The topic of renewable energy and its impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is increasingly relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on recent trends, this subject has appeared multiple times in past exams and is likely to continue being a popular choice for future tests. Let’s explore a sample question that closely resembles those seen in actual IELTS exams:
Some people believe that the development of renewable energy sources is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Analyzing the Question
This question asks for your opinion on the importance of renewable energy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. Key points to consider:
- The main topic is renewable energy and its role in environmental protection.
- You need to express your level of agreement or disagreement with the statement.
- Your essay should discuss the connection between renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change.
- You should provide reasons and examples to support your position.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In recent years, the global community has become increasingly aware of the urgent need to address climate change, with many experts pointing to renewable energy as a key solution. I strongly agree that the development of renewable energy sources is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change, as these alternatives offer a sustainable path towards a cleaner environment and a more stable climate.
Firstly, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases during operation. This stands in stark contrast to fossil fuels like coal and oil, which release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions when burned. By transitioning to these clean energy sources, we can dramatically reduce the overall greenhouse gas emissions from our power generation sector, which is currently one of the largest contributors to global warming.
Moreover, the continuous development of renewable technologies leads to increased efficiency and lower costs, making them more accessible and attractive for widespread adoption. As these technologies improve and become more cost-effective, they can replace fossil fuels in various applications beyond just electricity generation, including transportation and industrial processes. This widespread integration of renewables across multiple sectors can lead to a comprehensive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions throughout the economy.
Additionally, the shift towards renewable energy sources can have positive ripple effects on other environmental issues. For instance, reduced reliance on fossil fuels can lead to improved air quality, decreased water pollution from oil spills and coal mining, and the preservation of natural habitats that might otherwise be destroyed for fossil fuel extraction. These ancillary benefits further contribute to the overall goal of combating climate change and creating a more sustainable future.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the transition to renewable energy is not without challenges. Intermittency issues, storage limitations, and the need for significant infrastructure investments are obstacles that must be addressed. Nevertheless, ongoing research and development in these areas are yielding promising solutions, such as advanced battery technologies and smart grid systems, which will help overcome these hurdles.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that the development of renewable energy sources is indeed crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. The direct reduction of emissions, the potential for widespread adoption across various sectors, and the additional environmental benefits make renewables an indispensable tool in our fight against global warming. As we continue to invest in and improve these technologies, we move closer to a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
(Word count: 398)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with well-developed ideas and relevant examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “Additionally,” “However”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “stark contrast,” “ancillary benefits,” “intermittency issues”). The essay demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of grammatical structures accurately and appropriately. It demonstrates a high level of grammatical control with only rare minor errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each paragraph presents a clear central topic that is fully extended and supported with relevant details and examples.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
I agree that developing renewable energy sources is important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change. This essay will discuss why I think this is true and give some examples.
Firstly, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power don’t produce greenhouse gases when they generate electricity. This is different from fossil fuels like coal and oil, which release a lot of carbon dioxide when they are burned. By using more renewable energy, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere. This is important because greenhouse gases are the main cause of global warming and climate change.
Another reason why renewable energy is important is that it can be used in many different ways. For example, electric cars can use electricity from renewable sources instead of gasoline. This helps reduce emissions from transportation, which is another big source of greenhouse gases. Also, as renewable energy technology gets better and cheaper, more people and businesses can use it, which will help reduce emissions even more.
However, there are some challenges with using renewable energy. One problem is that the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow, so we need ways to store energy for when these sources aren’t available. Another issue is that it can be expensive to build renewable energy systems at first, even though they can save money in the long run.
Despite these challenges, I believe that developing renewable energy is very important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change. As we continue to improve renewable energy technology and use it more widely, we can make a big difference in protecting our environment and creating a more sustainable future.
In conclusion, renewable energy is crucial for reducing greenhouse gases and addressing climate change because it doesn’t produce emissions, can be used in many ways, and is becoming more affordable. While there are some challenges, the benefits of renewable energy make it an essential tool in our efforts to protect the planet.
(Word count: 322)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task and presents a clear position. However, the ideas could be more fully developed with more specific examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is sometimes repetitive (e.g., frequent use of “Another reason” and “Also”).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it lacks the sophistication and precision of higher-band essays. There is some attempt at using less common vocabulary (e.g., “sustainable future”), but the range is more limited.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
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Development of Ideas: Each paragraph has a clear central topic, but the supporting points could be more fully elaborated with specific examples or data.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Renewable energy (noun) – /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/ – Energy from a source that is not depleted when used
- Greenhouse gas emissions (noun phrase) – /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – The release of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect
- Climate change (noun) – /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ – Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns
- Fossil fuels (noun) – /ˈfɒsl fjuːəlz/ – Fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals
- Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
- Intermittency (noun) – /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənsi/ – The state of occurring at irregular intervals
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – The basic physical and organizational structures needed for operation
- Carbon dioxide (noun) – /ˈkɑːbən daɪˈɒksaɪd/ – A greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels
- Global warming (noun) – /ˈɡləʊbl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/ – The gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere
- Hydroelectric (adjective) – /ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˈlektrɪk/ – Relating to the production of electricity using flowing water
Conclusion
The topic of renewable energy’s impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, consider practicing with related topics such as:
- The role of government in promoting renewable energy
- The economic impact of transitioning to renewable energy sources
- The challenges of implementing renewable energy on a global scale
- The potential of specific renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal)
- The relationship between energy consumption and climate change
To enhance your writing skills, try composing your own essay on the given topic or a related one. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with other learners. This active practice will help you improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 performance and increase your confidence in tackling similar topics in the future.