Environmental protection has become a critical global concern in recent years, with the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters highlighting the urgent need for international cooperation. This topic has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in various forms over the past few years. Given its relevance and importance, it’s highly likely that questions related to international collaboration for environmental protection will continue to feature prominently in future IELTS exams.
Let’s examine a sample question that closely mirrors those seen in recent IELTS tests:
Some people believe that countries should work together to tackle environmental issues, while others think each country should deal with these problems individually. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question presents a classic IELTS Writing Task 2 format, asking candidates to discuss two contrasting viewpoints and provide their own perspective. The key elements to address are:
- The view that countries should collaborate on environmental issues
- The opposing view that countries should handle these problems independently
- Your personal opinion on which approach is more effective
It’s crucial to provide balanced arguments for both sides before stating and justifying your own stance.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Environmental challenges have become increasingly global in nature, prompting debate on whether nations should address these issues collaboratively or independently. While both approaches have their merits, I firmly believe that international cooperation is essential for effective environmental protection.
Proponents of individual national efforts argue that each country has unique environmental circumstances and should therefore tailor its solutions accordingly. They contend that this approach allows for more efficient decision-making and implementation of policies, as governments can act swiftly without the need for complex international negotiations. For instance, a country facing severe deforestation might implement stringent logging regulations and reforestation programs specific to its terrain and climate.
However, the interconnected nature of our planet’s ecosystems makes a compelling case for international collaboration. Environmental issues such as climate change, ocean pollution, and air quality degradation transcend national borders, requiring coordinated global action for meaningful impact. The Paris Agreement exemplifies this approach, with countries worldwide setting collective goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, collaboration allows for the sharing of resources, technology, and expertise, particularly beneficial for developing nations that may lack the capacity to address environmental challenges independently.
In my opinion, while individual national efforts are important, international cooperation is crucial for tackling global environmental issues effectively. The scale and complexity of problems like climate change necessitate a united global response. Countries can still implement tailored policies within the framework of international agreements, ensuring both local relevance and global impact. Furthermore, collaborative efforts foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability, encouraging nations to uphold their commitments to environmental protection.
In conclusion, while there is merit in individual national approaches, the global nature of environmental challenges demands international cooperation. By working together, countries can pool resources, share knowledge, and implement comprehensive strategies to address environmental issues more effectively than they could alone.
(Word count: 298)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates several key features that contribute to its high band score:
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Clear structure: The essay follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs discussing both views, and a conclusion.
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Balanced argument: Both perspectives are presented and supported with examples before the writer’s opinion is given.
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Cohesion and coherence: The essay uses a range of cohesive devices and clear paragraphing to ensure a smooth flow of ideas.
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Lexical resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “deforestation,” “greenhouse gas emissions,” and “Paris Agreement.”
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Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay demonstrates a variety of complex sentence structures with minimal errors.
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Task response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, providing a well-developed response with a clear position.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, environmental problems have become a big concern for many countries. Some people think that countries should work together to solve these issues, while others believe each country should handle them on their own. In my opinion, cooperation between countries is the best way to deal with environmental problems.
Those who support individual country efforts say that each nation has its own unique environmental challenges. They think that governments can make decisions faster and implement policies more easily without having to discuss with other countries. For example, if a country has a problem with water pollution in its rivers, it can quickly make laws to stop factories from dumping waste into the water.
On the other hand, people who favor international cooperation argue that many environmental issues affect the whole world, not just one country. Problems like global warming and air pollution don’t stop at borders, so countries need to work together to solve them. When countries cooperate, they can share ideas, technology, and resources. This is especially helpful for poorer countries that might not have the money or knowledge to tackle big environmental problems on their own.
I believe that working together is the best approach because environmental issues are often too big for one country to handle alone. When countries join forces, they can make bigger changes and have a greater impact. For instance, the Paris Agreement shows how countries can set goals together to reduce pollution and fight climate change. However, I also think that countries should still have some freedom to make their own policies that fit their specific situations.
In conclusion, while there are benefits to countries dealing with environmental issues individually, I think international cooperation is more effective. By working together, countries can share resources and knowledge to better protect our planet for future generations.
(Word count: 293)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates features typical of a Band 6-7 response:
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Structure: The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, the development of ideas is less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Task response: All parts of the task are addressed, but the discussion of the two views and the writer’s opinion could be more fully developed.
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Cohesion and coherence: The essay uses some cohesive devices, but there’s room for improvement in the overall flow of ideas.
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Lexical resource: The vocabulary used is generally appropriate, but less varied and precise compared to the higher band essay.
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Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors that do not impede communication.
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Examples: The essay provides some examples, but they could be more specific and detailed to support the arguments more effectively.
Key Vocabulary
- Environmental challenges (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/ – Problems or issues related to the environment
- Collaboration (noun) – /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/ – The act of working together to produce something
- Deforestation (noun) – /diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/ – The action of clearing a wide area of trees
- Greenhouse gas emissions (noun phrase) – /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃnz/ – The release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect
- Transcend (verb) – /trænˈsend/ – To go beyond the usual limits of something
- Ecosystem (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/ – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
- Implement (verb) – /ˈɪmplɪment/ – To put a plan or system into action
- Stringent (adjective) – /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ – Strict, precise, and exacting
- Reforestation (noun) – /riːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/ – The process of planting trees in an area where there used to be a forest
- Accountability (noun) – /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ – The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility
Conclusion
The topic of international collaboration for environmental protection is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. Future questions might explore specific aspects of this collaboration, such as:
- The role of developed countries in helping developing nations address environmental issues
- The effectiveness of international environmental agreements
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection in a global context
To prepare for such topics, practice writing essays that discuss the benefits and challenges of international cooperation, provide specific examples of successful collaborations, and consider the potential drawbacks of relying too heavily on global initiatives versus local actions.
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 with other learners. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.