Climate change is a pressing global issue that has been gaining increasing attention in recent years. As such, it’s no surprise that this topic has become more prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on an analysis of past exams and current trends, it’s highly likely that questions related to climate change education in schools will continue to appear in future IELTS tests.
One of the most relevant and frequently occurring questions on this topic is:
Should children be taught about climate change in schools? Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores to help you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Question Analysis
This question is asking for a balanced discussion of both perspectives on teaching climate change to children in schools. It also requires you to state your own opinion on the matter. The key points to address are:
- Arguments for teaching climate change in schools
- Arguments against teaching climate change in schools
- Your personal stance on the issue
Remember to provide reasons and examples to support each viewpoint and your own opinion.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change is undoubtedly one of the most critical challenges facing our planet today. The debate on whether this topic should be included in school curricula has gained significant traction in recent years. While some argue that children should be shielded from such complex and potentially distressing information, others believe it is crucial to educate the younger generation about this global issue. In my opinion, teaching children about climate change in schools is not only beneficial but necessary for creating a more sustainable future.
Proponents of climate change education in schools argue that it is essential to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to address this global challenge. By introducing this topic early, children can develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and their impact on the planet. This knowledge can foster a sense of responsibility and encourage sustainable behaviors from a young age. Moreover, educating children about climate change can empower them to become active participants in finding solutions, potentially leading to innovative ideas and approaches to mitigate its effects.
On the other hand, those opposed to teaching climate change in schools often argue that the topic is too complex and potentially anxiety-inducing for young children. They contend that exposing children to such grave issues may lead to feelings of helplessness or despair. Additionally, some believe that climate change is a politically charged subject and that schools should remain neutral on such matters, focusing instead on core academic subjects.
While these concerns are valid, I believe the benefits of climate change education far outweigh the potential drawbacks. By presenting the information in an age-appropriate manner and focusing on positive actions that can be taken, teachers can mitigate the risk of causing undue anxiety. Furthermore, climate change is an interdisciplinary subject that can be integrated into various core subjects, enhancing students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
In conclusion, I strongly support the inclusion of climate change education in school curricula. By providing children with accurate information and encouraging them to think critically about environmental issues, we can foster a generation of informed and proactive citizens. This approach not only prepares young people for the challenges they will face but also empowers them to be part of the solution to one of the most pressing issues of our time.
(Word count: 398)
Essay 1 Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets all the criteria for a high band score:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively and presents a clear central topic within each paragraph.
- Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Some examples include:
- “gained significant traction”
- “shielded from such complex and potentially distressing information”
- “foster a sense of responsibility”
- “anxiety-inducing”
- “mitigate the risk of causing undue anxiety”
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It demonstrates consistent control of complex language. For example:
- “While some argue that children should be shielded from such complex and potentially distressing information, others believe it is crucial to educate the younger generation about this global issue.”
- “By presenting the information in an age-appropriate manner and focusing on positive actions that can be taken, teachers can mitigate the risk of causing undue anxiety.”
The essay presents a clear and balanced discussion of both viewpoints and provides a well-supported personal opinion. It uses appropriate examples and explanations to illustrate its points, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Climate change is a big problem in the world today. Some people think we should teach children about it in schools, while others disagree. This essay will discuss both sides of this argument and give my opinion.
There are good reasons to teach children about climate change in schools. Firstly, it helps them understand what’s happening to our planet. If children learn about this problem early, they might grow up to be more careful about the environment. For example, they might use less plastic or save energy at home. Also, learning about climate change can make children interested in science and nature, which is good for their education.
However, some people think we shouldn’t teach climate change to kids. They say it’s too scary and might make children worried or sad. They believe schools should focus on basic subjects like math and reading instead. Another reason is that some parents think climate change is a political issue and don’t want their children learning about it in school.
In my opinion, I think it’s important to teach children about climate change, but we need to do it carefully. Teachers can explain the problem in a way that doesn’t scare children. They can also teach kids about things they can do to help, like recycling or saving water. This way, children can feel hopeful and not worried.
To conclude, while there are arguments for and against teaching climate change in schools, I believe it’s necessary. If we teach children about this issue in the right way, they can learn to care for the environment and maybe help solve the problem in the future.
(Word count: 309)
Essay 2 Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good writing skills and meets the criteria for a Band 6-7 score:
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting a relevant position. The ideas are generally extended and supported, though not as fully as in the Band 8-9 essay.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. It uses cohesive devices, though not always with complete accuracy. Each paragraph has a clear central topic.
- Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though with some inaccuracy. For example:
- “grow up to be more careful about the environment”
- “make children interested in science and nature”
- 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. For example:
- “If children learn about this problem early, they might grow up to be more careful about the environment.”
- “Teachers can explain the problem in a way that doesn’t scare children.”
The essay presents a clear discussion of both viewpoints and provides a personal opinion. While it uses some examples and explanations, they are not as sophisticated or well-developed as in the Band 8-9 essay. The language used is more straightforward and less academic, which is appropriate for a Band 6-7 essay.
Key Vocabulary
Here are some important vocabulary words used in the essays, along with their definitions and parts of speech:
- Curriculum (noun) /kəˈrɪkjələm/: The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/: Make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful.
- Interdisciplinary (adjective) /ˌɪntərˈdɪsəpləneri/: Relating to more than one branch of knowledge.
- Proactive (adjective) /prəʊˈæktɪv/: Creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened.
- Anxiety-inducing (adjective) /æŋˈzaɪəti ɪnˈdjuːsɪŋ/: Causing feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease.
- Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbl/: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
- Empowerment (noun) /ɪmˈpaʊərmənt/: The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.
- Critical thinking (noun) /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/: The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.
- Age-appropriate (adjective) /eɪdʒ əˈprəʊpriət/: Suitable for a particular age or age group.
- Innovative (adjective) /ˈɪnəvətɪv/: Featuring new methods; advanced and original.
These words can help you express your ideas more precisely and effectively in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.
Conclusion
The topic of teaching climate change in schools is likely to remain relevant for future IELTS exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on similar environmental education topics, such as:
- The role of schools in promoting environmental awareness
- The importance of practical environmental education versus theoretical knowledge
- The balance between environmental education and other core subjects in the curriculum
Remember to always analyze the question carefully, present balanced arguments, and clearly state your own opinion. Use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures to demonstrate your language skills.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.
How to teach children about environmental conservation can provide additional insights into this important topic and help you develop more ideas for your essays.