The topic of reducing plastic waste to save marine life is increasingly relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This environmental issue has appeared in various forms in recent years, reflecting growing global concerns about plastic pollution and its impact on ocean ecosystems. Based on past exam trends and current environmental priorities, we can expect this theme to continue featuring prominently in future IELTS tests.
Let’s examine a typical question on this topic:
Some people believe that reducing plastic waste is the most important factor in protecting marine life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question asks for your opinion on the importance of reducing plastic waste in relation to protecting marine life. Key points to consider:
- The main topic is the relationship between plastic waste reduction and marine life protection.
- You need to express your level of agreement or disagreement with the statement.
- You should discuss other factors that may be important in protecting marine life.
- Your essay should provide reasons and examples to support your position.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, with its impact on marine ecosystems being particularly devastating. While I agree that reducing plastic waste is crucial for protecting marine life, I believe it is just one of several important factors that need to be addressed comprehensively.
Undoubtedly, reducing plastic waste is of paramount importance in safeguarding marine ecosystems. The ubiquity of plastic in our oceans has led to dire consequences for marine animals, from entanglement in discarded fishing nets to ingestion of microplastics. For instance, a recent study by the University of Exeter found that 100% of sea turtles examined had ingested plastic, highlighting the pervasiveness of this problem. By significantly reducing our plastic consumption and improving waste management systems, we can dramatically decrease the amount of plastic entering our oceans, thereby mitigating its harmful effects on marine life.
However, protecting marine life requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond plastic waste reduction. Overfishing, for example, poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity. The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that 33% of fish stocks are overfished, leading to imbalances in marine ecosystems. Implementing and enforcing strict fishing quotas and creating marine protected areas are essential steps in addressing this issue. Additionally, climate change is altering ocean chemistry through acidification and rising temperatures, endangering coral reefs and countless marine species. Efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change effects are therefore crucial in protecting marine habitats.
Furthermore, addressing land-based pollution sources, such as agricultural runoff and industrial waste, is vital for marine conservation. These pollutants can cause algal blooms and create “dead zones” in coastal areas, severely impacting marine life. Implementing stricter regulations on industrial discharges and promoting sustainable agricultural practices are necessary to combat this form of pollution.
In conclusion, while reducing plastic waste is undeniably a critical factor in protecting marine life, it should be part of a comprehensive strategy that addresses multiple threats to ocean ecosystems. Only by tackling issues such as overfishing, climate change, and various forms of pollution can we hope to effectively safeguard the diverse and vital marine life that our oceans support.
(Word count: 345)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a nuanced view of the importance of reducing plastic waste while acknowledging other factors.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices (e.g., “Undoubtedly,” “However,” “Furthermore”).
Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “ubiquity,” “pervasiveness,” “multifaceted approach,” “mitigating”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly (e.g., complex sentences, passive voice, conditional statements).
Development and Support: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, showing in-depth understanding of the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Plastic waste is a big problem for our oceans and the animals that live there. Many people think that reducing plastic waste is the most important thing we can do to protect marine life. I agree that it is very important, but I also think there are other things we need to do.
Reducing plastic waste is definitely important for protecting sea animals. Plastic in the ocean causes a lot of problems for fish, turtles, and other sea creatures. They can get tangled in plastic bags or eat small pieces of plastic thinking it’s food. This can make them sick or even kill them. If we use less plastic and recycle more, we can help stop this problem. For example, using reusable bags instead of plastic ones when we go shopping can make a big difference.
However, there are other things that are also important for protecting marine life. Overfishing is a big problem that hurts many types of fish. When too many fish are caught, it can upset the balance in the ocean. We need to have rules about how many fish can be caught to help with this problem. Also, pollution from factories and farms can harm sea life. Chemicals and waste from these places can make the water dirty and unhealthy for animals.
Climate change is another big issue for marine life. As the Earth gets warmer, it changes the ocean. This can harm coral reefs and make it hard for some sea animals to survive. We need to try to stop climate change to help protect these animals.
In conclusion, I think reducing plastic waste is very important for protecting marine life, but it’s not the only thing we need to do. We also need to stop overfishing, reduce other types of pollution, and fight climate change. Only by doing all these things together can we really help protect the animals in our oceans.
(Word count: 309)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task, presenting a clear position on the importance of reducing plastic waste while mentioning other factors.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with basic paragraphing and some use of cohesive devices, though not as sophisticated as the Band 8-9 essay.
Lexical Resource: It uses a sufficient range of vocabulary related to the topic, but with less precision and sophistication compared to the higher band essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, though with occasional errors.
Development and Support: Main points are supported with examples, but the development is less extensive and the ideas are less fully elaborated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Marine life (noun) /məˈriːn laɪf/ – plants and animals that live in the sea
- Ecosystem (noun) /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ – all the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment
- Biodiversity (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat
- Overfishing (noun) /ˌəʊvəˈfɪʃɪŋ/ – the practice of catching too many fish in an area, so that the fish population becomes too small
- Climate change (noun) /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ – long-term changes in the earth’s weather patterns
- Microplastics (noun) /ˌmaɪkrəʊˈplæstɪks/ – extremely small pieces of plastic debris in the environment
- Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – able to continue over a period of time without damaging the environment
- Conservation (noun) /ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃn/ – the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and important structures
- Pollution (noun) /pəˈluːʃn/ – the process of making air, water, soil, etc. dirty
- Ecosystem balance (noun phrase) /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm ˈbæləns/ – the state of equilibrium between living organisms and their environment
Marine life affected by plastic pollution
Conclusion
The topic of reducing plastic waste to save marine life is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of government regulations in reducing plastic pollution
- Individual responsibility versus corporate accountability in environmental protection
- The economic impact of marine conservation efforts
- Technological solutions for ocean cleanup and plastic waste reduction
Remember to structure your essays 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. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare more effectively for your IELTS exam.