Climate change and its impact on human health, particularly respiratory health, is a topic of growing concern worldwide. This issue has been increasingly appearing in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, reflecting its global significance. Based on recent trends, we can expect to see more questions related to this theme in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a sample question and provide model essays to help you prepare for this topic.
Analyzing the Task
Some people believe that climate change is the biggest threat to respiratory health in the 21st century. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question asks for your opinion on whether climate change is the most significant threat to respiratory health in our current century. To answer effectively, you need to:
- Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
- Provide reasons and examples to support your stance
- Consider counterarguments if applicable
- Conclude by reinforcing your main points
Let’s look at two sample essays addressing this question, one aiming for a Band 8-9 score and another for a Band 6-7 score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change is increasingly recognized as a major global health threat, with its effects on respiratory health being particularly concerning. While I largely agree that it poses a significant risk to respiratory well-being in the 21st century, I believe it is one of several major threats rather than the singular biggest threat.
Undoubtedly, climate change has profound implications for respiratory health. Rising temperatures and altered weather patterns contribute to increased air pollution, a key factor in respiratory diseases. For instance, higher temperatures accelerate the formation of ground-level ozone, a major irritant to the lungs. Furthermore, climate-driven events such as wildfires release vast amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere, exacerbating conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution, partly driven by climate change, causes millions of premature deaths annually, many due to respiratory issues.
However, it would be an oversimplification to label climate change as the sole biggest threat to respiratory health. Other significant factors, such as smoking, occupational hazards, and indoor air pollution, continue to pose substantial risks. Tobacco use, for instance, remains a leading cause of respiratory diseases worldwide. Additionally, in many developing countries, indoor air pollution from cooking with solid fuels is a major health concern, affecting millions of people daily.
That being said, the pervasive nature of climate change amplifies its threat to respiratory health. Unlike localized issues, climate change affects air quality on a global scale, potentially impacting even those who don’t engage in high-risk behaviors like smoking. Moreover, its effects are long-term and potentially irreversible, making it a uniquely challenging threat to address.
In conclusion, while climate change is undoubtedly a major threat to respiratory health in the 21st century, it is part of a complex web of factors affecting lung health globally. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that considers climate change alongside other significant risk factors to ensure comprehensive protection of respiratory health worldwide.
(Word count: 309)
Climate change impact on respiratory health
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
I mostly agree that climate change is a very big threat to respiratory health in our century. There are several reasons why I think this is true, but I also believe there are other important factors to consider.
Firstly, climate change is causing more extreme weather events like heatwaves and wildfires. These events create a lot of air pollution, which is bad for our lungs. For example, during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, many people had breathing problems because of the smoke. This shows how climate change can directly affect our ability to breathe healthy air.
Secondly, warmer temperatures caused by climate change can increase the amount of allergens in the air, like pollen. This is particularly bad for people with asthma or allergies. As the climate changes, plants may produce more pollen for longer periods, making allergy seasons worse and longer.
However, while climate change is a big problem for respiratory health, I don’t think it’s the only major threat. Smoking is still a very serious issue that causes many lung problems. Also, in some countries, air pollution from factories and cars is a big problem that isn’t directly related to climate change.
On the other hand, climate change makes many of these existing problems worse. For instance, it can make air pollution from cars and factories even more harmful because hot temperatures can trap pollutants close to the ground.
In conclusion, I believe climate change is one of the biggest threats to respiratory health in the 21st century, but not the only one. It’s important to address climate change to protect our lungs, but we also need to tackle other issues like smoking and industrial pollution at the same time.
(Word count: 273)
Writing Tips for This Topic
When addressing topics related to climate change and respiratory health, consider the following tips:
Vocabulary
Use a range of relevant vocabulary to demonstrate your understanding of the topic. Some key terms include:
- Respiratory health (noun): Health related to breathing and the lungs
- Climate change (noun): Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns
- Air pollution (noun): Contamination of air by harmful substances
- Particulate matter (noun): Tiny particles in the air that can be harmful when inhaled
- Exacerbate /ɪɡˈzæsərbeit/ (verb): To make a problem or situation worse
- Chronic /ˈkrɒnɪk/ (adjective): Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
- Allergen /ˈælədʒən/ (noun): A substance that causes an allergic reaction
Grammar
For a high band score, demonstrate your ability to use a variety of complex structures:
- Conditional sentences: “If climate change continues at its current rate, respiratory health issues could become more prevalent.”
- Passive voice: “Respiratory health is significantly affected by climate change-induced air pollution.”
- Relative clauses: “Climate change, which is largely driven by human activities, poses a significant threat to respiratory health.”
Structure
Ensure your essay has a clear structure:
- Introduction: Clearly state your position on the question
- Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on one main idea with supporting examples
- Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your position
Remember to use linking words to connect your ideas smoothly and logically.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Respiratory system (noun) /rɪˈspɪrətəri ˈsɪstəm/: The organs involved in breathing
- Greenhouse gases (noun) /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ˈɡæsɪz/: Gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere
- Ozone (noun) /ˈəʊzəʊn/: A form of oxygen that can be harmful to breathe
- Asthma (noun) /ˈæsmə/: A condition causing difficulty in breathing
- COPD (noun) /siː əʊ piː diː/: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a group of lung diseases
- Pollen (noun) /ˈpɒlən/: A fine powder produced by plants that can cause allergies
- Smog (noun) /smɒɡ/: A type of air pollution, often seen as a haze in the air
- Bronchitis (noun) /brɒŋˈkaɪtɪs/: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs
Conclusion
Climate change and its impact on respiratory health is a complex and increasingly relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the key issues and practicing with sample essays like those provided, you can improve your ability to address this subject effectively in your exam.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of government in mitigating climate change’s health impacts
- The economic costs of climate change-related respiratory diseases
- The effectiveness of international agreements in addressing climate change and public health
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for your IELTS exam.
For more information on related topics, you might find these articles helpful:
- How Climate Change Impacts Public Health
- The Impact of Climate Change on Public Health
- The Role of Public Health in Preventing Disease
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is practice and preparation. Good luck with your studies!
