Climate change and its impact on natural disasters have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. This subject’s frequency in recent exams reflects its global significance and is likely to remain a common theme in future tests. To help you prepare effectively, we’ll analyze a relevant question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Climate change impact on natural disasters
Analyzing the Question
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic:
Some people believe that climate change is the main cause of increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Others think that human activities like deforestation and urbanization are more responsible. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Question Breakdown:
- Topic: The relationship between climate change, human activities, and natural disasters
- Task: Discuss both viewpoints and provide your opinion
- Key points to address:
- Climate change as a primary cause of natural disasters
- Human activities (deforestation, urbanization) as major contributors
- Your perspective on the issue
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Response
Natural disasters have become more frequent and severe in recent years, prompting debates about their primary causes. While some attribute this trend to climate change, others argue that human activities like deforestation and urbanization are more culpable. In my opinion, both factors significantly contribute to the escalation of natural disasters, but climate change plays a more fundamental role.
Those who blame climate change for the surge in natural disasters have compelling evidence to support their stance. Rising global temperatures have led to more extreme weather patterns, including intense heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and severe storms. For instance, the increased ocean temperatures due to global warming have resulted in more powerful hurricanes and cyclones. Moreover, melting polar ice caps have caused sea levels to rise, exacerbating coastal flooding and erosion. These climate-induced changes create conditions that amplify the frequency and intensity of various natural disasters.
On the other hand, proponents of human activities as the primary cause argue that direct environmental modifications have immediate and localized impacts on disaster occurrence. Deforestation, for example, removes natural barriers that protect against landslides and floods. The loss of tree cover also affects local climate patterns and reduces the land’s capacity to absorb excess water. Similarly, rapid urbanization often leads to poor city planning, with construction in flood-prone areas and inadequate drainage systems, making urban areas more susceptible to flooding and other disasters.
While both perspectives have merit, I believe that climate change is the overarching factor exacerbating natural disasters globally. Human activities like deforestation and urbanization certainly contribute to local vulnerabilities, but climate change acts as a multiplier, intensifying the impact of these localized issues on a global scale. The far-reaching effects of climate change, such as altered precipitation patterns and rising sea levels, create a backdrop against which local human activities become even more detrimental.
In conclusion, while human activities directly influence the occurrence of natural disasters in specific areas, climate change serves as the underlying driver amplifying these effects worldwide. Addressing this issue requires a two-pronged approach: implementing global measures to mitigate climate change while also focusing on sustainable local practices in urban development and forest management. Only by tackling both aspects can we hope to reduce the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the future.
(Word count: 374)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay:
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets the criteria for a high band score:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point, and ideas flow logically.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Complex words and phrases are used effectively (e.g., “compelling evidence,” “exacerbating,” “overarching factor”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly. It includes complex sentences and various grammatical features.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are well-developed with relevant examples and explanations. The essay shows a nuanced understanding of the topic.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Response
In recent years, natural disasters have become more common and destructive. Some people think this is mainly because of climate change, while others believe human activities like cutting down forests and building cities are more responsible. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who blame climate change for more natural disasters have some good points. The Earth is getting warmer, which is changing weather patterns. This can lead to more extreme weather like very hot days, long periods without rain, and big storms. For example, warmer oceans can make hurricanes stronger. Also, as ice at the North and South Poles melts, sea levels go up, which can cause more flooding in coastal areas. These changes in climate can make natural disasters happen more often and be more damaging.
On the other hand, some people think human activities are the main problem. When we cut down forests, we remove natural protection against some disasters. Trees help stop landslides and can reduce flooding. Also, when we build big cities, we often don’t plan well. We might build houses in areas that flood easily or not make good systems to drain water. This can make cities more likely to have problems during heavy rain or storms.
In my opinion, both climate change and human activities play important roles in making natural disasters worse, but I think climate change is the bigger problem. While things like cutting down forests and building cities badly can cause problems in specific places, climate change affects the whole world. It makes the effects of local human activities even worse.
To conclude, although human activities directly cause some natural disasters in certain areas, climate change is making everything worse on a global scale. To solve this problem, we need to work on stopping climate change and also be more careful about how we build cities and manage forests. Only by doing both can we hope to reduce natural disasters in the future.
(Word count: 329)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay:
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but has some areas for improvement:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but some transitions between ideas could be smoother.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate but less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay. There’s room for more precise and varied word choices.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences but could benefit from more varied structures.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are developed adequately but could be elaborated further with more specific examples or deeper analysis.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Climate change (noun) – /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ – Long-term shifts in global weather patterns and average temperatures
- Natural disaster (noun) – /ˈnætʃrəl dɪˈzæstər/ – A catastrophic event caused by natural processes of the Earth
- Deforestation (noun) – /diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/ – The action of clearing a wide area of trees
- Urbanization (noun) – /ˌɜːrbənaɪˈzeɪʃn/ – The process of making an area more urban
- Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt/ – To make a problem or situation worse
- Mitigation (noun) – /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
- Vulnerability (noun) – /ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪləti/ – The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed
- Precipitation (noun) – /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn/ – Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground
- Erosion (noun) – /ɪˈroʊʒn/ – The gradual destruction or diminution of something
- Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
Conclusion
The impact of climate change on natural disasters is a crucial topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the question types and practicing with sample essays, you can improve your ability to address this subject effectively. Remember to analyze the question carefully, structure your essay logically, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The economic impact of climate change-induced natural disasters on developing countries
- The role of international cooperation in mitigating climate change and its effects
- The effectiveness of current policies in addressing climate change and natural disaster preparedness
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on the topic provided in this article. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active practice will help you refine your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS Writing Task 2.
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