Climate change and global warming have become pressing issues in recent years, making the topic of carbon emissions reduction a frequent subject in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on trends observed in past exams and the growing importance of environmental issues, it’s highly likely that questions related to international cooperation in reducing carbon emissions will continue to appear in future IELTS tests.
Let’s examine a relevant question that has been seen in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that the most effective way to reduce global carbon emissions is through international agreements between countries. Others think that individual actions are more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question asks you to discuss two contrasting views on how to reduce global carbon emissions:
- Through international agreements between countries
- Through individual actions
You are required to:
- Discuss both perspectives
- Provide your own opinion on which approach is more effective
The key elements to address in your response are:
- International cooperation and agreements
- Individual actions and their impact
- The effectiveness of each approach
- Your personal stance on the issue
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change is undoubtedly one of the most pressing issues of our time, and the debate on how to effectively reduce carbon emissions has gained significant traction. While some argue that international agreements are the key to addressing this global challenge, others believe that individual actions hold more weight. In my opinion, a combination of both approaches is necessary to achieve substantial and lasting reductions in carbon emissions.
International agreements between countries undeniably play a crucial role in combating climate change. These accords, such as the Paris Agreement, set global targets and provide a framework for nations to work together towards a common goal. By establishing unified standards and sharing resources and technologies, countries can tackle this global issue more effectively than they could individually. Moreover, international agreements can create economic incentives for countries to reduce their emissions, such as carbon trading schemes or penalties for non-compliance.
On the other hand, the importance of individual actions cannot be overlooked. Collective changes in personal behavior, such as adopting renewable energy sources, using public transportation, or reducing meat consumption, can significantly impact overall carbon emissions. Individual choices drive market demands, which in turn influence corporate policies and government regulations. Furthermore, grassroots movements and public awareness campaigns often stem from individual initiatives, creating a bottom-up pressure for change that can be more powerful and enduring than top-down policies.
In my view, the most effective approach to reducing global carbon emissions lies in the synergy between international cooperation and individual actions. While international agreements provide the necessary framework and motivation for countries to act, individual efforts ensure that these policies are implemented and embraced at the grassroots level. The interplay between global policies and personal choices creates a comprehensive strategy that addresses the issue from multiple angles.
In conclusion, both international agreements and individual actions are indispensable in the fight against climate change. By combining the strengths of both approaches, we can create a more robust and sustainable solution to reduce global carbon emissions. It is only through this collaborative effort, spanning from individual households to the global stage, that we can hope to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change and secure a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.
(Word count: 350)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring response:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “Paris Agreement” and “carbon trading schemes.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex sentence structures with high accuracy.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The issue of reducing global carbon emissions is very important today. Some people think that international agreements between countries are the best way to do this, while others believe individual actions are more important. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
International agreements can be very effective in reducing carbon emissions. When countries work together, they can set goals and create rules that everyone follows. This can lead to big changes because all countries are working towards the same thing. For example, the Paris Agreement helped many countries to start reducing their emissions. Also, when countries cooperate, they can share new technologies and ideas to help each other.
However, individual actions are also important. If everyone makes small changes in their daily life, it can add up to a big difference. Things like using less energy at home, recycling, or using public transport instead of driving can help reduce emissions. When many people do these things, it can influence companies and governments to make bigger changes.
In my opinion, both international agreements and individual actions are necessary to reduce carbon emissions effectively. Countries need to work together to create big policies and goals, but these policies won’t work unless individuals also change their behavior. We need a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches to really make a difference.
To conclude, while international agreements provide a framework for reducing emissions, individual actions are crucial for implementing these changes in everyday life. Both approaches have their strengths, and combining them is the best way to tackle the problem of global carbon emissions.
(Word count: 276)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the discussion and opinion could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: It uses a reasonable range of vocabulary, but lacks the precision and sophistication of higher band scores.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control, though there is less variety than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Development of Ideas: Main points are supported, but the examples and explanations are less detailed and nuanced compared to the higher band essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Carbon emissions (noun) – /ˈkɑːrbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
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International agreements (noun phrase) – /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl əˈɡriːmənts/ – Formal accords between countries.
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Grassroots movements (noun phrase) – /ˈɡræsruːts ˈmuːvmənts/ – Political or social campaigns driven by local communities.
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Synergy (noun) – /ˈsɪnərdʒi/ – The interaction of elements that, when combined, produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual elements.
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Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – To make less severe or serious.
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Framework (noun) – /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/ – A basic structure underlying a system or concept.
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Incentives (noun) – /ɪnˈsentɪvz/ – Things that motivate or encourage someone to do something.
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Compliance (noun) – /kəmˈplaɪəns/ – The action of following rules or requests.
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Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
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Collective (adjective) – /kəˈlektɪv/ – Done by people acting as a group.
In conclusion, the topic of international collaboration to reduce carbon emissions is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of developed vs. developing countries in reducing emissions
- The impact of technology on carbon reduction efforts
- The effectiveness of carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Feel free to practice by writing your own essay on this topic and sharing it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills and get feedback from others.