The topic of renewable energy and its role in sustainable development has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. This trend reflects the growing global concern for environmental issues and the shift towards cleaner energy sources. Based on recent exam patterns and the relevance of this topic, it’s highly likely that you may encounter a question related to renewable energy in your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Let’s examine a typical question on this subject and explore how to approach it effectively for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that the development of renewable energy sources is crucial for solving global environmental issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question is asking for your opinion on the importance of renewable energy in addressing global environmental problems. It’s an agree/disagree type question, which means you need to clearly state your position and support it with relevant arguments and examples.
Sample Essay for Band 8-9
Here’s a high-scoring sample essay that demonstrates the qualities expected for a Band 8-9 response:
Renewable energy sources have gained significant attention in recent years as a potential solution to the world’s pressing environmental challenges. I strongly agree with the statement that developing these sustainable energy alternatives is crucial for addressing global ecological issues. This essay will explore the reasons behind this stance and provide examples to support this view.
Firstly, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power offer a clean alternative to fossil fuels, which are the primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. By transitioning to these sustainable options, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change. For instance, countries like Denmark and Germany have made substantial progress in reducing their CO2 emissions by investing heavily in wind energy infrastructure.
Moreover, the development of renewable energy technologies promotes energy independence and security. Many nations currently rely on imported fossil fuels, which can lead to geopolitical tensions and economic instability. By harnessing local renewable resources, countries can decrease their dependence on foreign energy sources and create a more stable and sustainable energy landscape. Costa Rica, for example, has achieved nearly 100% renewable electricity generation, primarily through hydropower and geothermal energy, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach.
Additionally, the renewable energy sector drives innovation and creates new economic opportunities. As investments in clean energy technologies increase, it spurs research and development, leading to more efficient and cost-effective solutions. This not only addresses environmental concerns but also stimulates economic growth and job creation in the green energy sector. The International Renewable Energy Agency reports that the renewable energy sector employed 11.5 million people globally in 2019, a number that continues to grow.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the transition to renewable energy sources is not without challenges. Intermittency issues, storage limitations, and initial infrastructure costs are hurdles that need to be overcome. Nevertheless, ongoing technological advancements and increasing political will are steadily addressing these obstacles, making renewable energy an increasingly viable and necessary solution.
In conclusion, the development of renewable energy sources is indeed crucial for solving global environmental issues. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy independence, and driving economic innovation, renewable energy offers a comprehensive approach to addressing our planet’s ecological challenges. As we move forward, it is imperative that governments, businesses, and individuals continue to invest in and support the transition to sustainable energy sources for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
(Word count: 395)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates the key characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
- Clear position: The writer clearly states their agreement with the statement in the introduction.
- Well-developed arguments: Each paragraph focuses on a distinct point, thoroughly explained and supported with relevant examples.
- Cohesion and coherence: The essay flows logically, with effective use of linking words and phrases.
- Lexical resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately.
- Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay showcases various complex structures with minimal errors.
- Task response: All parts of the question are fully addressed, with a clear conclusion summarizing the main points.
High-scoring IELTS essay on renewable energy
Sample Essay for Band 6-7
Now, let’s look at a sample essay that would typically score in the Band 6-7 range:
I agree that developing renewable energy sources is very important for solving global environmental problems. In this essay, I will explain why I think this is true.
Firstly, renewable energy is much cleaner than fossil fuels. When we burn coal or oil, it releases a lot of pollution into the air. This pollution causes global warming and other environmental problems. But renewable energy like solar and wind power doesn’t create this pollution. For example, many countries are now building more solar farms to produce clean electricity.
Secondly, renewable energy will never run out. Fossil fuels will eventually be used up, but we can always use the sun and wind for energy. This means we can have a sustainable energy supply for the future. Countries like Iceland are already using a lot of geothermal energy, which comes from the heat inside the Earth.
Another reason is that renewable energy can create new jobs. As more companies start working on solar panels and wind turbines, they need to hire more people. This can help the economy and also help solve environmental problems at the same time. In Germany, many new jobs have been created in the renewable energy industry.
However, there are some problems with renewable energy. It can be expensive to build solar panels and wind turbines. Sometimes the weather affects how much energy they can produce. But I think these problems can be solved with more research and technology.
In conclusion, I strongly agree that developing renewable energy is crucial for solving global environmental issues. It is cleaner, sustainable, and can create jobs. While there are some challenges, the benefits of renewable energy are very important for our planet’s future.
(Word count: 290)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates the following characteristics of a Band 6-7 response:
- Clear position: The writer states their agreement with the statement.
- Adequate development: The main ideas are explained, though not as thoroughly as in the Band 8-9 essay.
- Some cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated.
- Sufficient vocabulary: The writer uses some topic-specific vocabulary, but with less precision than the higher band essay.
- Adequate grammar: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with some errors that do not impede communication.
- Task response: The question is addressed, though the response could be more fully developed.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Here are some important vocabulary items used in the essays, along with their definitions:
Renewable energy (noun) /rɪˈnjuːəbəl ˈenədʒi/: Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbəl/: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
Carbon footprint (noun) /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/: The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.
Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/: Make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful.
Geothermal energy (noun) /ˌdʒiːəʊˈθɜːməl ˈenədʒi/: Heat energy generated and stored in the Earth.
Intermittency (noun) /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənsi/: The state of occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/: The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Transition (noun) /trænˈzɪʃn/: The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
Conclusion
The role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development is a crucial topic in today’s world and is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. By understanding the key arguments and vocabulary related to this subject, you can prepare yourself to tackle similar questions effectively.
To further improve your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The challenges of implementing renewable energy on a large scale
- The economic impact of shifting to renewable energy sources
- The role of government policies in promoting renewable energy adoption
Remember to post your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS Writing Task 2.
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