Renewable energy and its environmental benefits have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. As an experienced IELTS instructor, I’ve observed a rising trend in questions related to sustainable energy sources and their impact on the environment. This subject’s relevance to global issues makes it a popular choice for test-makers, and candidates should be well-prepared to address it.
Based on past exam patterns and current global focus, I anticipate that questions about renewable energy’s environmental benefits will continue to appear frequently in future IELTS tests. To help you prepare effectively, I’ve selected a highly probable question type for our sample essays:
Some people believe that the development of renewable energy sources is crucial for addressing environmental issues, while others argue that it is not a practical solution. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the viewpoint that renewable energy is crucial for environmental issues
- Explore the opposing argument that it’s not a practical solution
- Provide and justify their own opinion on the matter
It’s essential to address all parts of the question while maintaining a balanced argument throughout your essay.
Sample Essays for Different Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Sample
The global shift towards renewable energy sources has sparked a debate about their effectiveness in addressing environmental concerns. While some argue that these alternative energy forms are vital for combating climate change and reducing pollution, others contend that they are impractical and insufficient. In my opinion, while renewable energy alone may not solve all environmental issues, it is an essential component of a comprehensive strategy to protect our planet.
Proponents of renewable energy sources highlight their numerous environmental benefits. Firstly, technologies like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power produce minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of energy production. This is crucial for mitigating climate change, as the energy sector is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. Moreover, renewable energy sources do not deplete finite resources, ensuring a sustainable energy supply for future generations. The development of these technologies also drives innovation in energy storage and distribution, potentially leading to more efficient and environmentally friendly energy systems overall.
On the other hand, critics argue that renewable energy is not a practical solution to our environmental challenges. They point out that the production and installation of renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels and wind turbines, can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat disruption and the use of rare earth metals. Additionally, the intermittent nature of some renewable sources, like solar and wind power, poses challenges for grid stability and reliability. Skeptics also argue that the current renewable technologies are not capable of meeting the world’s growing energy demands, especially in developing countries where access to affordable energy is crucial for economic growth.
In my view, while the concerns about renewable energy are valid, they do not negate its importance in addressing environmental issues. The environmental benefits of transitioning to renewable sources far outweigh the temporary disruptions caused by their implementation. As technologies improve and economies of scale are achieved, many of the practical challenges will be overcome. Furthermore, a diverse energy portfolio that includes multiple renewable sources can help address issues of intermittency and reliability.
In conclusion, the development of renewable energy sources is indeed crucial for addressing environmental issues, despite some practical challenges. A balanced approach that combines renewable energy with energy efficiency measures, improved grid management, and continued technological innovation offers the most promising path towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Governments, industries, and individuals must collaborate to overcome the current limitations and fully harness the potential of renewable energy.
(Word count: 398)
Renewable Energy Benefits
Band 6-7 Essay Sample
The topic of renewable energy and its role in solving environmental problems is widely debated. Some people think it is very important for dealing with environmental issues, while others believe it is not a good solution. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, renewable energy has many benefits for the environment. It does not produce as much pollution as fossil fuels, which helps to reduce global warming. For example, solar panels and wind turbines do not release harmful gases into the air. Also, renewable energy sources like sunlight and wind are unlimited, so we will not run out of them like we will with oil and coal. This means we can have a steady supply of energy without damaging the earth.
However, some people argue that renewable energy is not practical. They say that it is expensive to build and maintain renewable energy systems. For instance, setting up a wind farm or a solar power plant costs a lot of money. Another problem is that renewable energy is not always available. The sun does not shine at night, and the wind does not always blow. This means we cannot rely on these sources all the time, which can be a problem for factories and homes that need constant power.
In my opinion, even though renewable energy has some problems, it is still very important for solving environmental issues. The benefits of clean energy and reducing pollution are more important than the difficulties we face in using it. As technology improves, I believe renewable energy will become cheaper and more efficient. We should invest in research to make renewable energy better and find ways to store energy for times when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing.
