Carbon taxes have become a hot topic in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, reflecting the global concern over climate change and environmental policies. This essay type has appeared multiple times in the past few years, and its frequency is likely to increase given the growing importance of environmental issues. Let’s explore some sample questions and provide expert essay responses for different band scores.
Carbon Tax Concept
Analyzing the Question
For this article, we’ll focus on the following question, which is representative of the types of prompts you might encounter in the IELTS Writing Task 2:
Some people believe that imposing taxes on carbon emissions is the best way to reduce air pollution and combat climate change. Others argue that there are more effective methods to address these environmental issues. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the viewpoint that carbon taxes are the most effective method to reduce pollution and fight climate change.
- Explore alternative methods that could be more effective.
- Provide your own opinion on the matter.
Let’s examine sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-scoring response.
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Response
Climate change and air pollution are pressing global issues that demand immediate action. While some advocate for carbon taxes as the primary solution, others contend that alternative approaches may be more effective. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of carbon taxes argue that this fiscal measure directly targets the root cause of pollution by making carbon-intensive activities more expensive. By increasing the cost of fossil fuels and energy-intensive products, carbon taxes incentivize businesses and consumers to seek cleaner alternatives. For instance, a study by the World Bank found that Sweden’s carbon tax, implemented in 1991, has led to a 25% reduction in emissions while its economy grew by 60% over the same period. This demonstrates the potential effectiveness of well-designed carbon pricing mechanisms.
However, critics of this approach point out that there are other, potentially more effective methods to combat environmental degradation. They argue that investment in renewable energy technologies, stricter regulations on industrial emissions, and public education campaigns could yield more significant results. For example, Germany’s Energiewende policy, which focuses on transitioning to renewable energy sources, has resulted in a substantial decrease in carbon emissions without relying primarily on taxation.
In my opinion, while carbon taxes can be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, they should be part of a comprehensive strategy rather than the sole solution. A multi-faceted approach that combines carbon pricing with investments in clean technology, robust regulations, and public awareness campaigns is likely to be most effective. This balanced strategy would address the issue from multiple angles, ensuring that both producers and consumers are motivated to reduce their carbon footprint.
In conclusion, although carbon taxes have proven effective in some contexts, a holistic approach that incorporates various methods is necessary to adequately address the complex challenges of air pollution and climate change. By implementing a diverse range of measures, we can create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for generations to come.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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 (“While”, “However”, “For instance”, “In my opinion”).
Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (“incentivize”, “carbon-intensive activities”, “multi-faceted approach”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly (“While some advocate for…”, “By increasing the cost of…”, “This demonstrates the potential effectiveness of…”).
Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Response
Many people think that putting taxes on carbon emissions is the best way to reduce air pollution and fight climate change. Others believe there are better ways to solve these environmental problems. This essay will discuss both ideas and give my opinion.
People who support carbon taxes say it’s a good way to make companies and people use less fossil fuels. When the price of things that cause pollution goes up, people will try to find cleaner options. For example, if gasoline becomes more expensive because of a carbon tax, more people might start using electric cars or public transport. This could help reduce air pollution in cities.
On the other hand, some people think there are better ways to protect the environment. They say that governments should invest more money in clean energy like solar and wind power. They also think that making stricter laws about pollution from factories could work better than taxes. For instance, China has been trying to reduce air pollution by closing down old factories and building more solar panels.
In my opinion, I think we need to use both carbon taxes and other methods to solve environmental problems. Taxes can help change people’s behavior, but we also need to invest in new technologies and have strong laws to protect the environment. By using different approaches together, we can make bigger changes and reduce pollution more effectively.
To conclude, while carbon taxes can be helpful, I believe that a combination of different methods is the best way to reduce air pollution and fight climate change. We need to use many different tools to create a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.
(Word count: 272)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but falls short of the highest band scores:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the ideas could be more fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated (“On the other hand”, “For example”, “In my opinion”).
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate but less varied compared to the Band 8-9 essay (“good way”, “better ways”, “helpful”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences but lacks the sophistication of the higher band essay.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant but could be supported with more specific examples or data.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Carbon emissions (noun): The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/Incentivize (verb): To motivate or encourage someone to do something.
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/Fossil fuels (noun): A natural fuel formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
Pronunciation: /ˈfɒsəl fjuːəlz/Renewable energy (noun): Energy from a source that is not depleted when used.
Pronunciation: /rɪˈnjuːəbəl ˈenədʒi/Multi-faceted (adjective): Having many different aspects or features.
Pronunciation: /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/Carbon footprint (noun): The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.
Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/Sustainability (noun): The ability to maintain at a certain rate or level.
Pronunciation: /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/
Conclusion
The topic of carbon taxes and their effectiveness in reducing emissions is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of individual actions versus government policies in combating climate change
- The economic impacts of environmental regulations on businesses and consumers
- The effectiveness of international agreements in addressing global environmental issues
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and consider sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.
For more practice and insights on IELTS Writing Task 2, you might find these resources helpful: