Climate change and its impact on storm severity is a crucial topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests. Based on our analysis of previous IELTS questions, we’ve identified three related prompts:
- Some people believe that climate change is the main cause of increasingly severe storms. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Discuss the ways in which climate change is affecting the frequency and intensity of storms worldwide.
- What measures can governments and individuals take to mitigate the impact of climate change on storm severity?
For this article, we’ll focus on the first prompt as it has the highest probability of appearing in future IELTS exams.
Analyzing the Essay Question
Some people believe that climate change is the main cause of increasingly severe storms. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This question requires you to express your opinion on the relationship between climate change and storm severity. You need to:
- Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
- Provide reasons and examples to support your stance
- Discuss any counterarguments if necessary
- Conclude by restating your main points
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change has become a pressing global issue, and its impact on weather patterns, particularly storm intensity, is a subject of growing concern. While some argue that climate change is the primary factor behind the increasing severity of storms, I largely agree with this viewpoint, although I believe other factors also play a role.
There is compelling evidence linking climate change to more severe storms. Firstly, rising global temperatures lead to warmer oceans, which provide more energy for hurricanes and tropical storms to intensify. For instance, the unprecedented strength of Hurricane Patricia in 2015, which became the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, has been attributed to unusually warm waters in the Eastern Pacific. Secondly, climate change is altering atmospheric conditions, creating more favorable environments for storm formation and intensification. The increased moisture content in warmer air fuels more powerful thunderstorms and contributes to heavier rainfall during extreme weather events.
Hurricane Patricia 2015
Moreover, climate change is affecting storm patterns in ways that exacerbate their impact. Sea level rise, a direct consequence of global warming, amplifies the destructive potential of storm surges. This was tragically demonstrated during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, where higher sea levels contributed to more extensive flooding in New York City and along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Additionally, some research suggests that climate change may be slowing the movement of hurricanes, allowing them to dump more rain and cause more damage in affected areas, as seen with Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
However, it would be an oversimplification to attribute the increasing severity of storms solely to climate change. Natural climate variability, such as El Niño and La Niña cycles, also influences storm patterns and intensity. Furthermore, improved storm detection and reporting systems may contribute to the perception of more severe storms, as we are now able to monitor and measure their intensity more accurately than in the past.
In conclusion, while climate change is not the only factor influencing storm severity, the overwhelming scientific consensus points to it being the main driver behind the trend of increasingly powerful storms. As we continue to witness the devastating impacts of these extreme weather events, it becomes clear that addressing climate change is crucial for mitigating future storm-related disasters.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about climate change and its effects on our planet. One of the most noticeable impacts is the increase in severe storms. I agree that climate change is a major cause of this problem, but I think there are other factors to consider as well.
Climate change is definitely making storms worse. As the Earth gets warmer, the oceans heat up too. This gives more energy to hurricanes and typhoons, making them stronger. For example, we’ve seen more Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in recent years, which cause a lot of damage. Also, warmer air can hold more water, which leads to heavier rainfall during storms. This can cause more flooding and landslides.
Hurricane Sandy Flooding in New York City
Another way climate change affects storms is through sea level rise. When the sea level is higher, storm surges can reach further inland and cause more flooding. This was seen during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which caused massive flooding in New York City.
However, I don’t think climate change is the only reason for more severe storms. Natural weather patterns like El Niño can also affect storm strength. Also, as more people live in coastal areas, the damage from storms might seem worse because it affects more people and property.
In conclusion, while I believe climate change is the main cause of increasingly severe storms, other factors also play a role. It’s important to address climate change to reduce the impact of future storms, but we should also consider other ways to protect ourselves from extreme weather.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
These days, many people talk about climate change and how it’s making storms worse. I think this is true, but I’m not sure if it’s the only reason.
Climate change is making the Earth warmer. When the planet gets hotter, it changes the weather. The oceans get warmer too, and this can make hurricanes and typhoons stronger. We’ve seen many big storms in recent years that have caused a lot of damage. For example, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was very destructive.
Another problem is that climate change is making sea levels go up. When the sea is higher, storms can push water further onto the land. This causes more flooding in coastal areas. It’s a big problem for people who live near the ocean.
Coastal Flooding from Storm Surge
But I think there might be other reasons why storms seem worse now. Maybe we just hear about them more because of the internet and TV news. Also, more people live in areas where storms happen, so when a storm comes, it affects more people.
In conclusion, I agree that climate change is making storms worse, but I’m not sure if it’s the only reason. We need to do more to stop climate change, but we should also think about other ways to protect ourselves from big storms.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position and well-developed ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Logically organized with a clear progression of ideas and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Wide range of structures used flexibly with rare minor errors.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, although some aspects are more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally well organized with some use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some errors in word choice and spelling.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors that do not impede communication.
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses the task but may be repetitive or lack focus in parts.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Overall coherent but may lack clear progression at times.
- Lexical Resource: Limited range of vocabulary, with noticeable errors in word choice and spelling.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Limited range of structures with frequent grammatical errors.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Climate change (noun) – /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ – Long-term shifts in global weather patterns and average temperatures
- Storm severity (noun phrase) – /stɔːrm sɪˈverəti/ – The intensity or strength of storms
- Global warming (noun) – /ˈɡləʊbəl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/ – The gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere
- Hurricane (noun) – /ˈhʌrɪkeɪn/ – A severe tropical storm with strong winds and heavy rain
- Sea level rise (noun phrase) – /siː ˈlevəl raɪz/ – The increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to global warming
- Storm surge (noun) – /stɔːm sɜːdʒ/ – An abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above predicted astronomical tides
- Atmospheric conditions (noun phrase) – /ætməsˈferɪk kənˈdɪʃənz/ – The state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place
- Natural climate variability (noun phrase) – /ˈnætʃrəl ˈklaɪmət ˌveəriəˈbɪləti/ – Natural fluctuations in climate that occur regardless of human influence
- Mitigation (noun) – /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/ – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
- Extreme weather events (noun phrase) – /ɪkˈstriːm ˈweðər ɪˈvents/ – Unusual, severe or unseasonal weather at the extremes of historical distributions
In conclusion, the relationship between climate change and storm severity is a crucial topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. By studying these sample essays and understanding the scoring criteria, you can improve your writing skills and prepare for similar questions. Remember to practice writing your own essays on this topic and related themes such as the impact of climate change on natural disasters or how climate change is affecting the tourism industry. You might also encounter questions about the role of space science in understanding climate change or how climate change affects global supply chains.
To further enhance your preparation, consider writing essays on these potential future topics:
- Discuss the economic impacts of increasingly severe storms due to climate change.
- What role should international cooperation play in addressing the global issue of climate change and its effects on weather patterns?
- How can cities better prepare for more frequent and intense storms in the era of climate change?
Feel free to practice writing essays on these topics and share them in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your IELTS Writing skills and prepare you for success in the exam.
