In recent years, the topic of renewable energy and its role in ensuring energy security has gained significant traction in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This trend reflects the growing global concern about sustainable energy sources and their impact on national and international security. As an IELTS instructor, I’ve noticed an increase in questions related to this theme, and I predict it will continue to be a popular subject in future exams.
Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS exams and is likely to resurface in various forms:
Some people believe that the development of renewable energy sources is crucial for a country’s energy security. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires you to discuss the relationship between renewable energy and energy security. Key points to consider:
- The meaning of “renewable energy sources” (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric)
- The concept of “energy security” (reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply)
- The connection between renewable energy and energy security
- Your personal stance on the issue
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Renewable energy sources have become increasingly prominent in discussions about national energy policies, with many arguing that they are essential for ensuring a country’s energy security. I strongly agree with this viewpoint, as the development of renewable energy offers numerous benefits that contribute significantly to a nation’s energy independence and stability.
Firstly, renewable energy sources provide a sustainable and inexhaustible supply of power, unlike finite fossil fuels. This longevity is crucial for long-term energy security, as countries can rely on these sources without fear of depletion. For instance, solar and wind energy can be harnessed indefinitely, ensuring a constant power supply for future generations. This sustainability factor is particularly important in an era of increasing global energy demand and diminishing traditional fuel reserves.
Moreover, the decentralized nature of many renewable energy systems enhances energy security by reducing vulnerability to disruptions. Traditional centralized power plants are often susceptible to large-scale outages due to natural disasters or technical failures. In contrast, distributed renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar panels or community wind farms, create a more resilient energy infrastructure. This resilience was evident in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, where solar microgrids provided power to communities while the main electricity grid remained offline for months.
Furthermore, investing in renewable energy technologies can significantly reduce a country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, thereby enhancing its energy independence. Many nations currently rely heavily on oil and gas imports, which makes them vulnerable to price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions. By developing domestic renewable energy sources, countries can mitigate these risks and improve their economic stability. For example, Denmark’s investment in wind energy has not only made it a net exporter of electricity but also insulated it from the volatility of international energy markets.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the transition to renewable energy is not without challenges. Intermittency issues with solar and wind power, for instance, require the development of efficient energy storage solutions. Additionally, the initial costs of implementing renewable energy infrastructure can be substantial. Nevertheless, these challenges are outweighed by the long-term benefits and can be addressed through continued technological advancements and strategic planning.
In conclusion, the development of renewable energy sources is indeed crucial for a country’s energy security. By providing a sustainable power supply, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and reducing dependence on imported fuels, renewable energy contributes significantly to national energy independence and stability. As technology continues to advance, the role of renewable sources in ensuring energy security will only become more pronounced, making it an essential focus for countries worldwide.
(Word count: 410)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position and developing it thoroughly.
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Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Sophisticated words and phrases like “decentralized nature,” “geopolitical tensions,” and “intermittency issues” demonstrate a high level of language proficiency.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures accurately. There are no noticeable errors, and the writing flows naturally.
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Examples and Support: The essay provides specific, relevant examples to support each point, such as the case of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and Denmark’s success with wind energy.
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Critical Thinking: The essay acknowledges potential counterarguments and challenges, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In today’s world, many people think that developing renewable energy is very important for a country’s energy security. I agree with this idea because renewable energy has many benefits for energy security.
One main reason why renewable energy is good for energy security is that it never runs out. Unlike oil and coal, which will finish one day, renewable energy sources like sun and wind are always available. This means that countries can always have energy if they use renewable sources. For example, Germany has invested a lot in solar and wind power, and now they don’t worry as much about running out of energy.
Another benefit of renewable energy for security is that it helps countries depend less on other countries for energy. Many countries have to buy oil from other places, which can be risky if there are problems between countries. But if a country makes its own renewable energy, it doesn’t need to buy as much from others. This makes the country more independent and secure. For instance, Iceland uses a lot of geothermal energy, which means they don’t need to import much energy from other countries.
However, there are some problems with renewable energy too. Sometimes the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow, so we can’t always get energy when we need it. Also, it can be expensive to build things like solar panels and wind turbines. But I think these problems can be solved with better technology in the future.
In conclusion, I believe that renewable energy is very important for a country’s energy security. It provides a never-ending source of energy and helps countries be more independent. While there are some challenges, the benefits of renewable energy for security are very clear. Countries should continue to develop and use renewable energy sources to improve their energy security.
(Word count: 301)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates good qualities but falls short of the highest band scores:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses the main 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 sometimes repetitive (e.g., frequent use of “Another” to introduce new points).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but there’s less sophistication compared to the Band 8-9 essay. Some attempts at more complex vocabulary are made (e.g., “geothermal energy”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, but there’s less variety in structure compared to higher band scores. There are no major errors, but the language is less fluid.
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Examples and Support: The essay provides some examples (Germany, Iceland) to support its points, which is good. However, these could be more detailed or specific.
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Critical Thinking: The essay acknowledges some challenges of renewable energy, showing some balanced thinking, but this could be more developed.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Renewable energy (noun) – /rɪˈnjuːəbəl ˈenədʒi/ – Energy from a source that is not depleted when used
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Energy security (noun phrase) – /ˈenədʒi sɪˈkjʊərɪti/ – The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price
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Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
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Decentralized (adjective) – /diːˈsentrəlaɪzd/ – Distributed or delegated away from a central authority
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Resilient (adjective) – /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
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Geopolitical (adjective) – /ˌdʒiːəʊpəˈlɪtɪkəl/ – Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors
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Intermittency (noun) – /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənsi/ – The state of occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady
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Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
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Mitigation (noun) – /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/ – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
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Volatility (noun) – /ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪti/ – Liability to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse
Conclusion
The topic of renewable energy and its impact on energy security is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. To prepare effectively, consider practicing with variations of this question, such as:
- Discuss the challenges and benefits of transitioning to renewable energy for developing countries.
- Some argue that nuclear energy is more reliable for energy security than renewable sources. Do you agree or disagree?
- How can governments encourage the adoption of renewable energy to improve national energy security?
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about knowledge of the topic, but also about how well you can structure your arguments, use appropriate vocabulary, and demonstrate critical thinking. Practice writing essays on this topic and share them in the comments section below for feedback and further discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare more effectively for your IELTS exam.