Climate change education in school curriculums has become an increasingly important topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme frequently appears in various forms, particularly under education and environmental categories. Based on analysis of past IELTS exams, this topic has appeared multiple times since 2019 and shows strong potential for future tests.
Task Analysis
Some people believe that climate change education should be mandatory in school curriculums. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question requires candidates to:
- Express their position on mandatory climate change education
- Support their viewpoint with relevant examples and explanations
- Maintain a clear and consistent argument throughout
- Provide a well-structured response
Students discussing climate change impacts in modern classroom
Band 9 Sample Essay
Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today, and I strongly agree that it should be a mandatory subject in school curriculums. This essay will explore the crucial reasons behind this position.
Firstly, incorporating climate change education into school syllabi would ensure that young people develop a comprehensive understanding of this global crisis. Students need to grasp both the scientific principles behind climate change and its far-reaching implications for society, economy, and the environment. For instance, when students learn about the greenhouse effect and rising sea levels, they can better comprehend the urgency of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Moreover, mandatory climate education would equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges. By studying climate-related topics, students can learn about renewable energy technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions. For example, schools in Germany that have implemented comprehensive climate education programs have reported increased student engagement in environmental initiatives and greater adoption of eco-friendly practices in their communities.
However, it is essential that climate change education be implemented effectively. This means integrating it across various subjects rather than treating it as an isolated topic. Mathematics classes could analyze climate data, while geography lessons could explore the physical impacts of global warming. This interdisciplinary approach would help students understand the interconnected nature of climate issues.
In conclusion, making climate change education mandatory in schools is not just beneficial but necessary for preparing future generations to tackle environmental challenges. Schools must take responsibility for equipping students with this crucial knowledge, as it will directly impact their future and the planet’s sustainability.
Band 9 Analysis
This essay achieves Band 9 because it:
- Presents a clear position with sophisticated arguments
- Uses appropriate examples and explanations
- Demonstrates excellent coherence and cohesion
- Employs precise vocabulary and complex grammatical structures
- Shows complete command of academic writing style
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
I agree that schools should teach about climate change because it is important for students to know about this problem. In this essay, I will discuss why this is necessary.
The main reason why climate change should be taught in schools is because young people need to understand what is happening to our planet. When students learn about global warming and pollution, they can understand why we need to protect the environment. For example, in my country, many students don’t know why plastic is bad for the environment, but after learning about it in school, they started using less plastic.
Another reason is that students can learn what to do to help stop climate change. Schools can teach them about recycling and saving energy. This is important because if students learn these things when they are young, they will continue doing them when they grow up. In my school, we learned about saving electricity, and now many students turn off lights when they leave rooms.
However, some people think there are already too many subjects in school. They say students need to focus on basic subjects like math and science. But I think climate change is very important for our future, so we should make time to learn about it.
To conclude, I believe climate change should be included in school education because it helps students understand environmental problems and teaches them how to help solve these problems.
Band 6.5 Analysis
This essay achieves Band 6.5 because it:
- Presents clear ideas but with limited sophistication
- Uses simple examples from personal experience
- Shows adequate but basic vocabulary and grammar
- Maintains coherence but with some repetition
- Demonstrates basic paragraph organization
Key Vocabulary
- curriculum (n) /kəˈrɪkjʊləm/ – course of study
- mandatory (adj) /ˈmændətɔri/ – required by law or rules
- interdisciplinary (adj) /ˌɪntərˈdɪsəplɪneri/ – involving different areas of knowledge
- sustainable (adj) /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – able to continue over time without damaging the environment
- initiatives (n) /ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz/ – new plans or actions to deal with a problem
- syllabi (n) /ˈsɪləbaɪ/ – outlines of subjects in a course
- comprehensive (adj) /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhensɪv/ – complete and detailed
- implications (n) /ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃnz/ – possible effects or results of an action
For practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or these related topics:
- Should environmental protection be taught as a separate subject in schools?
- Do you think schools should focus more on practical environmental skills or theoretical knowledge?
- What role should education play in addressing global environmental challenges?
Share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and discussion.