To conclude, while there are challenges with renewable energy, I think it is a crucial part of addressing environmental problems. We need to balance the use of different types of energy and keep improving renewable technologies to create a cleaner and healthier world for everyone.
(Word count: 329)
Band 5-6 Essay Sample
Nowadays, many people talk about renewable energy and the environment. Some think it is very good for solving environmental problems, but others say it is not practical. I will discuss both ideas and give my opinion.
Renewable energy is good for the environment because it does not make pollution like oil and coal. For example, solar panels and wind turbines do not make dirty smoke. This is good for the air and helps stop global warming. Also, we will never run out of sun and wind, so we can always have energy.
But some people think renewable energy is not good enough. They say it costs too much money to build solar panels and wind farms. Another problem is that sometimes there is no sun or wind, so we cannot make energy. This can be a big problem for people who need electricity all the time.
I think renewable energy is very important for the environment, even if it has some problems. We need to protect our planet from pollution, and renewable energy can help us do that. Maybe in the future, we can make it cheaper and better. We should try to use more renewable energy and also find ways to save energy.
In conclusion, I believe renewable energy is good for solving environmental problems. We should use it more, but also think of other ways to help the environment. If we work together, we can make the world cleaner and healthier.
(Word count: 234)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and fully addresses all parts of the task. Key strengths include:
- Coherent structure: Clear introduction, balanced body paragraphs, and a strong conclusion.
- Sophisticated vocabulary: Use of phrases like “global shift,” “carbon footprint,” and “economies of scale.”
- Complex sentence structures: Variety of sentence types, including compound and complex sentences.
- Clear progression of ideas: Logical flow from one point to the next.
- Thorough development of arguments: Each point is well-explained and supported with examples.
- Strong personal opinion: Clearly stated and justified in the conclusion.
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay shows good control of language and addresses all parts of the task. Key features include:
- Clear organization: Follows a logical structure with separate paragraphs for each viewpoint.
- Adequate vocabulary: Uses some topic-specific terms like “fossil fuels” and “global warming.”
- Mix of simple and complex sentences: Demonstrates some variety in sentence structure.
- Relevant examples: Provides specific instances to support arguments.
- Personal opinion: Clearly stated, though less developed than in the Band 8-9 essay.
- Some repetition: Ideas are sometimes restated without significant expansion.
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay addresses the task but with less sophistication. Characteristics include:
- Basic structure: Has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Simple vocabulary: Uses mostly common words with a few topic-specific terms.
- Mainly simple sentences: Limited use of complex structures.
- Basic examples: Provides some examples but with less detail.
- Personal opinion: Stated but not extensively developed.
- Limited coherence: Ideas are sometimes disconnected or repetitive.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Renewable energy (noun) /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/ – Energy from a source that is not depleted when used
- Environmental benefits (noun phrase) /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈbenɪfɪts/ – Positive effects on the natural world
- Carbon footprint (noun) /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The amount of carbon dioxide released due to human activities
- Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain level without depleting natural resources
- Intermittent (adjective) /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənt/ – Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous
- Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – Basic physical and organizational structures needed for operation
- Grid stability (noun phrase) /ɡrɪd stəˈbɪləti/ – The ability of an electrical system to maintain a steady state
- Energy portfolio (noun phrase) /ˈenədʒi pɔːtˈfəʊliəʊ/ – A mix of different energy sources used by a country or region
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – To make less severe or serious
- Innovation (noun) /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ – A new method, idea, or product
Conclusion
The topic of renewable energy’s environmental benefits is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of government in promoting renewable energy
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection
- The impact of renewable energy on job markets and industries
- Challenges in implementing renewable energy in developing countries
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, and provide well-developed arguments supported by relevant examples. As a practice exercise, try writing your own essay on the question discussed in this article and share it in the comments section below. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare more effectively for the IELTS exam.