Environmental impact has become a crucial topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, with questions about corporate responsibility appearing frequently. This trend is expected to continue, given the growing global concern for sustainability. Let’s examine a recent question that reflects this theme:

Some people believe that companies should be held responsible for any damage they cause to the environment. Others think that individuals should take responsibility for environmental protection. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

This question touches on a critical debate in environmental policy. Let’s analyze the task and provide sample essays for different band scores.

Task Analysis

This question requires you to:

1. Discuss the view that companies should be responsible for environmental damage
2. Discuss the view that individuals should be responsible for environmental protection
3. Give your own opinion on the matter

Remember to address all parts of the question and provide a balanced argument before stating your position.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Environmental protection is a pressing global concern, and there is ongoing debate about who should bear the primary responsibility for safeguarding our planet. While some argue that corporations should be held accountable for their ecological impact, others believe that individuals play a crucial role in environmental stewardship. In my opinion, both entities share this responsibility, but companies should shoulder a greater burden due to their more significant impact and resources.

Those who advocate for corporate responsibility argue that businesses often cause substantial environmental damage through their operations. Large-scale industrial activities, such as manufacturing and resource extraction, can lead to pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction. Moreover, companies have the financial means and technological capabilities to implement eco-friendly practices and invest in sustainable technologies. By holding corporations accountable, we can incentivize them to prioritize environmental considerations in their decision-making processes.

On the other hand, proponents of individual responsibility contend that environmental protection begins at the personal level. They argue that collective actions of individuals, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and making environmentally conscious consumer choices, can significantly impact the planet’s health. Furthermore, individuals can influence corporate behavior through their purchasing decisions and by supporting environmentally responsible companies. This perspective emphasizes the power of grassroots movements and personal commitment to drive societal change.

In my view, while individual actions are undoubtedly important, companies should bear a greater responsibility for environmental protection. Corporations have a far-reaching impact on the environment due to the scale of their operations and their ability to influence global supply chains. They also possess the resources and expertise to develop and implement innovative solutions to environmental challenges. By mandating corporate environmental responsibility through legislation and incentives, governments can effect more rapid and substantial change than by relying solely on individual actions.

In conclusion, both companies and individuals have roles to play in environmental protection. However, given their greater impact and capacity for change, corporations should be held more accountable for their environmental footprint. A combination of stringent regulations for businesses and education to promote individual environmental consciousness is likely to yield the best results in our collective effort to preserve the planet.

(Word count: 345)

Corporate Environmental Responsibility Illustration

Essay 1 Analysis (Band 8-9)

This essay demonstrates excellent characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:

1. Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-structured with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point, and there are effective linking words and phrases throughout.

3. Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Complex phrases like “ecological impact,” “environmental stewardship,” and “grassroots movements” demonstrate a sophisticated command of English.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex sentence structures with very few errors. The use of conditional sentences, relative clauses, and various tense forms adds to the sophistication of the writing.

5. Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with explanations and examples. The writer’s arguments are logical and well-supported.

These factors contribute to the essay achieving a Band 8-9 score. The writing demonstrates the hallmarks of a highly proficient user of English, presenting a clear, well-developed response to the task.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

There is a debate about who should be responsible for protecting the environment. Some people think companies should take care of any damage they cause, while others believe individuals should be responsible. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.

On one hand, many people think companies should be responsible for environmental damage. Big companies often cause pollution from their factories or use a lot of natural resources. They have more money and power to make changes that can help the environment. For example, they can invest in clean energy or use eco-friendly packaging. If companies are held responsible, they might be more careful about how they affect the environment.

On the other hand, some people believe individuals should take responsibility for protecting the environment. Everyone can make small changes in their daily life, like recycling or using less plastic. If many people do this, it can make a big difference. Also, individuals can choose to buy products from companies that care about the environment. This way, they can influence how companies behave.

In my opinion, both companies and individuals have a part to play in protecting the environment. However, I think companies should have more responsibility because they can make bigger changes faster. Governments should make laws to make sure companies don’t harm the environment. At the same time, people should be educated about how to live in a more environmentally friendly way.

To conclude, while individuals can contribute to environmental protection, companies should bear more responsibility due to their larger impact. A combination of strict rules for businesses and education for individuals is the best way to protect our planet.

(Word count: 278)

Individual vs Corporate Environmental Actions

Essay 2 Analysis (Band 6-7)

This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 IELTS Writing Task 2 response:

1. Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the question, discussing both views and providing a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. There are some cohesive devices, but they are sometimes overused or imprecise.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempts at using less common words. However, there is some repetition and the range is not as wide as in the Band 8-9 essay.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.

5. Development of Ideas: Main ideas are present and supported, but the explanations and examples are not as detailed or sophisticated as in the higher band essay.

This essay would likely score in the Band 6-7 range. It demonstrates a generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies and limitations in expression.

Key Vocabulary

1. Environmental impact (noun): The effect of human activities on the natural environment.
   Pronunciation: /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈɪmpækt/

2. Corporate responsibility (noun): The idea that businesses should be accountable for their actions affecting society and the environment.
   Pronunciation: /ˈkɔːpərət rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/

3. Sustainability (noun): The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.
   Pronunciation: /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/

4. Eco-friendly (adjective): Not harmful to the environment.
   Pronunciation: /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/

5. Incentivize (verb): To encourage or motivate someone to do something.
   Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/

6. Grassroots movement (noun): A movement that starts at a local level and is driven by the community.
   Pronunciation: /ˈɡrɑːsruːts ˈmuːvmənt/

7. Stringent (adjective): Strict, precise, and exacting.
   Pronunciation: /ˈstrɪndʒənt/

8. Stewardship (noun): The responsible management and care of something, especially the environment.
   Pronunciation: /ˈstjuːədʃɪp/

These vocabulary items are particularly relevant to the topic of environmental responsibility and can help elevate your writing in IELTS Task 2 essays.

Conclusion

The topic of corporate environmental responsibility is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

• The role of government in environmental protection
• Balancing economic growth with environmental conservation
• The impact of consumer choices on corporate behavior
• International cooperation in addressing global environmental issues

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 a range of vocabulary, and demonstrate grammatical accuracy.

We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your writing skills for the IELTS exam.