IELTS Writing Task 2: How Education Can Promote Environmental Sustainability (Band 7-9 Sample Essays)

Environmental sustainability has become a pressing global concern, and education plays a crucial role in addressing this issue. This topic has appeared frequently in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions over the past few years, and its relevance is likely to increase in the future. Let’s explore a common question on this subject and analyze sample essays at different band levels.

Education promoting environmental sustainability

Analyzing the Question

Some people believe that schools should teach children how to be good members of society. Others believe that this is the role of the family. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

This question asks us to consider two perspectives on who should be responsible for teaching children to be good members of society – schools or families. We need to:

1. Discuss the view that schools should teach this
2. Discuss the view that families should teach this
3. Give our own opinion

Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.

Band 8-9 Sample Essay

Environmental education in schools is crucial for nurturing environmentally responsible citizens. While families play a significant role in shaping a child’s values, schools have the resources and expertise to provide comprehensive environmental education. In my opinion, both schools and families should collaborate to instill environmental awareness in children.

Schools are uniquely positioned to offer structured environmental education. They can integrate sustainability concepts across various subjects, from science to social studies, providing a holistic understanding of environmental issues. For instance, schools can organize practical activities like recycling programs, energy conservation projects, and nature field trips, which give students hands-on experience in environmental stewardship. Moreover, schools have access to up-to-date information and can bring in experts to discuss complex environmental topics, ensuring students receive accurate and current knowledge.

On the other hand, families are the primary source of a child’s values and habits. Parents and guardians can model environmentally friendly behaviors at home, such as recycling, conserving energy, and making sustainable consumer choices. This day-to-day exposure to sustainable practices can deeply ingrain these habits in children, making them second nature. Families can also engage in environmental activities together, like participating in local clean-up events or maintaining a home garden, which reinforces the importance of environmental care.

In my view, the most effective approach is a partnership between schools and families. Schools can provide the knowledge and structured learning experiences, while families reinforce these lessons through daily practice and personal example. This collaborative approach ensures that children receive consistent messages about environmental sustainability from both their academic and home environments, leading to a more profound and lasting impact.

To conclude, while schools are essential for providing formal environmental education, families are crucial for reinforcing these lessons in everyday life. The ideal solution is a synergy between both, creating a comprehensive approach to nurturing environmentally conscious individuals who will shape a sustainable future.

(Word count: 309)

Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay

This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point, and there are effective transitions between ideas.

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Examples include “nurturing environmentally responsible citizens,” “environmental stewardship,” and “synergy.”

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly. Complex sentences are used effectively throughout.

5. Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, showing depth of understanding of the topic.

Band 6-7 Sample Essay

There is a debate about whether schools or families should teach children how to be good members of society. In my opinion, both have important roles to play in this area.

On one hand, schools have many advantages for teaching children about being good citizens. They have trained teachers who know how to explain complex ideas to children. Schools can also provide structured lessons on topics like environmental protection, civic responsibility, and social ethics. For example, schools can organize recycling programs or community service projects that give students practical experience in being good members of society.

On the other hand, families are also very important in teaching children about social responsibility. Parents are the first teachers of children and have a big influence on their values and behavior. At home, children can learn by example when they see their parents recycling, saving energy, or helping neighbors. Families can also have discussions about social issues during meals or family time, which helps children understand these topics in a more personal way.

I believe that both schools and families need to work together to teach children about being good members of society. Schools can provide the knowledge and organized activities, while families can reinforce these lessons through daily life and personal examples. This combination of formal education and family influence can help children develop a strong sense of social responsibility.

In conclusion, while schools have important resources for teaching children about social responsibility, families also play a crucial role. The best approach is for both to contribute to this important aspect of a child’s education.

(Word count: 268)

Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay

This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though with less depth compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the paragraphing and transitions are less sophisticated than in the higher band essay.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate but less varied and precise compared to the Band 8-9 essay. There are some good phrases like “civic responsibility” and “social ethics.”

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, generally accurately, but with less flexibility than the higher band essay.

5. Development of Ideas: Main points are supported with examples, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Environmental stewardship (noun) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈstjuːərdʃɪp/ – The responsible use and protection of the natural environment.

2. Sustainability (noun) – /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.

3. Civic responsibility (noun phrase) – /ˈsɪvɪk rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – The duty of citizens to their community.

4. Holistic (adjective) – /həˈlɪstɪk/ – Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole.

5. Ingrain (verb) – /ɪnˈɡreɪn/ – To fix ideas or habits in someone’s mind deeply.

6. Synergy (noun) – /ˈsɪnədʒi/ – The interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.

7. Environmental conservation (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃn/ – The protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them.

8. Ecological awareness (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl əˈweənəs/ – Understanding and being mindful of how human actions affect the environment.

Conclusion

Environmental sustainability is a critical topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, reflecting its importance in our global society. As we’ve seen from the sample essays, this theme can be approached from various angles, such as discussing the roles of different societal institutions in promoting environmental awareness.

For future practice, consider these potential questions:

1. Some people believe that environmental problems are too big for individuals to solve. Others believe that individuals cannot solve these problems alone, but should take part in larger efforts. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

2. Many environmental problems seem to be getting worse. What do you think are the main environmental problems facing the world today? What can be done to solve these problems?

We encourage you to practice writing essays on these topics and share them in the comments section below. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam. Remember, consistent practice is key to achieving your desired band score in IELTS Writing Task 2.

To further enhance your understanding of environmental issues and their impact, you might find it helpful to read about how circular economy principles can promote sustainability and the impact of social media on environmental awareness. These related topics can provide valuable insights and vocabulary for your IELTS preparation.