Climate change and its effects on wildlife habitats is a pressing global issue that has become increasingly relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This topic has appeared in various forms over the past few years and is likely to remain a common theme in future exams. How does climate change affect global biodiversity is a closely related subject that often intersects with the impact on wildlife habitats. Based on recent trends, we can expect to see questions addressing different aspects of this environmental concern. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Climate change is having a significant impact on wildlife habitats around the world. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures can be taken to address it?
Analyzing the Question
This question is a typical problem-solution essay that requires candidates to:
- Identify the main causes of climate change affecting wildlife habitats
- Propose measures to address the issue
It’s crucial to address both parts of the question equally to achieve a high band score. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, starting with a Band 8-9 level response.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with far-reaching consequences for wildlife habitats globally. This essay will explore the primary factors contributing to this issue and suggest potential solutions to mitigate its impact.
The main causes of climate change’s detrimental effect on wildlife habitats are predominantly human-induced. Firstly, the burning of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation releases enormous amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to global warming. This temperature increase alters ecosystems, forcing species to adapt or migrate to survive. Secondly, deforestation, often driven by agricultural expansion and urbanization, not only destroys habitats directly but also reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, exacerbating the greenhouse effect. Lastly, industrial pollution, including the release of toxic chemicals and plastic waste, contaminates natural environments, making them inhospitable for many species.
To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. One crucial measure is the transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. This shift would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of global warming. Additionally, implementing stricter regulations on deforestation and promoting reforestation initiatives can help preserve existing habitats and create new ones. Governments and organizations should also focus on establishing and expanding protected areas to safeguard critical ecosystems and the species they support.
Furthermore, promoting sustainable practices in industries and agriculture can minimize pollution and habitat destruction. This includes adopting eco-friendly technologies, reducing chemical use, and implementing responsible waste management systems. Public awareness campaigns and education programs can also play a vital role in fostering a collective sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
In conclusion, while the impact of climate change on wildlife habitats is severe, there are concrete steps that can be taken to mitigate this crisis. By addressing the root causes through renewable energy adoption, habitat protection, and sustainable practices, we can work towards preserving biodiversity and ensuring a healthier planet for future generations. The success of these measures will depend on global cooperation and a commitment to prioritizing environmental conservation in policy-making and individual actions.
(Word count: 352)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that justify a Band 8-9 score:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, providing a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices and paragraphing effectively.
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Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Some examples include:
- “far-reaching consequences”
- “detrimental effect”
- “exacerbating the greenhouse effect”
- “multi-faceted approach”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It uses complex sentences without any noticeable errors.
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Climate change is having a big impact on wildlife habitats all over the world. This essay will discuss the main reasons for this problem and suggest some ways to solve it.
One of the biggest causes of climate change affecting wildlife is the burning of fossil fuels. When we use coal, oil, and gas for energy and transportation, it releases a lot of greenhouse gases into the air. This makes the Earth warmer, which changes the places where animals live. Another important cause is cutting down forests. When we remove trees for farming or building cities, we destroy animal homes and also reduce the Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
To address this problem, we need to take several actions. First, we should use more renewable energy like solar and wind power. This would help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we produce. We should also plant more trees and protect existing forests. This can help create new homes for animals and absorb more carbon dioxide from the air. The effects of climate change on the tourism industry are also significant, so promoting eco-tourism could raise awareness about wildlife conservation.
Another solution is to educate people about the importance of protecting nature. If more people understand how their actions affect wildlife, they might be more willing to make changes in their daily lives. Governments can also help by making laws to protect endangered species and their habitats.
In conclusion, climate change is harming wildlife habitats mainly due to fossil fuel use and deforestation. By using cleaner energy, protecting forests, and educating people, we can help solve this problem. It’s important for everyone to work together to protect our planet and its animals.
(Word count: 287)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates qualities that justify a Band 6-7 score:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some parts are more fully extended than others.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: It uses an adequate range of vocabulary, though with less precision and sophistication than the higher band essay. Some good uses include:
- “greenhouse gases”
- “renewable energy”
- “endangered species”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, though not as varied as the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Biodiversity (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/: The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
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Ecosystem (noun) /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
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Deforestation (noun) /diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/: The action of clearing a wide area of trees.
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Greenhouse gases (noun) /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ˌɡæsɪz/: Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation.
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Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/: The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
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Renewable energy (noun) /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/: Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
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Habitat fragmentation (noun) /ˈhæbɪtæt ˌfræɡmənˈteɪʃn/: The process by which habitat loss results in the division of large, continuous habitats into smaller, more isolated remnants.
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Carbon footprint (noun) /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/: The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.
In conclusion, the impact of climate change on wildlife habitats is a critical topic that is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. By understanding the key elements of a strong response and practicing with sample essays like those provided, test-takers can improve their ability to address this and similar environmental topics effectively. How urbanization is affecting natural habitats is another related topic that may appear in future exams, so it’s worth exploring these interconnected issues.
For further practice, consider writing your own essay on the following potential future topic:
“Some people believe that protecting endangered species should be prioritized over economic development. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare more effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.