Ocean plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue, frequently appearing in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. This topic’s relevance and global impact make it a popular choice for examiners, and its complexity allows candidates to showcase their analytical and writing skills. Based on recent trends, we can expect this theme to continue featuring prominently in future IELTS exams.
Let’s examine a typical question on this subject:
Many experts believe that the problem of plastic pollution in oceans is too large to be solved by individuals and that only governments and large companies can tackle this issue effectively. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Understand the scope of ocean plastic pollution
- Consider the role of individuals vs. governments and large companies
- Form an opinion on the effectiveness of different approaches
- Provide reasoning and examples to support their stance
Sample Essays
Band 9 Sample Essay
Ocean plastic pollution impact
Ocean plastic pollution is undeniably one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems and human health. While the scale of the problem is indeed vast, I firmly believe that the solution lies in a collaborative effort involving individuals, governments, and large corporations, rather than relying solely on institutional action.
Certainly, governments and large companies wield significant power and resources to combat this issue effectively. Governments can implement and enforce strict regulations on plastic production, usage, and disposal. For instance, many countries have successfully banned single-use plastic bags, leading to a notable reduction in plastic waste. Similarly, large corporations can invest in research and development of eco-friendly alternatives, redesign their products and packaging to minimize plastic use, and fund large-scale ocean cleanup initiatives. The Ocean Cleanup project, backed by several major corporations, exemplifies how corporate involvement can drive innovative solutions to tackle ocean pollution on a grand scale.
However, it would be remiss to underestimate the collective impact of individual actions. While a single person’s efforts may seem insignificant in the face of such a monumental problem, the cumulative effect of millions of people making conscious choices can be profound. Individuals can significantly reduce their plastic consumption by opting for reusable items, properly recycling, and supporting businesses with environmentally friendly practices. Moreover, grassroots movements initiated by individuals have often been the catalyst for broader societal changes and have pressured both governments and companies to take action. The success of beach cleanup campaigns worldwide, often started by concerned citizens, demonstrates the power of individual and community-level initiatives.
Furthermore, education and awareness-raising, often spearheaded by individuals and small organizations, play a crucial role in combating ocean plastic pollution. By informing others about the consequences of plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives, individuals can create a ripple effect that leads to widespread behavioral changes. This bottom-up approach complements top-down measures implemented by governments and corporations, creating a more comprehensive and effective strategy to address the issue.
In conclusion, while the enormity of ocean plastic pollution requires significant action from governments and large companies, the role of individuals should not be discounted. The most effective approach to tackling this global challenge is a synergistic effort that harnesses the strengths of all stakeholders. By combining stringent policies, corporate innovation, and individual responsibility, we stand the best chance of reversing the tide of plastic pollution in our oceans and preserving marine ecosystems for future generations.
Word count: 395
Analysis of Band 9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence across all marking criteria:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a well-developed argument. It considers both sides of the issue before clearly stating and supporting the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is logically organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the argument, and ideas are linked both within and between paragraphs using a range of cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Complex ideas are conveyed precisely, and there is evidence of uncommon lexical items used appropriately.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used flexibly and accurately. Complex sentences are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.
Band 7 Sample Essay
Ocean plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that has gained significant attention in recent years. While some argue that this problem is too large for individuals to solve and that only governments and big companies can effectively address it, I partially agree with this viewpoint.
On one hand, it’s true that governments and large corporations have the resources and power to make substantial changes. Governments can create and enforce laws to reduce plastic production and improve waste management. For example, many countries have banned single-use plastic bags, which has helped decrease plastic waste. Big companies can also play a crucial role by developing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic products and improving their packaging to use less plastic. These actions can have a widespread impact due to the scale at which these entities operate.
However, I believe that individuals also have an important part to play in tackling ocean plastic pollution. While one person’s actions might seem small, when millions of people make changes, the effect can be significant. Individuals can reduce their plastic use by choosing reusable items, recycling properly, and supporting businesses that are environmentally friendly. Additionally, people can participate in beach cleanups and awareness campaigns, which can help remove plastic from the environment and educate others about the issue.
Moreover, individual actions can influence both governments and companies. When many people demand change, it can pressure these larger entities to take action. For instance, consumer preferences for eco-friendly products have led some companies to change their practices and offer more sustainable options.
In conclusion, while governments and large companies have a crucial role in addressing ocean plastic pollution due to their resources and influence, individual actions are also important. The most effective approach to solving this problem involves efforts from all levels of society – governments, businesses, and individuals working together. By combining large-scale policies and initiatives with personal responsibility and grassroots movements, we have a better chance of reducing plastic pollution in our oceans.
Word count: 324
Analysis of Band 7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good performance across the marking criteria:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position. The main ideas are extended and supported, though not as fully as in the Band 9 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. Paragraphing is logical, and there is good use of cohesive devices, though not as sophisticated as in the Band 9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. There are some less common lexical items, though not as many as in the Band 9 essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures. There are no significant errors, but the range and accuracy are not as high as in the Band 9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Environmental challenge (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈtʃælɪndʒ/ – A difficult task or situation related to the natural world.
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Ecosystems (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəmz/ – A community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment.
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Single-use plastic (noun phrase) – /ˈsɪŋɡl juːz ˈplæstɪk/ – Plastic items intended to be used only once before being thrown away.
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Eco-friendly alternatives (noun phrase) – /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvz/ – Products or practices that are not harmful to the environment.
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Grassroots movements (noun phrase) – /ˈɡrɑːsruːts ˈmuːvmənts/ – Political or social movements that use collective action from the local level.
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Catalyst (noun) – /ˈkætəlɪst/ – Something that causes an important event to happen.
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Synergistic (adjective) – /ˌsɪnəˈdʒɪstɪk/ – Relating to the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual elements.
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Stringent (adjective) – /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ – Strict, precise, and exacting.
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Cumulative effect (noun phrase) – /ˈkjuːmjələtɪv ɪˈfekt/ – The combined result of something increasing or expanding by successive additions.
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Ripple effect (noun phrase) – /ˈrɪpl ɪˈfekt/ – The continuing and spreading results of an event or action.
Conclusion
Mastering essays on ocean plastic pollution requires a deep understanding of the issue, strong analytical skills, and the ability to present arguments coherently. The sample essays provided demonstrate how to effectively address this topic at different band levels. Remember to:
- Clearly state your position
- Provide specific examples and reasoning
- Consider multiple perspectives
- Use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures
- Organize your ideas logically
To further improve your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The role of education in combating environmental issues
- The effectiveness of international cooperation in solving global environmental problems
- The impact of consumer behavior on environmental conservation
We encourage you to practice writing essays on these topics and share them in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS Writing Task 2.
