Rising sea levels and their impact on coastal cities have become increasingly prominent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This theme reflects the growing global concern about climate change and its effects on urban areas. Based on recent trends, we can expect this subject to appear more frequently in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS tests:

Some people believe that in the future, coastal cities will be submerged due to rising sea levels. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Analyzing the Question

This question requires candidates to express their opinion on the potential future impact of rising sea levels on coastal cities. Key points to consider:

1. The statement presents a prediction about the future.
2. It focuses specifically on coastal cities.
3. The phrase “will be submerged” suggests complete flooding or disappearance of these cities.
4. Candidates must clearly state their level of agreement or disagreement.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Climate change and its consequences have been at the forefront of global discussions for decades, with rising sea levels posing a significant threat to coastal regions. While I agree that coastal cities face severe risks from increasing sea levels, I don’t believe that complete submersion is an inevitable outcome for all such urban areas.

Undoubtedly, many coastal cities are already experiencing the effects of rising sea levels. Venice, for instance, has seen an increase in flooding events, while low-lying islands in the Pacific are gradually losing habitable land. These examples illustrate the very real danger posed by climate change to coastal regions. Furthermore, scientific projections indicate that sea levels could rise by several meters over the next century, potentially inundating vast swathes of coastal land.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that not all coastal cities are equally vulnerable, and many are taking proactive measures to mitigate the risks. Cities like Rotterdam in the Netherlands have implemented innovative flood defense systems, including floating structures and water plazas, demonstrating that adaptation is possible. Similarly, New York City has developed a comprehensive coastal resilience plan that includes elevating critical infrastructure and constructing sea walls. These examples show that with proper planning and investment, coastal cities can enhance their resilience to rising sea levels.

Moreover, global efforts to combat climate change, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit temperature increases and, consequently, sea level rise. If successful, these initiatives could significantly reduce the threat to coastal areas. The impact of rising sea levels on coastal cities may be severe, but it’s not necessarily a death sentence for all urban coastal regions.

In conclusion, while the threat of rising sea levels to coastal cities is undeniable and severe, I disagree that all such cities will be submerged in the future. The combination of adaptive measures, technological advancements, and global climate action offers hope that many coastal urban areas can survive and even thrive in the face of this challenge. However, it’s clear that urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable communities and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

A coastal city implementing adaptive measures against rising sea levels

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The issue of rising sea levels and its impact on coastal cities is a hot topic these days. While some people think that these cities will be completely underwater in the future, I partially agree with this statement.

There are several reasons why coastal cities might be at risk of flooding. Firstly, global warming is causing ice caps to melt, which leads to higher sea levels. This means that low-lying areas near the coast could be flooded more often. For example, cities like Miami in the USA are already experiencing more frequent flooding during high tides. Secondly, many big cities are built on land that is sinking, which makes the problem even worse.

However, I don’t think all coastal cities will disappear underwater. Many countries are working hard to protect their cities from rising sea levels. They are building sea walls, improving drainage systems, and creating plans to move people to safer areas if needed. Also, there are efforts to reduce global warming, which could slow down the rise in sea levels. If these efforts are successful, it might give coastal cities more time to adapt.

The effect of climate change on coastal cities is complex and varies from place to place. Some cities might be more at risk than others, depending on their location and how well they can protect themselves.

In conclusion, while rising sea levels are a serious threat to coastal cities, I don’t fully agree that all of them will be submerged in the future. It’s a big challenge, but with good planning and global cooperation, many cities might be able to survive. However, it’s clear that we need to take this problem seriously and act quickly to protect vulnerable areas.

Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)

Nowadays, many people worry about coastal cities because of rising sea levels. Some think these cities will be under water in the future. I agree with this idea to some extent.

First, it’s true that sea levels are going up. This is because of global warming, which makes ice melt and oceans get bigger. Many scientists say this is a big problem for cities near the sea. For example, some small islands in the Pacific Ocean are already losing land because of high water.

Also, a lot of big cities are built very close to the sea. This means they could be in danger if the water keeps rising. Some cities like Venice in Italy already have problems with flooding. If the sea level goes up more, these problems could get worse.

But I don’t think all coastal cities will disappear under water. Some countries are trying to protect their cities. They are building walls to stop the water and making plans to move people if needed. Also, people are trying to stop global warming, which could help slow down the rise of sea levels.

How can cities become more environmentally friendly is an important question that many places are thinking about. This could help them deal with problems like rising sea levels.

In conclusion, I think rising sea levels are a serious problem for coastal cities. Some cities might have big trouble with flooding in the future. But I don’t think all of them will be completely under water. We need to work hard to protect these cities and stop the sea levels from rising too much.

A coastal city facing challenges due to rising sea levels

Explaining the Scores

Band 8-9 Essay:

• Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position throughout. Presents, extends, and supports main ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Skillfully manages paragraphing with a clear central topic in each paragraph. Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately.
• Lexical Resource: Uses a wide range of vocabulary naturally and flexibly. Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’.

Band 6-7 Essay:

• Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others. Presents a relevant position.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression. Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical.
• Lexical Resource: Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication.

Band 5-6 Essay:

• Task Response: Addresses the task only partially. The format may be inappropriate in places. Expresses a position but development is not always clear.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression. Makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource: Uses a limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task. May make noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation that may cause some difficulty for the reader.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses only a limited range of structures. Attempts complex sentences but these tend to be less accurate than simple sentences. May make frequent grammatical errors; errors can cause some difficulty for the reader.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Sea level rise (noun phrase) – /siː ˈlevəl raɪz/ – The increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to global warming.

2. Coastal erosion (noun phrase) – /ˈkəʊstl ɪˈrəʊʒn/ – The wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, drainage, or high winds.

3. Inundate (verb) – /ˈɪnʌndeɪt/ – To flood or cover with water.

4. Mitigation (noun) – /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

5. Resilience (noun) – /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

6. Adaptation (noun) – /ædəpˈteɪʃn/ – The action or process of adapting or being adapted to something.

7. Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

8. Vulnerability (noun) – /ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪləti/ – The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

9. Proactive (adjective) – /prəʊˈæktɪv/ – Creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened.

10. Global warming (noun phrase) – /ˈɡləʊbl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/ – The gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

The effects of global warming on natural habitats is another crucial aspect to consider when discussing the impact of climate change on coastal regions.

In conclusion, the impact of rising sea levels on coastal cities is a complex and pressing issue that is likely to feature prominently in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare effectively, candidates should familiarize themselves with the key concepts, vocabulary, and real-world examples related to this topic. Practice writing essays on this theme, considering various perspectives and potential solutions. Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples.

We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the given topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for the IELTS exam. Additionally, you might want to explore related topics such as the impact of climate change on the global economy to broaden your understanding of environmental issues and their societal impacts.