The topic of renewable energy and its role in combating global warming has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the growing importance of environmental issues, it’s highly likely that this theme will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant essay question and analyze how to approach it effectively across different band scores.
Renewable Energy and Global Warming
Analyzing the Essay Question
Let’s consider the following question, which is representative of the type you might encounter in an IELTS Writing Task 2 exam:
Some people believe that the development of renewable energy sources is crucial in combating global warming, while others argue that it is not effective. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the view that renewable energy is crucial for combating global warming
- Present the opposing view that renewable energy is not effective in this regard
- Provide your own opinion on the matter
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, along with explanations of why they achieve their respective scores.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and the role of renewable energy in addressing this challenge has been widely debated. While some argue that developing renewable energy sources is essential in the fight against global warming, others contend that it is ineffective. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering a personal viewpoint.
Proponents of renewable energy assert that it is a crucial tool in combating global warming. They argue that by replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, a single wind turbine can prevent thousands of tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. Moreover, as renewable technologies advance and become more efficient, their potential to mitigate climate change increases exponentially.
On the other hand, skeptics maintain that renewable energy is not an effective solution to global warming. They point out that the production and installation of renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels and wind turbines, still requires significant energy input, often from fossil fuel sources. Additionally, they argue that the intermittent nature of some renewable sources, like solar and wind power, necessitates backup systems that may rely on fossil fuels, thus undermining their effectiveness in reducing overall emissions.
In my opinion, while the arguments against renewable energy raise valid concerns, the potential benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The initial carbon footprint of renewable energy infrastructure is quickly offset by the long-term reduction in emissions. Furthermore, advancements in energy storage technologies are increasingly addressing the intermittency issue. Most importantly, as renewable energy sources continue to replace fossil fuels, the energy used in their production will increasingly come from clean sources, creating a virtuous cycle of sustainability.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that the development of renewable energy is indeed crucial in combating global warming. While it may not be a perfect solution, it represents our best hope for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Governments and individuals alike should prioritize the transition to renewable energy sources to ensure a sustainable future for our planet.
(Word count: 349)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay achieves a high band score for several reasons:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “Moreover,” “On the other hand,” “Furthermore”).
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Lexical Resource: The essay demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary used appropriately and accurately (e.g., “intermittent nature,” “virtuous cycle of sustainability”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures accurately (e.g., “While it may not be a perfect solution, it represents our best hope…”).
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Nowadays, global warming is a big problem, and people have different ideas about how to solve it. Some think renewable energy is very important, but others say it doesn’t work well. I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
Many people believe renewable energy is crucial for fighting global warming. They say that using things like solar panels and wind turbines instead of oil and coal can reduce the amount of harmful gases in the air. For example, solar energy doesn’t produce any pollution when it makes electricity. Also, as we get better at making renewable energy, it becomes cheaper and more efficient.
However, some people argue that renewable energy is not effective against global warming. They point out that making solar panels and wind turbines still uses a lot of energy, which often comes from fossil fuels. They also say that when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, we still need to use other energy sources, which might be fossil fuels.
In my opinion, I think renewable energy is very important for combating global warming, even if it’s not perfect. While it’s true that making renewable energy equipment uses some energy, over time it produces much cleaner energy than fossil fuels. Also, scientists are working on better ways to store energy, which will help solve the problem of what to do when there’s no sun or wind.
To conclude, I believe that developing renewable energy is crucial in the fight against global warming. It may have some problems, but it’s still the best way we have to reduce pollution and protect our planet. Governments should encourage more use of renewable energy to help solve the climate crisis.
(Word count: 287)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay achieves a Band 6-7 score for the following reasons:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the development of ideas is less sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is organized logically, but uses simpler linking words (e.g., “However,” “Also”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate but less varied and sophisticated compared to the higher band essay (e.g., “big problem,” “doesn’t work well”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with generally good control of grammar.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are presented clearly but with less depth and fewer specific examples compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Renewable energy (noun) – /rɪˈnjuːəbəl ˈenədʒi/ – Energy from a source that is not depleted when used
- Global warming (noun) – /ˈɡləʊbəl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/ – The increase in Earth’s average temperature
- Greenhouse gas emissions (noun) – /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – The release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect
- Fossil fuels (noun) – /ˈfɒsəl fjuːəlz/ – Fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals
- Intermittent (adjective) – /ɪntəˈmɪtənt/ – Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous
- Carbon footprint (noun) – /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of activities
- Sustainability (noun) – /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The ability to maintain at a certain rate or level
- Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – Make less severe, serious, or painful
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities
- Virtuous cycle (noun) – /ˈvɜːtʃuəs ˈsaɪkəl/ – A complex chain of events that reinforces itself through a feedback loop with beneficial results
Conclusion
The topic of renewable energy and its role in combating global warming is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The economic impacts of transitioning to renewable energy
- Government policies to promote renewable energy adoption
- The role of individual actions in supporting renewable energy use
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and develop your ideas with relevant examples. As a practical exercise, try writing your own essay on the question provided in this article and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.