Climate change-driven migration and its global impacts have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. As the effects of climate change intensify, more people are forced to relocate, leading to significant social, economic, and environmental consequences worldwide. This article will provide sample essays and in-depth analysis to help you prepare for this crucial topic in your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam.
Analyzing the Topic and Its Relevance
Climate change-driven migration has been appearing more frequently in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions over the past few years. This trend is likely to continue as the issue becomes more pressing globally. Based on recent exam reports and analysis of past questions, we can expect this topic to appear in various forms, often focusing on the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to climate-induced displacement.
Let’s examine a sample question that reflects the complexity of this issue:
Climate change is causing people to migrate from their home countries to other nations. What are the causes of this migration? What problems does it create for the countries receiving these climate refugees?
Breaking Down the Question
This question requires candidates to address two main points:
- The causes of climate change-driven migration
- The problems faced by countries receiving climate refugees
A strong response should:
- Clearly identify and explain the causes of climate-induced migration
- Discuss the various challenges faced by receiving countries
- Provide specific examples to support your arguments
- Maintain a balanced perspective throughout the essay
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, along with analysis and explanations.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change has emerged as a significant driver of human migration in recent years, forcing people to leave their homes and seek refuge in other countries. This essay will explore the primary causes of this phenomenon and examine the challenges faced by nations receiving these climate refugees.
The main factors prompting climate-induced migration are the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and long-term environmental changes. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities and small island nations, making some areas uninhabitable. For instance, low-lying countries like the Maldives and Tuvalu are at risk of complete submersion in the coming decades. Additionally, prolonged droughts and desertification in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa are rendering agricultural land infertile, jeopardizing food security and livelihoods. These environmental pressures force people to relocate in search of safety and better economic opportunities.
The influx of climate refugees presents numerous challenges for receiving countries. Firstly, there is a significant strain on infrastructure and public services. Host nations must provide adequate housing, healthcare, and education for large numbers of displaced people, often stretching already limited resources. Secondly, the sudden population increase can lead to social tensions and cultural conflicts between refugees and local communities. This may result in discrimination, xenophobia, and social unrest if not managed carefully. Lastly, the economic impact on receiving countries can be substantial, as they must allocate funds for refugee assistance and integration programs, potentially diverting resources from other areas of national development.
In conclusion, climate change-driven migration is primarily caused by extreme weather events and long-term environmental degradation, forcing people to abandon their homes. The countries receiving these climate refugees face significant challenges in terms of resource allocation, social integration, and economic stability. As this issue continues to grow in scale and urgency, it is crucial for the international community to develop comprehensive strategies to address both the root causes of climate change and the needs of displaced populations.
Word count: 309
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, providing a clear and well-developed response to both the causes of climate-induced migration and the problems faced by receiving countries.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas flow logically, and appropriate linking words are used throughout.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and effectively. Examples include “uninhabitable,” “desertification,” “jeopardizing,” and “xenophobia.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences are used effectively without errors.
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Examples and Support: The essay provides specific examples to illustrate points, such as mentioning the Maldives and Tuvalu as countries at risk of submersion.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Climate change is making many people move from their home countries to other places. This essay will talk about why this is happening and what problems it causes for the countries that receive these people.
One of the main reasons people are moving because of climate change is that the weather is getting worse in many places. For example, some countries are having more floods and storms, which destroy homes and farms. Also, in some areas, it’s getting hotter and drier, making it hard to grow food. This means people can’t live in these places anymore and have to find new homes in other countries.
When people move to new countries because of climate change, it can cause problems for those countries. First, there might not be enough houses, schools, and hospitals for all the new people. This can make life difficult for both the newcomers and the people already living there. Second, sometimes the local people might not like having so many new people in their country. This can lead to arguments and fights between different groups. Lastly, it costs a lot of money to help the new people, which can be hard for the government to manage.
In conclusion, climate change is forcing people to move because of bad weather and environmental problems. The countries that receive these people face difficulties with providing services, dealing with social issues, and managing the costs. It’s important for countries to work together to solve these problems and help people affected by climate change.
Word count: 253
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good competence but falls short of the highest band scores:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses both parts of the question, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated. Paragraphing is appropriate.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate but less varied and precise compared to the higher band essay. There is some attempt at using less common vocabulary (e.g., “newcomers”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. However, the range is more limited than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Examples and Support: The essay provides some examples, but they are more general and less specific compared to the higher band essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Climate refugee (noun) /ˈklaɪmət ˈrefjʊdʒiː/ – A person forced to leave their home due to climate change effects.
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Desertification (noun) /dɪˌzɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ – The process by which fertile land becomes desert.
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Submersion (noun) /səbˈmɜːʃn/ – The action of submerging or the state of being submerged.
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Uninhabitable (adjective) /ˌʌnɪnˈhæbɪtəbl/ – Not suitable for living in.
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Xenophobia (noun) /ˌzenəˈfəʊbiə/ – Dislike or prejudice against people from other countries.
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Influx (noun) /ˈɪnflʌks/ – An arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things.
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Jeopardize (verb) /ˈdʒepədaɪz/ – Put at risk or in danger.
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Displacement (noun) /dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ – The act of moving someone or something from their usual place.
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Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – The action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something.
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Adaptation (noun) /ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/ – The process of changing to suit different conditions.
Conclusion
Climate change-driven migration is a complex and increasingly important topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. To excel in essays on this subject, it’s crucial to understand the causes and consequences of climate-induced displacement, as well as the challenges faced by both migrants and receiving countries. Practice writing essays on related topics, such as:
- The role of international cooperation in addressing climate change migration
- The economic impacts of climate-induced displacement on developing countries
- Strategies for integrating climate refugees into host communities
Remember to use a range of vocabulary, provide specific examples, and maintain a clear structure in your essays. Feel free to practice writing an essay on the sample question provided and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.