Climate change and its effects on freshwater resources have become increasingly prominent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the growing global concern over water scarcity, it’s highly likely that questions related to how climate change affects the global water supply will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS exams and analyze sample responses for different band scores.
Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question asks you to discuss two contrasting views on environmental problems and provide your own opinion. While it doesn’t directly mention climate change or freshwater resources, these topics can be effectively incorporated into your response. The question requires you to:
- Discuss the view that loss of biodiversity is the main environmental problem
- Discuss other environmental problems that some consider more important
- Give your own opinion on which view you agree with more
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change and biodiversity loss are undoubtedly two of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. While some argue that the extinction of plant and animal species is the primary concern, others contend that issues like global warming and water scarcity pose a more significant threat. In my opinion, these problems are deeply interconnected, and addressing climate change should be the top priority due to its far-reaching consequences on both biodiversity and water resources.
Those who prioritize biodiversity loss argue that the extinction of species disrupts ecosystems and threatens the delicate balance of nature. Each plant and animal plays a unique role in its habitat, and their disappearance can have cascading effects on food chains and ecological processes. Moreover, the loss of biodiversity reduces our potential for scientific discoveries, particularly in medicine, where many treatments have been derived from plants and animals.
On the other hand, proponents of focusing on other environmental issues, particularly climate change, argue that it poses a more existential threat to our planet. Global warming affects virtually every aspect of our environment, from rising sea levels to extreme weather events. Crucially, the impact of climate change on global water resources is becoming increasingly severe. Changing precipitation patterns, melting glaciers, and increased evaporation are altering the availability of freshwater worldwide, threatening both human populations and ecosystems.
In my view, while biodiversity loss is undoubtedly a critical issue, addressing climate change should take precedence. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, climate change is a primary driver of biodiversity loss, as shifting temperatures and weather patterns force species to adapt or face extinction. By tackling climate change, we indirectly combat biodiversity loss as well. Secondly, the impact of climate change on water resources has far-reaching consequences for both human societies and natural ecosystems. Water scarcity can lead to conflicts, food insecurity, and further environmental degradation, creating a vicious cycle of ecological destruction.
In conclusion, while the loss of plant and animal species is a significant concern, I believe that climate change, with its profound impact on biodiversity and water resources, represents the most pressing environmental challenge of our time. Addressing this issue requires a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop sustainable technologies, and adapt to the changes already set in motion.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
There is a debate about what is the biggest environmental problem today. Some people think it’s the loss of plants and animals, while others say there are more important issues. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, many people believe that losing different species of plants and animals is the main problem. They say that every living thing is important for nature. When animals or plants disappear, it can affect the whole ecosystem. Also, some of these species might have been useful for making new medicines or other discoveries that could help humans.
However, other people argue that there are bigger environmental problems to worry about. One of the most talked-about issues is climate change. How climate change is impacting water resources is a growing concern. Global warming is causing ice to melt, sea levels to rise, and weather patterns to change. This affects not only plants and animals but also humans. For example, some places are getting less rain, which makes it hard for farmers to grow food.
In my opinion, I think that climate change is the biggest environmental problem we face today. While losing plants and animals is sad and can have bad effects, climate change is causing problems for everyone and everything on Earth. It’s making some places too hot or too dry, which affects both nature and people. Also, climate change is one of the reasons why some plants and animals are disappearing.
To conclude, although the loss of species is a serious issue, I believe that climate change is a more urgent problem that needs our attention. It affects all aspects of the environment, including the survival of plants and animals, and has a big impact on human life too.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Some people think that the biggest environmental problem is losing plants and animals. Other people say there are more important problems. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
First, some people worry about plants and animals disappearing. They think this is very bad because all living things are important. When animals or plants are gone, it can change nature. Also, we might lose plants that could make new medicines.
But other people think there are bigger problems. They talk about things like pollution and global warming. These problems affect everyone, not just some plants and animals. For example, pollution makes the air dirty and hard to breathe. Global warming makes the weather change and can cause big storms.
I think that both ideas are important, but I agree more that there are bigger problems than just losing plants and animals. How does climate change impact freshwater availability? This is a very big problem that affects both nature and people. When the climate changes, it can make some places too dry, and then plants, animals, and people all suffer.
In conclusion, while losing plants and animals is bad, I think problems like pollution and climate change are more important because they affect everything on Earth. We need to work on these big problems to help the environment.
Explaining the Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a sophisticated approach to the topic. It:
- Presents a clear and well-developed argument
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately (e.g., “cascading effects,” “existential threat”)
- Employs complex sentence structures
- Provides specific examples and explanations
- Clearly links ideas and paragraphs
- Offers a nuanced opinion that acknowledges the interconnectedness of environmental issues
Band 6-7 Essay:
This essay shows good writing skills but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay. It:
- Addresses all parts of the task
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences
- Has generally good vocabulary use with some attempts at less common words
- Presents clear main ideas but with less detailed support
- Shows some ability to link ideas, but not as smoothly as the Band 8-9 essay
- Offers a clear opinion
Band 5-6 Essay:
This essay demonstrates basic writing skills and a simpler approach to the topic. It:
- Addresses the task but in a more limited way
- Uses mostly simple sentences and basic vocabulary
- Presents main ideas but with limited development or support
- Has some logical organization but may lack clear progression
- Offers a basic opinion
- Contains some errors in grammar and vocabulary that may occasionally obscure meaning
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Biodiversity (noun) – /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat
- Ecosystem (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ – a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
- Climate change (noun) – /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ – long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns
- Freshwater resources (noun phrase) – /freʃˈwɔːtə rɪˈsɔːsɪz/ – sources of water that are not salty, such as rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers
- Precipitation (noun) – /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn/ – rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground
- Evaporation (noun) – /ɪˌvæpəˈreɪʃn/ – the process of turning from liquid into vapor
- Water scarcity (noun phrase) – /ˈwɔːtə ˈskeəsəti/ – the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet water needs within a region
- Greenhouse gas emissions (noun phrase) – /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃnz/ – the release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, such as carbon dioxide
- Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources or causing ecological damage
- Adaptation (noun) – /ædæpˈteɪʃn/ – the process of changing to suit different conditions
In conclusion, the topic of climate change and its impact on freshwater resources is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Should there be a global initiative to address climate change? This could be another potential question you might encounter. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related topics such as water conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable development. Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, and support your arguments with specific examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.