The topic of marine pollution and its impact on ecosystems has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on past exam trends and the growing global concern for environmental issues, it’s highly likely that this subject will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s explore this topic through a carefully selected question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that it is acceptable to harm the environment to create economic growth. Others think that protecting the environment should be prioritized over the economy. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question touches on the delicate balance between economic development and environmental protection, with a specific focus on marine ecosystems. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that harming the environment for economic growth is acceptable
- Discuss the opposing view that environmental protection should be prioritized
- Provide and justify their own opinion
Let’s examine three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting a different band score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Marine pollution is a critical issue that affects not only aquatic life but also human well-being and the global economy. Some argue that economic growth should take precedence over environmental concerns, while others believe that protecting our oceans and marine ecosystems should be the top priority. In my opinion, while economic development is important, it should not come at the cost of irreversible damage to our marine environments.
Those who prioritize economic growth over environmental protection often argue that industrialization and development are necessary for improving living standards and reducing poverty. They contend that strict environmental regulations can hinder job creation and economic progress, particularly in developing nations. For instance, countries with large fishing industries might resist limitations on overfishing, arguing that such restrictions would lead to unemployment and economic hardship.
On the other hand, proponents of environmental protection emphasize the long-term consequences of marine pollution and ecosystem degradation. They argue that healthy oceans are essential for maintaining biodiversity, regulating climate, and supporting sustainable economic activities such as tourism and responsible fishing. The devastating effects of plastic pollution, oil spills, and ocean acidification on marine life and coastal communities serve as stark reminders of the need for environmental stewardship.
In my view, the dichotomy between economic growth and environmental protection is a false one. Sustainable development that balances economic needs with environmental conservation is not only possible but necessary for long-term prosperity. Investing in clean technologies, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and developing eco-friendly industries can create jobs while preserving marine ecosystems. Moreover, the economic costs of environmental degradation, such as declining fish stocks and the impact on coastal tourism, far outweigh the short-term gains of unsustainable practices.
In conclusion, while economic growth is undoubtedly important, it should not come at the expense of our marine environments. By adopting a balanced approach that prioritizes both economic development and environmental protection, we can ensure a sustainable future for our oceans and the communities that depend on them. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to implement policies and practices that promote responsible resource use and conservation of marine ecosystems.
(Word count: 345)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that align with Band 8-9 criteria:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic, and ideas are logically linked.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Examples include “irreversible damage,” “industrialization,” “biodiversity,” and “sustainable development.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
There is a debate about whether it’s okay to harm the environment for economic growth or if we should protect the environment first. I think both are important, but we need to find a balance.
Some people say that economic growth is very important. They think that industries and businesses need to grow to create jobs and make money. For example, big fishing companies might say they need to catch more fish to make more money and employ more people. These people believe that if we have too many environmental rules, it will be hard for businesses to grow.
On the other hand, many people think we should protect the environment first. They say that if we don’t take care of our oceans, we will have big problems in the future. Pollution in the ocean can kill fish and other sea animals. This can affect the food we eat and even the air we breathe. Also, if we don’t protect the environment, things like tourism might suffer because people don’t want to visit dirty beaches.
I believe that we need to find a way to have both economic growth and environmental protection. We can use new technologies that don’t harm the environment to create jobs. We can also have rules that help businesses grow but also protect the oceans. For example, we can encourage fishing companies to use methods that don’t catch too many fish at once.
In conclusion, I think it’s possible to have economic growth without destroying the environment. We need to be careful and think about the future. Governments should make laws that protect the oceans but also help businesses. If we work together, we can have a healthy economy and a clean environment.
(Word count: 291)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates qualities that align with Band 6-7 criteria:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are developed more fully than others.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the relationships between ideas could be clearer in some places.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary, though there is less sophistication compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are no major errors, but the range is more limited than in higher band essays.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant and supported, but the level of detail and explanation is not as extensive as in higher band essays.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Some people think it’s okay to harm the environment to make money. Other people think we should protect the environment first. I will talk about both ideas.
First, some people say making money is very important. They think if we make more things and sell more things, we can have more jobs. For example, if we catch more fish, we can sell more fish and make more money. These people think rules about the environment can make it hard to make money.
But other people think the environment is more important. They say if we don’t take care of the ocean, we will have big problems. Dirty water can kill fish and make people sick. If the beach is dirty, people won’t want to visit. This is bad for tourism.
I think both money and the environment are important. We need to find a way to make money without hurting the ocean too much. Maybe we can use new ways to fish that don’t catch too many fish. We can also make rules that help businesses but also protect the ocean.
In conclusion, I think we can make money and take care of the environment at the same time. We need to be smart and think about the future. If we work together, we can have a good economy and a clean ocean.
(Word count: 213)
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates qualities that align with Band 5-6 criteria:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the task, but some points are underdeveloped.
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Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall structure, but the linking of ideas is sometimes unclear.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses simple vocabulary and repeats some words. There is limited evidence of less common vocabulary.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay mainly uses simple sentences with some errors. There is limited use of complex structures.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are presented but not always fully extended or supported.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Marine ecosystem (noun) /məˈriːn ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/: The community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment in the sea.
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Biodiversity (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪti/: The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
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Sustainable development (noun phrase) /səˈsteɪnəbl dɪˈveləpmənt/: Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.
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Ocean acidification (noun phrase) /ˈəʊʃən əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/: The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth’s oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
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Environmental stewardship (noun phrase) /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈstjuːədʃɪp/: The responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices.
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Economic prosperity (noun phrase) /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk prɒˈsperəti/: The state of having a strong economy that enables people to be successful and make money.
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Ecosystem degradation (noun phrase) /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm ˌdegrəˈdeɪʃn/: The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil.
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Overfishing (noun) /ˌəʊvəˈfɪʃɪŋ/: The practice of catching fish faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline in fish populations.
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Coastal erosion (noun phrase) /ˈkəʊstl ɪˈrəʊʒn/: The wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, drainage, or high winds.
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Pollution mitigation (noun phrase) /pəˈluːʃn ˌmɪtɪˈgeɪʃn/: The process of reducing or preventing pollution through various strategies and technologies.
Conclusion
The impact of pollution on marine ecosystems is a critical topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. By studying these sample essays and analyzing their strengths, you can improve your writing skills and prepare for similar questions. Remember to address all parts of the task, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and develop your ideas with relevant examples.
To further enhance your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or a related one, such as:
- “What are the main causes of marine pollution, and what measures can be taken to address them?”
- “How does marine pollution affect the fishing industry and coastal communities?”
- “Discuss the role of international cooperation in protecting marine ecosystems.”
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below. This active practice will help you refine your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.