Environmental sustainability has become a pressing global concern, and education plays a crucial role in promoting awareness and action. This topic has appeared frequently in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams and is likely to continue being a popular subject. Based on past exam trends and current environmental issues, here are some potential questions you might encounter:
Some people believe that environmental problems are too big for individuals to solve. Instead, governments and large companies should be responsible for reducing environmental damage. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
This question asks for your opinion on who should be responsible for solving environmental problems. It presents two viewpoints:
- Environmental issues are too large for individuals to address.
- Governments and large companies should be the ones responsible.
You need to decide whether you agree or disagree with this statement and to what extent. Your essay should discuss both individual actions and the role of governments/companies in environmental protection.
Band 8 Sample Essay
Environmental Education Class
Environmental degradation is undoubtedly one of the most pressing issues of our time, and the question of who bears the responsibility for addressing it is a matter of intense debate. While it is true that governments and large corporations wield significant power and resources to combat environmental problems, I firmly believe that individuals also play a crucial role in this endeavor. Therefore, I partially agree with the statement that environmental issues are too big for individuals to solve alone, but I disagree that the responsibility should fall solely on governments and companies.
Governments and large companies undeniably have a substantial impact on the environment and possess the means to implement large-scale changes. For instance, governments can enact and enforce stricter environmental regulations, invest in renewable energy infrastructure, and provide incentives for eco-friendly practices. Similarly, multinational corporations can revolutionize their production processes to reduce carbon emissions, invest in sustainable technologies, and influence global supply chains. The sheer scale of their operations means that any positive changes they make can have far-reaching effects on the environment.
However, it would be a grave mistake to discount the power of individual action. Collectively, the choices and behaviors of billions of people can create a significant impact on the environment. From daily habits like recycling and reducing energy consumption to making informed consumer choices that support sustainable products, individuals can drive market demands and influence corporate practices. Moreover, grassroots movements and community initiatives often spark larger societal changes and can pressure governments and companies to take action.
Education plays a pivotal role in empowering individuals to contribute to environmental sustainability. By raising awareness about environmental issues and teaching sustainable practices from an early age, we can cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious citizens. These informed individuals are more likely to make eco-friendly choices in their personal lives and support policies and businesses that prioritize sustainability.
In conclusion, while the scale of environmental problems does require the involvement of governments and large companies, the solution lies in a collaborative effort involving all sectors of society. Individuals, through their collective actions and choices, can create a groundswell of change that complements and drives larger institutional efforts. By recognizing the interconnected nature of environmental responsibility, we can forge a more effective and comprehensive approach to addressing the ecological challenges we face.
(Word count: 378)
Essay Analysis (Band 8)
This essay would likely score a Band 8 due to its:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a well-developed argument.
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Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Some less common phrases are used, such as “grassroots movements” and “groundswell of change”.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A variety of complex structures are used accurately. There are no noticeable errors, and the essay demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-elaborated with relevant examples and explanations.
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
Environmental problems are indeed complex and widespread, making many people believe that they are too big for individuals to solve. While I agree that governments and large companies have a significant role to play in reducing environmental damage, I disagree that individuals should be excluded from this responsibility.
Governments and big corporations certainly have more power and resources to tackle environmental issues on a large scale. For example, governments can create laws to limit pollution and protect natural areas. They can also invest in clean energy projects. Big companies can change their production methods to be more eco-friendly and use their influence to promote green practices throughout their supply chains.
However, individual actions are also important and can make a real difference when combined. People can reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport, recycling, and saving energy at home. These small actions, when done by millions of people, can have a big impact. Also, individuals can influence companies by choosing to buy environmentally friendly products, which encourages businesses to become more sustainable.
Education is key to empowering individuals to take action. Schools should teach students about environmental issues and how they can help. This knowledge will help create a generation that cares about the environment and knows how to protect it.
In conclusion, while governments and large companies have a major role in solving environmental problems, individuals should not be overlooked. A combination of efforts from all parts of society is necessary to effectively address environmental challenges. Everyone has a part to play in protecting our planet.
(Word count: 261)
Essay Analysis (Band 6.5)
This essay would likely score a Band 6.5 due to:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses the main parts of the task and presents a clear position, but the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but some links between ideas could be smoother.
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Lexical Resource: There is a sufficient range of vocabulary, but it lacks the sophistication of higher band scores. Some attempts at less common vocabulary are made (e.g., “carbon footprint”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used, with generally good control. There are no major errors that impede understanding.
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Development of Ideas: Main points are supported, but the examples and explanations could be more detailed and specific.
Key Vocabulary
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Environmental sustainability (noun) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources.
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Carbon footprint (noun) – /ˈkɑːrbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.
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Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˈiːkoʊ ˈfrendli/ – Not harmful to the environment.
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Renewable energy (noun) – /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenərdʒi/ – Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
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Grassroots movement (noun) – /ˈɡræsruːts ˈmuːvmənt/ – A movement that starts at the local level and spreads to become larger.
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Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
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Biodiversity (noun) – /ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜːrsəti/ – The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
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Conservation (noun) – /ˌkɑːnsərˈveɪʃn/ – The protection of plants, animals, and natural areas.
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Ecosystem (noun) – /ˈiːkoʊsɪstəm/ – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
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Carbon emissions (noun) – /ˈkɑːrbən ɪˈmɪʃnz/ – The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, especially as a result of burning fossil fuels.
Conclusion
The topic of environmental sustainability in education is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of schools in promoting environmental awareness
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection
- Individual vs. collective responsibility for climate change
- The impact of technology on environmental conservation
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and complex sentences, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS writing skills and prepare for the exam.
