Tourism is a double-edged sword, bringing economic benefits while potentially harming the environment. In recent years, the environmental impact of tourism has become a hot topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This essay question has appeared multiple times in past tests and is likely to continue being a popular choice for examiners. Let’s explore this topic with sample essays for different band scores, along with detailed analysis to help you excel in your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Analyzing the Essay Question
Some people think that governments should invest in preserving tourist attractions that might be damaged by a large number of visitors. Others believe that the money should be spent on developing new tourist attractions instead. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question addresses the environmental impact of tourism by focusing on the dilemma of preserving existing attractions versus developing new ones. It requires you to:
- Discuss the view that governments should invest in preserving existing tourist attractions
- Discuss the alternative view of developing new tourist attractions
- Provide your own opinion on the matter
Let’s examine sample essays for different band scores to see how this question can be approached effectively.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Tourism is a significant contributor to many countries’ economies, but it often comes at an environmental cost. While some argue that governments should allocate funds to protect existing attractions from the wear and tear caused by visitors, others believe that developing new attractions is a better use of resources. In my opinion, a balanced approach that prioritizes preservation while strategically developing new sustainable attractions is the most effective solution.
Investing in the preservation of existing tourist sites is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, many popular attractions hold historical, cultural, or natural significance that, once lost, cannot be replaced. For example, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia are irreplaceable wonders that, if damaged beyond repair, would represent an immeasurable loss to humanity’s heritage. Moreover, preserving these sites ensures a consistent tourism draw, maintaining a stable economic benefit for local communities. By implementing visitor management strategies, such as limiting daily entries or creating designated pathways, governments can protect these attractions while still allowing tourists to enjoy them.
On the other hand, developing new tourist attractions has its merits. Proponents argue that this approach can help distribute tourist traffic more evenly, reducing the strain on existing popular sites. By creating new points of interest, governments can potentially revitalize economically struggling areas and create jobs. Additionally, new attractions can be designed with sustainability in mind from the outset, incorporating eco-friendly practices and technologies that might be challenging to retrofit into older sites.
In my view, the optimal strategy is to strike a balance between preservation and development. Governments should prioritize the protection of irreplaceable attractions while simultaneously investing in the creation of new, sustainable tourist experiences. This approach could involve developing eco-tourism initiatives that showcase natural beauty without compromising it, or creating cultural centers that celebrate local heritage in a controlled environment. By doing so, countries can diversify their tourism offerings, protect their most valuable assets, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their tourism industry.
In conclusion, while both preservation and development have their place in addressing the environmental impact of tourism, a nuanced approach that combines both strategies is likely to yield the best results. By carefully managing existing attractions and thoughtfully developing new ones, governments can foster a tourism industry that is both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
(Word count: 377)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a comprehensive understanding of the topic, warranting a high band score. Here’s why:
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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. Ideas flow logically, and cohesive devices are used effectively (e.g., “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “On the other hand”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “irreplaceable wonders,” “immeasurable loss,” “revitalize economically struggling areas”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex structures used accurately (e.g., “By implementing visitor management strategies, such as limiting daily entries or creating designated pathways, governments can protect these attractions while still allowing tourists to enjoy them.”).
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Tourism is important for many countries, but it can harm the environment. Some people think governments should spend money to protect popular tourist places from damage caused by too many visitors. Others believe it’s better to use the money to create new tourist attractions. I will discuss both ideas and give my opinion.
Protecting existing tourist attractions is important because many of these places have historical or natural value. For example, famous sites like the Taj Mahal in India or the Grand Canyon in the USA are unique and cannot be replaced if they are damaged. If we protect these places, tourists can continue to visit them for many years, which is good for the local economy. Also, by taking care of these attractions, we show respect for our history and nature.
However, creating new tourist attractions also has benefits. It can help reduce the number of people visiting the most popular places, which might be getting too crowded. New attractions can bring tourists to different areas, creating jobs and helping the economy in those places. Also, when building new attractions, we can make sure they are designed to be environmentally friendly from the start.
In my opinion, we need to do both things. We should protect the most important existing attractions because once they are gone, we can’t get them back. But we should also create some new attractions that are good for the environment. This way, we can have more options for tourists and protect nature at the same time.
To conclude, both protecting existing attractions and creating new ones are important for dealing with the environmental impact of tourism. By doing both, we can have a tourism industry that is good for the economy and also takes care of the environment.
(Word count: 299)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band score essay. Here’s why it falls in the 6-7 band range:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and stating the writer’s opinion.
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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 higher band essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate but less varied and precise compared to the Band 8-9 essay (e.g., “good for the economy” instead of “economically viable”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences but lacks the range and accuracy of the higher band essay.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant and supported, but the explanations are less detailed and nuanced compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Environmental impact (noun) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈɪmpækt/ – The effect of human activities on the natural world
- Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources
- Preservation (noun) – /ˌprezərˈveɪʃn/ – The act of maintaining something in its original state
- Eco-tourism (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊ ˌtʊərɪzəm/ – Tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments to support conservation efforts
- Revitalize (verb) – /ˌriːˈvaɪtəlaɪz/ – To give new life or vigor to
- Heritage (noun) – /ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ – Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations
- Diversify (verb) – /daɪˈvɜːrsɪfaɪ/ – To vary or broaden the range of products, services, or interests
- Irreplaceable (adjective) – /ˌɪrɪˈpleɪsəbl/ – Unable to be replaced if lost or damaged
- Retrofit (verb) – /ˌretrəʊˈfɪt/ – To add a component or accessory to something that did not have it when manufactured
- Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
Conclusion
Addressing the environmental impact of tourism is a complex issue that requires a balanced approach. By studying these sample essays and understanding the key elements that contribute to different band scores, you can improve your own writing skills for IELTS Task 2.
For further practice, consider writing an essay on the following related topics:
- The role of local communities in sustainable tourism development
- The impact of mass tourism on cultural heritage sites
- Balancing economic benefits and environmental protection in tourism-dependent regions
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with fellow IELTS candidates. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!