Renewable energy has become a hot topic in recent years, and it’s no surprise that this subject frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on the analysis of past IELTS exams and current global trends, we can expect to see more questions related to renewable energy subsidies in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that governments should invest in projects to explore alternative sources of energy. Others think that this money should be spent on improving existing energy sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question asks you to discuss two contrasting views on government spending related to energy sources. It’s crucial to:
- Explain both perspectives
- Provide your own opinion
- Support your arguments with relevant examples
Band 8 Sample Essay
Here’s a sample essay that would likely score a Band 8:
In the face of climate change and dwindling fossil fuel reserves, the debate over government investment in energy sources has intensified. While some advocate for exploring alternative energy sources, others argue for improving existing ones. In my opinion, a balanced approach that prioritizes renewable energy development while optimizing current energy sources is the most prudent course of action.
Those who support government investment in alternative energy sources argue that this is crucial for a sustainable future. Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power offer clean, inexhaustible sources of energy that could significantly reduce our carbon footprint. For instance, Germany’s substantial investments in solar and wind power have allowed it to generate over 40% of its electricity from renewable sources, demonstrating the potential of such initiatives.
On the other hand, proponents of improving existing energy sources contend that this approach is more cost-effective and immediately impactful. They argue that enhancing the efficiency of current fossil fuel technologies could reduce emissions and energy costs in the short term. For example, upgrading coal-fired power plants with carbon capture and storage technology could significantly reduce their environmental impact while maintaining energy security.
In my view, while both arguments have merit, the urgent need to address climate change necessitates a greater focus on alternative energy sources. Governments should prioritize investments in renewable energy research and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. However, this should not come at the complete expense of improving existing energy sources. A dual approach that gradually phases out fossil fuels while enhancing their efficiency during the transition period would be most effective.
In conclusion, while improving existing energy sources has short-term benefits, the long-term sustainability of our planet depends on developing alternative, renewable energy sources. Governments should therefore allocate a larger portion of their energy budgets to these projects, while still maintaining and improving current energy infrastructure as we transition to a cleaner future.
(Word count: 309)
Band 6 Sample Essay
Now, let’s look at a sample essay that would likely score a Band 6:
Nowadays, there is a debate about whether governments should spend money on new energy sources or improve the ones we already have. Both ideas have good points, and I will discuss them before giving my opinion.
Some people think governments should invest in new energy sources. This is because we need to find ways to make energy that don’t harm the environment. For example, solar power and wind power are clean and don’t run out. If governments put money into these, we could have more clean energy in the future. This could help stop global warming and make sure we have enough energy for a long time.
However, other people believe it’s better to make our current energy sources better. They say this is cheaper and can help right away. For instance, if we make coal power plants more efficient, we can use less coal and make less pollution. This could be a good solution while we wait for new energy sources to be ready.
In my opinion, I think governments should do both things. We need to look for new, clean energy sources because they are important for the future. But we also need to make our current energy better because we still use it a lot. If we only focus on new energy, we might have problems with not having enough energy now.
To sum up, both improving current energy sources and finding new ones are important. Governments should try to do both, but maybe spend more money on new, clean energy because it’s better for the future of our planet.
(Word count: 261)
Key Points to Remember When Writing
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Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing each view, the writer’s opinion, and a conclusion. The Band 8 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced thesis statement.
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Vocabulary: The Band 8 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases (e.g., “dwindling fossil fuel reserves”, “carbon footprint”, “prudent course of action”), while the Band 6 essay uses simpler language.
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Grammar: The Band 8 essay demonstrates a wider range of complex sentence structures, while the Band 6 essay relies more on simple and compound sentences.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8 essay has better paragraph linkage and idea development, while the Band 6 essay is more straightforward in its presentation of ideas.
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Task Response: Both essays address all parts of the question, but the Band 8 essay provides more detailed examples and a more nuanced opinion.
Important Vocabulary to Remember
- Renewable energy (noun) /rɪˈnjuːəbəl ˈenədʒi/ – energy from a source that is not depleted when used
- Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ – able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
- Carbon footprint (noun) /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of activities
- Fossil fuels (noun) /ˈfɒsəl fjuːəlz/ – fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms
- Climate change (noun) /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ – long-term shifts in global weather patterns
- Energy efficiency (noun) /ˈenədʒi ɪˈfɪʃənsi/ – using less energy to perform the same task
- Carbon capture and storage (noun) /ˈkɑːbən ˈkæptʃər ənd ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/ – the process of capturing waste carbon dioxide and storing it
- Hydroelectric power (noun) /ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˈlektrɪk ˈpaʊər/ – electricity generated by the movement of water
In conclusion, the topic of government subsidies for renewable energy projects is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on similar topics, focusing on developing a clear structure, using appropriate vocabulary, and presenting a balanced argument. Remember to support your points with specific examples and to clearly state your own opinion. As an exercise, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.