Sustainable living has become a critical global concern, and education plays a pivotal role in promoting these practices. This topic has gained significant traction in recent IELTS exams, reflecting its real-world relevance. Based on past trends and current global focus, we can expect to see more questions related to sustainable lifestyles and education in future IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts. Let’s explore this theme through a carefully selected question and analyze sample essays across different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that schools should focus on teaching academic subjects, while others think that schools should also teach students how to live sustainably. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question touches on a crucial debate in modern education: the balance between traditional academic subjects and practical life skills, specifically sustainable living. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that schools should focus on academic subjects
- Explore the perspective that schools should teach sustainable living
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter
Let’s examine sample essays that address this prompt at different band levels.
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Response
Education plays a pivotal role in shaping future generations, and there is ongoing debate about whether schools should prioritize academic subjects or incorporate lessons on sustainable living. While both perspectives have merit, I believe a balanced approach that integrates sustainability into the core curriculum is the most effective strategy.
Proponents of focusing solely on academic subjects argue that schools’ primary function is to provide students with a strong foundation in traditional disciplines. They contend that subjects like mathematics, science, and literature are crucial for developing critical thinking skills and preparing students for higher education and future careers. Moreover, they may argue that sustainable living is a topic better suited for home education or extracurricular activities.
On the other hand, advocates for teaching sustainability in schools emphasize the urgent need to address global environmental challenges. They argue that instilling eco-friendly habits and knowledge from an early age is essential for creating a more sustainable future. By integrating sustainability into the curriculum, schools can empower students to become environmentally conscious citizens who can make informed decisions about resource consumption and conservation.
In my opinion, the most effective approach is to seamlessly incorporate sustainability principles into existing academic subjects. For instance, mathematics classes could include problems related to carbon footprint calculations, while science lessons could explore renewable energy technologies. Literature courses could analyze texts with environmental themes, fostering a deeper understanding of human-nature relationships. This integrated approach ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for academic success while also equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to live sustainably.
Furthermore, schools can implement practical sustainability initiatives, such as recycling programs or school gardens, to provide hands-on learning experiences. These projects not only reinforce classroom lessons but also demonstrate the real-world application of sustainable practices.
In conclusion, while the debate between focusing on academic subjects and teaching sustainable living is understandable, I believe that the two are not mutually exclusive. By integrating sustainability into the core curriculum and supplementing it with practical initiatives, schools can produce well-educated, environmentally conscious individuals who are prepared to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
(Word count: 329)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. It offers a nuanced perspective by suggesting an integrated approach.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas flow logically, and cohesive devices are used effectively to link ideas within and between paragraphs.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Complex phrases like “pivotal role,” “integrated approach,” and “eco-friendly habits” demonstrate lexical sophistication.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately. Complex sentences are well-formed, and there are no noticeable errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with explanations and examples, showing depth of critical thinking.
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Response
There is a debate about what schools should teach students. Some people think schools should only teach academic subjects, while others believe schools should also teach about living sustainably. In my opinion, both are important and schools should try to do both.
People who support focusing on academic subjects say this is the main job of schools. They think subjects like math, science, and history are very important for students’ future education and jobs. These subjects help students think better and prepare for university. Also, some people might say that families should teach about sustainable living at home.
On the other hand, people who want schools to teach about sustainable living think it’s very important for the future. They believe that if students learn about being eco-friendly when they are young, they will make better choices as adults. This could help solve environmental problems in the future. Schools can teach students how to save energy, recycle, and protect nature.
I think schools should try to do both things. They can teach academic subjects but also include information about sustainable living in these lessons. For example, in science class, students could learn about climate change. In math, they could calculate how much energy they use at home. This way, students learn important subjects and also learn how to live in a way that is good for the environment.
Schools can also have special projects about sustainability. They could start a recycling program or make a school garden. These activities help students learn by doing, which is a good way to remember important lessons.
In conclusion, I believe schools should teach both academic subjects and sustainable living. By doing this, students will be ready for their future education and jobs, and they will also know how to take care of the environment. This balance is important for creating a better future for everyone.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates competence in several areas but falls short of the highest band scores:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but lacks the range and sophistication of higher band scores. There is some attempt at using less common vocabulary (e.g., “eco-friendly”).
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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 no major errors, but the range is more limited compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant and supported, but the level of detail and explanation is not as thorough as in the higher band essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Sustainable living (noun phrase) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈlɪvɪŋ/ – a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of the Earth’s natural resources
- Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – not harmful to the environment
- Curriculum (noun) – /kəˈrɪkjələm/ – the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college
- Integrate (verb) – /ˈɪntɪɡreɪt/ – combine (one thing) with another so that they become a whole
- Environmental consciousness (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈkɒnʃəsnəs/ – awareness of environmental issues and the motivation to address them
- Resource consumption (noun phrase) – /rɪˈsɔːs kənˈsʌmpʃn/ – the use of natural resources
- Carbon footprint (noun phrase) – /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community
- Renewable energy (noun phrase) – /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/ – energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power
- Recycling program (noun phrase) – /riːˈsaɪklɪŋ ˈprəʊɡræm/ – an organized system for collecting and processing materials for reuse
- Environmental challenges (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/ – difficulties or problems related to the natural world and the impact of human activity on it
Conclusion
The topic of promoting sustainable lifestyles through education is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. It touches on the intersection of education, environmental awareness, and social responsibility – all critical themes in our rapidly changing world.
As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider practicing with similar topics. For example:
- The role of governments in promoting sustainable living
- The importance of individual actions in addressing climate change
- The balance between economic growth and environmental protection in developing countries
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about having good ideas, but also about presenting them clearly, coherently, and with appropriate language. Practice writing essays on these topics, focusing on structure, vocabulary, and grammar.
We encourage you to try writing your own essay on the prompt discussed in this article. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.
For more insights on related topics, you might find these articles helpful:
- The Role of Education in Combating Climate Change
- How to Promote Environmental Awareness Through Social Media
- The Role of Global Institutions in Promoting Sustainability
Good luck with your IELTS preparation!