Climate change and its impact on freshwater resources is a critical topic that has gained significant attention in recent years. As an IELTS examiner and writing instructor, I’ve noticed an increasing trend in questions related to this subject appearing in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on my analysis of past exam papers and current environmental concerns, I predict that this theme will continue to be a frequent topic in future IELTS tests. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze how to craft high-scoring essays on this subject.
Climate change impact on freshwater resources
Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Some people believe that climate change is the biggest threat to the world’s freshwater resources. Others think that human activities such as agriculture and industry pose a greater danger. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Question Analysis
This question presents a classic IELTS Writing Task 2 format: discussing two contrasting views and providing your own opinion. The topic combines two critical global issues: climate change and freshwater resources. To answer this effectively, you need to:
- Discuss how climate change affects freshwater resources
- Explain how human activities like agriculture and industry impact water resources
- Compare these two factors and provide your own reasoned opinion
- Support your arguments with relevant examples and evidence
Remember to maintain a balanced approach while clearly stating your position.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change and human activities are both significant threats to the world’s freshwater resources, but in my opinion, climate change poses the more severe long-term danger. This essay will examine both perspectives before explaining why I believe climate change is the more critical issue.
Those who argue that human activities are the primary threat to freshwater resources have substantial evidence to support their view. Agriculture, for instance, accounts for approximately 70% of global freshwater use, often leading to overexploitation of water sources and pollution from pesticides and fertilizers. Industrial processes not only consume vast quantities of water but also frequently contaminate water bodies with toxic chemicals and waste. In many regions, urbanization has led to the depletion of groundwater reserves and the destruction of natural water systems.
Human activities polluting water resources
On the other hand, climate change presents a more insidious and far-reaching threat to freshwater resources. Rising global temperatures are causing glaciers and polar ice caps to melt at unprecedented rates, altering the natural water cycle and leading to changes in precipitation patterns. This results in more frequent and severe droughts in some areas, while others experience increased flooding. Moreover, sea-level rise due to climate change leads to saltwater intrusion into coastal freshwater aquifers, rendering them unusable for human consumption or agriculture.
While human activities have immediate and visible impacts on water resources, I believe climate change poses a greater long-term threat for several reasons. Firstly, the effects of climate change are global and do not respect national boundaries, making them more challenging to address through local or national policies. Secondly, the impacts of climate change on water resources are often irreversible or extremely difficult to mitigate, such as the loss of glacial water sources or the salinization of aquifers. Finally, climate change exacerbates the negative impacts of human activities on water resources, creating a compounding effect that accelerates water scarcity and degradation.
In conclusion, while both human activities and climate change significantly threaten freshwater resources, I contend that climate change represents the more severe long-term danger due to its global scale, irreversible nature, and amplifying effect on other water-related issues. Addressing this challenge will require coordinated global action to mitigate climate change while simultaneously implementing sustainable water management practices.
(Word count: 398)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that would likely earn it a Band 8 or 9 score:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of linking words and phrases (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “Firstly”, “Secondly”).
Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “insidious”, “unprecedented”, “salinization”, “exacerbates”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex structures used accurately (e.g., “Those who argue that…”, “while simultaneously implementing…”).
Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Conclusion: The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and restates the writer’s opinion.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Climate change and human activities are both big problems for the world’s freshwater resources. Some people think climate change is worse, while others believe human activities like farming and factories are more dangerous. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
People who say human activities are the biggest threat have some good points. Farming uses a lot of water, and sometimes farmers use too much water from rivers and underground. Also, the chemicals they use can pollute the water. Factories and cities use a lot of water too, and they often make the water dirty with waste and chemicals. These problems can be seen in many countries around the world.
However, climate change is also a very serious problem for freshwater. As the Earth gets warmer, ice in mountains and at the poles is melting faster. This changes how water moves around the planet. Some places are getting more droughts, while others have more floods. Climate change is also making sea levels rise, which can make freshwater near the coast become salty and unusable.
In my opinion, climate change is a bigger threat to freshwater resources. This is because it affects the whole world, not just one area. It’s also very hard to stop or fix the problems caused by climate change. For example, once a glacier melts, it’s gone forever. Climate change also makes the problems caused by human activities even worse.
To conclude, both human activities and climate change are dangerous for freshwater resources. But I think climate change is more serious because it affects everywhere and is hard to fix. We need to work together to stop climate change and use water more carefully to protect our freshwater resources.
(Word count: 295)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates qualities that would likely earn it a Band 6 or 7 score:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and stating the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with separate paragraphs for each main idea. Some linking words are used (e.g., “However”, “Also”, “To conclude”), but they could be more varied.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is generally appropriate, but less sophisticated than the Band 8-9 essay. There’s some attempt at using topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., “droughts”, “floods”, “glacier”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with generally good control of grammar. However, it lacks the sophistication of the higher band essay.
Development of Ideas: Main points are supported with examples, but the explanations are less detailed and nuanced compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main points and restates the writer’s opinion, but in a simpler manner than the higher band essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Freshwater resources (noun) – /ˈfreʃˌwɔːtə(r) rɪˈsɔːsɪz/ – Sources of water that are not salty, suitable for human use
Climate change (noun) – /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ – Long-term changes in global weather patterns
Overexploitation (noun) – /ˌəʊvərˌeksplɔɪˈteɪʃn/ – Excessive use of a resource
Contaminate (verb) – /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/ – To make something impure by exposure to or addition of harmful substances
Precipitation (noun) – /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn/ – Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground
Aquifer (noun) – /ˈækwɪfə(r)/ – An underground layer of water-bearing rock
Salinization (noun) – /ˌsælɪnaɪˈzeɪʃn/ – The process of increasing salt content in soil or water
Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – To make less severe or reduce the negative impacts of something
Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting resources
Irreversible (adjective) – /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/ – Not able to be undone or altered
Conclusion
The impact of climate change on freshwater resources is a crucial topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. By understanding the key issues and practicing with sample essays like those provided, you can improve your ability to write high-scoring responses on this topic.
Remember to:
- Clearly address all parts of the question
- Use a range of appropriate vocabulary and complex grammatical structures
- Develop your ideas with relevant examples and explanations
- Maintain a coherent structure with clear paragraphing and use of linking words
To further enhance your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- The role of governments in protecting freshwater resources
- The impact of water scarcity on global food security
- Innovative technologies for water conservation and management
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!