Remote working has become an increasingly popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, particularly in relation to its environmental impact. This theme has appeared in several recent exams and is likely to continue being relevant in future tests. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze high-scoring responses to help you prepare for this type of task.
Some people believe that the trend of remote working has had a positive impact on environmental sustainability. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires you to discuss the relationship between remote work and environmental sustainability. You need to:
- Clearly state your opinion on the topic
- Provide reasons and examples to support your view
- Consider potential counterarguments
- Conclude by summarizing your main points
Now, let’s examine sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The shift towards remote work has undeniably revolutionized the modern workplace, and its impact on environmental sustainability has been a subject of considerable debate. In my opinion, I strongly agree that the trend of remote working has had a significant positive impact on environmental sustainability, albeit with some caveats.
First and foremost, remote work has led to a substantial reduction in commuter traffic, which is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. With fewer people driving to work daily, there has been a noticeable decrease in air pollution in many urban areas. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic when remote work became widespread, many cities reported cleaner air and reduced smog levels. This improvement in air quality not only benefits the environment but also has positive implications for public health.
Moreover, the shift to remote work has resulted in reduced energy consumption in office buildings. Large commercial spaces require significant amounts of electricity for lighting, heating, and cooling. By allowing employees to work from home, companies can downsize their office spaces or even eliminate them entirely, leading to a considerable decrease in energy usage. This reduction in energy consumption directly translates to lower carbon emissions and a smaller ecological footprint for businesses.
The effects of teleworking on urban infrastructure planning have also been noteworthy. With fewer people commuting, there is less strain on transportation infrastructure, potentially reducing the need for new road construction and expansion projects. This, in turn, helps preserve natural habitats and green spaces that might otherwise be destroyed for urban development.
However, it is important to acknowledge that remote work is not without its environmental challenges. The increased use of digital technologies and home energy consumption could potentially offset some of the gains made through reduced commuting. Additionally, the environmental impact may vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the energy efficiency of home workspaces compared to centralized offices.
In conclusion, while there are some potential drawbacks to consider, the overall impact of remote working on environmental sustainability appears to be overwhelmingly positive. The significant reductions in commuter traffic, office energy consumption, and urban sprawl far outweigh the potential negative effects. As we continue to refine remote work practices and technologies, its potential to contribute to a more sustainable future becomes increasingly evident.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, remote working has become more common, and some people think it has helped the environment. I agree that remote work has had some positive effects on environmental sustainability, but I also think there are some negative aspects to consider.
One of the main ways remote work helps the environment is by reducing the number of cars on the road. When people work from home, they don’t need to drive to an office every day. This means less pollution from cars and buses. For example, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, many cities saw cleaner air because fewer people were commuting.
Another benefit is that companies can use less energy in their offices. With more people working from home, businesses don’t need such big offices. This means they use less electricity for things like lighting and air conditioning. This can help reduce the overall energy consumption of a company.
However, there are also some potential downsides to remote work for the environment. People working from home might use more energy at home, especially for heating or cooling. They might also buy more equipment like printers or computers, which could be bad for the environment when they are made or thrown away.
Advantages and disadvantages of remote work policies show that while there are clear benefits, we should also be aware of potential drawbacks. For instance, some people might feel isolated when working from home, which could affect their mental health.
In conclusion, I believe that remote work has mostly positive effects on environmental sustainability. The reduction in commuting and office energy use are significant benefits. However, we should also be aware of the potential negative impacts and try to address them. Overall, if managed well, remote work can be a good way to help protect the environment.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, many people work from home, and some think this is good for the environment. I think remote working is mostly good for the environment, but there are some problems too.
The main good thing about remote work is that people don’t drive to work. This means less pollution from cars. When I look outside, I see fewer cars on the road than before. This makes the air cleaner and better for everyone.
Also, when people work at home, big offices use less electricity. They don’t need to turn on all the lights or use air conditioning for so many people. This saves energy and is good for the planet.
But there are some bad things too. People at home might use more electricity than they would in an office. They might keep their computers on all day or use more heating. This could be bad for the environment.
The benefits and drawbacks of working from home are important to think about. Some people like it, but others find it hard to work alone at home.
In conclusion, I think remote work is mostly good for the environment because it reduces pollution from cars and saves energy in big offices. But we need to be careful about using too much energy at home. Overall, I think remote work can help protect nature if we do it right.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a sophisticated approach to the topic:
- Clear position with a nuanced perspective
- Well-developed ideas with specific examples (e.g., COVID-19 impact on air quality)
- Cohesive structure with clear paragraphing
- Wide range of vocabulary (e.g., “revolutionized,” “caveats,” “ecological footprint”)
- Complex sentence structures used accurately
- Balanced view considering both positives and potential drawbacks
Band 6-7 Essay:
This essay shows good writing skills with some areas for improvement:
- Clear position with relevant main points
- Ideas are developed, but with less depth than the Band 8-9 essay
- Generally coherent structure
- Good vocabulary range, but less sophisticated than Band 8-9 (e.g., “common,” “downsides”)
- Mix of simple and complex sentences
- Some attempt at presenting a balanced view
Band 5-6 Essay:
This essay demonstrates basic writing skills with several limitations:
- Position is stated, but ideas are less developed
- Basic structure with some coherence
- Limited vocabulary range with some repetition
- Mostly simple sentences with some errors
- Ideas are present but lack depth and specific examples
- Limited attempt at presenting different perspectives
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Environmental sustainability (noun) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources.
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Remote working (noun) – /rɪˈmoʊt ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/ – The practice of working from a location other than a central office, typically from home.
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Greenhouse gas emissions (noun) – /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – The release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
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Ecological footprint (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.
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Urban sprawl (noun) – /ˈɜːrbən sprɔːl/ – The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land.
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Energy consumption (noun) – /ˈenərdʒi kənˈsʌmpʃən/ – The amount of energy used by a household, business, or country.
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Carbon emissions (noun) – /ˈkɑːrbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – The release of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels.
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Commuter traffic (noun) – /kəˈmjuːtər ˈtræfɪk/ – The flow of vehicles and people traveling between their homes and workplaces during peak hours.
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Air pollution (noun) – /eər pəˈluːʃən/ – The presence of harmful substances in the air, typically resulting from human activities.
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Sustainable future (noun phrase) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈfjuːtʃər/ – A future state where human needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
In conclusion, the impact of remote working on environmental sustainability is a highly relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. As demonstrated in the sample essays, this subject allows for discussion of various aspects such as reduced commuting, energy consumption, and urban planning. When preparing for your IELTS exam, practice writing essays on similar topics, considering both the positive and potential negative impacts of remote work on the environment.
To further enhance your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The effect of remote work on work-life balance and productivity
- How technology advancements have influenced the rise of remote working
- The impact of remote work on urban development and rural revitalization
Remember to post your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.