Sustainable development has become an increasingly important topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme frequently appears in exams, reflecting its global significance. Based on recent trends, we can expect questions related to promoting sustainable development to continue featuring prominently in future IELTS tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past exams and explore how to craft high-scoring responses.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that promoting sustainable development is the responsibility of governments, while others think that individuals should take responsibility for it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question presents two contrasting views on who should be responsible for promoting sustainable development: governments or individuals. It requires us to:
- Discuss the view that governments should be responsible
- Discuss the view that individuals should be responsible
- Provide our own opinion on the matter
Let’s examine three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting a different band score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Environmental conservation and sustainable growth have become paramount concerns in our rapidly developing world. While some argue that governments should spearhead initiatives for sustainable development, others contend that individual responsibility is key. In my opinion, both parties play crucial roles, and a collaborative approach is essential for meaningful progress.
Proponents of government-led sustainability efforts argue that authorities possess the resources and power to implement large-scale changes. Governments can enact policies, regulations, and incentives that promote sustainable practices across industries and communities. For instance, they can impose carbon taxes on polluting industries, subsidize renewable energy projects, and implement stringent environmental protection laws. Moreover, governments can invest in sustainable infrastructure, such as public transportation systems and green buildings, which individuals alone cannot achieve.
On the other hand, those who advocate for individual responsibility emphasize the cumulative impact of personal choices. Every citizen’s daily decisions regarding consumption, waste management, and energy use collectively shape a nation’s sustainability profile. Individuals can adopt eco-friendly lifestyles by reducing plastic use, conserving water and electricity, and supporting sustainable products. Furthermore, grassroots movements and community initiatives often stem from individual actions, which can inspire wider societal changes and influence government policies.
In my view, promoting sustainable development requires a synergistic effort from both governments and individuals. While governments provide the framework and resources for sustainable initiatives, individual actions breathe life into these policies and drive societal change. Governments can create the conditions for sustainability, but it is the collective actions of individuals that ultimately determine the success of these efforts.
In conclusion, the responsibility for promoting sustainable development should not be attributed solely to either governments or individuals. A holistic approach that combines top-down governmental strategies with bottom-up individual initiatives is crucial for achieving lasting and meaningful sustainability. By fostering this collaborative model, we can hope to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence across all marking criteria:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is cohesive with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices and each paragraph has a clear central topic.
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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 “spearhead initiatives”, “cumulative impact”, and “synergistic effort”.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It demonstrates consistent control of complex language.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The question of who should be responsible for promoting sustainable development is often debated. Some people think it’s the government’s job, while others believe individuals should take charge. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who think the government should be responsible for sustainable development have some good points. Governments have the power to make laws and policies that can force companies and people to be more environmentally friendly. For example, they can put taxes on pollution or give money to clean energy projects. They also have more money to spend on big projects like building public transport systems that are good for the environment.
On the other hand, people who say individuals should be responsible also have valid arguments. Every person can make choices that help the environment, like using less plastic, saving water, or buying eco-friendly products. If many people do these things, it can make a big difference. Also, when individuals care about the environment, they might start community projects or pressure the government to do more.
In my opinion, both the government and individuals need to work together to promote sustainable development. The government can create the rules and provide support, but it’s up to individuals to follow these rules and make good choices in their daily lives. Without cooperation between the government and the people, it would be hard to achieve real sustainable development.
To conclude, promoting sustainable development is not just the responsibility of one group. It needs effort from both the government and individuals. By working together, we have a better chance of creating a sustainable future for everyone.
(Word count: 275)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good control across the marking criteria, but with some limitations:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but some parts are more fully extended than others.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, but with some inaccuracy.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Sustainable development is important for our world. Some people think the government should do it, but others say individuals should. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
Governments have big power to make sustainable development happen. They can make laws to stop pollution and help clean energy. For example, they can make companies pay if they pollute too much. Also, governments have lots of money to build things like trains and buses that are good for the environment.
But some people think individuals should be responsible. They say everyone can do small things to help, like using less plastic or turning off lights. If many people do this, it can make a big change. Also, when people care about the environment, they might tell the government to do more.
I think both the government and people need to work for sustainable development. The government can make rules, but people need to follow them. If only one side tries, it won’t work well.
In conclusion, promoting sustainable development needs both the government and individuals. They should work together to make a better future for our planet.
(Word count: 183)
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates a modest attempt at addressing the task:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the task in a general way. Ideas are presented but are not fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is organized with some progression, but the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a limited range of vocabulary. There are attempts to use topic-specific words, but with some inaccuracy.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay mainly uses simple sentences with limited accuracy. Errors are frequent but do not greatly impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Sustainable development (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbl dɪˈveləpmənt/ – Development that meets current needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.
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Spearhead (verb) – /ˈspɪəhed/ – To lead an attack or an important movement or activity.
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Incentive (noun) – /ɪnˈsentɪv/ – Something that encourages a person to do something.
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Cumulative (adjective) – /ˈkjuːmjələtɪv/ – Increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions.
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Grassroots (adjective) – /ˈɡrɑːsruːts/ – Of or relating to the common people, especially as contrasted with the leadership of a movement.
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Synergistic (adjective) – /ˌsɪnəˈdʒɪstɪk/ – Relating to the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.
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Holistic (adjective) – /həʊˈlɪstɪk/ – Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole.
These words can help elevate your essay and demonstrate a sophisticated command of English vocabulary related to sustainable development.
Conclusion
Promoting sustainable development is a complex topic that requires careful consideration of multiple perspectives. By analyzing these sample essays, we can see how different approaches and levels of language proficiency can impact the overall quality of the response.
As you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2, consider practicing with similar topics. Some potential questions you might encounter could include:
- “To what extent do you agree that economic growth and environmental protection are incompatible?”
- “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of implementing strict environmental regulations on businesses.”
- “Some people believe that technological advancements are key to achieving sustainable development. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is practice. Try writing your own essay on the topic discussed in this article and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.