather patterns is a crucial one for IELTS candidates to master. It requires a good understanding of environmental issues, the ability to discuss different viewpoints, and the skill to express a well-reasoned opinion. Practice writing essays on related topics to improve your skills. You might also want to explore how climate change impacts food availability for a broader understanding of climate change effects. Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is practice and familiarity with a wide range of topics. Try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments for feedback and discussion!