Promoting sustainable development through education is a topic that has gained significant traction in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on an analysis of past exam trends and the growing global emphasis on sustainability, it’s highly likely that this theme 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 Task
Some people believe that schools should focus on teaching students about environmental protection and sustainable development. Others think schools should focus on traditional academic subjects. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question addresses the role of education in promoting sustainable development, a key aspect of modern curriculum debates. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that schools should prioritize environmental education
- Explore the perspective that traditional subjects should remain the focus
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter
Let’s examine three sample essays that address this question, each targeting a different band score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In an era of increasing environmental challenges, the debate over educational priorities has intensified. While some advocate for a curriculum centered on environmental protection and sustainable development, others maintain that traditional academic subjects should remain the cornerstone of education. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of environmental education argue that schools have a responsibility to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing ecological issues. By integrating sustainability concepts into the curriculum, schools can foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens capable of implementing sustainable practices in their personal and professional lives. This approach not only prepares students for the challenges of climate change and resource depletion but also instills a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.
Conversely, those who support a focus on traditional academic subjects contend that these disciplines provide the foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills essential for success in any field. Subjects like mathematics, sciences, literature, and history offer a comprehensive educational base that enables students to adapt to various career paths and societal roles. Moreover, they argue that a strong grounding in these subjects is necessary for understanding and addressing complex environmental issues effectively.
In my opinion, the optimal approach lies in integrating environmental education into the existing framework of traditional subjects. This synthesis would allow students to develop a holistic understanding of the world, where environmental concerns are contextualized within broader academic disciplines. For instance, studying climate change could incorporate principles of physics, chemistry, and geography, while exploring sustainable economic models could be part of economics and business studies.
By adopting this integrated approach, schools can maintain the rigor of traditional academics while simultaneously addressing the urgent need for environmental awareness and action. This balanced curriculum would produce well-rounded individuals equipped with both the fundamental knowledge and the specific skills required to navigate and contribute to a sustainable future.
In conclusion, while both perspectives offer valid arguments, I believe that the most effective educational strategy is one that harmoniously combines environmental education with traditional academic subjects. This approach ensures that students are prepared not only for academic and professional success but also for their roles as stewards of a sustainable planet.
(Word count: 339)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a high band score (8-9):
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting a personal opinion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Effective use of paragraphing and cohesive devices enhances readability.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used with precision. Complex ideas are expressed with clarity (e.g., “instills a sense of global citizenship”).
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex structures used accurately. Errors are rare and do not impede communication.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The question of what schools should teach is important in today’s world. Some people think schools should teach about the environment and how to live sustainably, while others believe traditional subjects are more important. This essay will look at both sides and give my opinion.
Those who support teaching about the environment say it’s crucial for the future. They believe students need to learn how to protect nature and use resources wisely. This knowledge can help solve big problems like climate change. Also, learning about these issues can make students more responsible citizens who care about the planet.
On the other hand, people who prefer traditional subjects argue that these are the foundation of a good education. Subjects like math, science, and literature give students important skills and knowledge they need for many jobs. They say that without these basics, students won’t be prepared for university or work. Traditional subjects also help students think critically and solve problems.
In my view, both types of education are important. I think schools should teach traditional subjects but also include lessons about the environment and sustainability. This way, students can get a well-rounded education that prepares them for the future. For example, in science class, teachers could talk about environmental issues alongside regular topics.
To conclude, while both views have merit, I believe the best approach is to combine traditional subjects with environmental education. This will help create students who are both knowledgeable and aware of the world’s environmental challenges.
(Word count: 253)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a mid-range band score (6-7):
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects could be developed further.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical.
- Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used, though at times word choice could be more precise.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used, with some errors that do not impede communication.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, people have different ideas about what schools should teach. Some think schools should teach about protecting the environment and living in a way that doesn’t harm nature. Others say schools should focus on normal subjects like math and science. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who want schools to teach about the environment say it’s very important. They think students need to learn how to take care of the Earth because there are many problems like pollution and climate change. If students learn about these things, they can help make the world better in the future.
But other people think schools should stick to teaching normal subjects. They say subjects like math, science, and history are very important for students to learn. These subjects help students get good jobs and go to university. They also help students think better and solve problems.
I think both ideas are good. Schools should teach normal subjects because they are important. But they should also teach about the environment because it’s a big problem in the world today. Maybe schools can teach about the environment in other classes, like talking about pollution in science class.
In conclusion, I believe schools should teach both normal subjects and about the environment. This will help students be ready for the future and also know how to take care of the Earth.
(Word count: 218)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a lower band score (5-6):
- Task Response: The essay addresses the task, but ideas are underdeveloped and the opinion is not clearly expressed.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a basic structure, but paragraphing and cohesive devices are limited.
- Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is simple and repetitive, with limited range and precision.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Sentence structures are mainly simple, with some attempts at complex sentences. Errors are noticeable but do not significantly impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Sustainable development (noun) /səˈsteɪnəbl dɪˈveləpmənt/ – Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.
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Environmental protection (noun) /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl prəˈtekʃn/ – The practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, organizations and governments.
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Curriculum (noun) /kəˈrɪkjələm/ – The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
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Holistic (adjective) /həʊˈlɪstɪk/ – Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
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Integrate (verb) /ˈɪntɪɡreɪt/ – Combine (one thing) with another to form a whole.
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Critical thinking (noun) /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ – The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.
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Steward (noun) /ˈstjuːəd/ – A person whose responsibility it is to take care of something.
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Resource depletion (noun) /rɪˈsɔːs dɪˈpliːʃn/ – The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished.
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Global citizenship (noun) /ˈɡləʊbl ˈsɪtɪznʃɪp/ – The idea that all people have rights and civic responsibilities that come with being a member of the world.
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Ecological issues (noun) /iːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl ˈɪʃuːz/ – Problems that affect the relationship between organisms and their environment.
Conclusion
The topic of promoting sustainable development through education is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. Future questions might explore themes such as:
- The role of technology in environmental education
- Balancing economic growth with sustainable practices in educational curricula
- The impact of environmental education on career choices
To improve your writing skills, try crafting your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your approach to IELTS Writing Task 2 and prepare you for similar questions in the actual exam.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing is not just about knowing the content, but also about presenting your ideas clearly, coherently, and with appropriate language. Keep practicing, and you’ll see improvement in your writing skills.