The topic of renewable energy and its environmental impact has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in approximately 15% of recent tests. This reflects growing global concern about sustainable energy solutions and climate change. Let’s explore this topic through sample essays at different band scores.
The impact of renewable energy on environmental sustainability has become a crucial discussion point in academic writing, particularly in IELTS examinations.
Analysis of Task 2 Question
Some people believe that the development of renewable energy is crucial for solving environmental problems, while others argue that renewable energy is not reliable enough to replace traditional energy sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy
- Present balanced arguments for both viewpoints
- Provide a clear personal stance
- Support arguments with relevant examples
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Climate change and environmental degradation have sparked intense debate about energy solutions, with renewable energy at the forefront of these discussions. While some advocate for rapid renewable energy adoption, others maintain skepticism about its reliability. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my view.
Proponents of renewable energy emphasize its crucial role in addressing environmental challenges. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases, directly contributing to reduced carbon emissions. For example, Denmark now produces over 40% of its electricity from wind power, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy to significantly decrease environmental impact. Additionally, renewable energy technologies are becoming increasingly cost-effective, making them more viable for widespread adoption.
However, critics raise valid concerns about reliability issues. Traditional energy sources provide consistent power output regardless of weather conditions, whereas solar and wind power depend on favorable environmental conditions. This intermittency could potentially disrupt power supply to critical infrastructure like hospitals and industrial facilities. Furthermore, current energy storage technologies have limitations in addressing these reliability challenges.
The role of renewable energy in achieving carbon neutrality is undeniable, despite these challenges.
In my opinion, while reliability concerns are legitimate, they should not prevent the transition to renewable energy. Technological advancements in energy storage and smart grid systems are rapidly addressing reliability issues. Moreover, the environmental benefits far outweigh the temporary challenges of transition. A hybrid approach, gradually increasing renewable energy while maintaining some conventional sources as backup, could provide a practical solution.
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Nowadays, many people discuss about renewable energy and its effects on environment. Some think it is very important for solving environmental problems, but others say it is not reliable enough. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
On one side, renewable energy has many benefits for environment. First, it does not create pollution like coal and oil. For example, solar panels and wind turbines make clean electricity without smoke or dangerous gases. Also, these energy sources will never finish because sun and wind are always there.
However, some people worry about problems with renewable energy. Sometimes wind doesn’t blow and sun doesn’t shine, so we cannot get power. This is big problem for factories and hospitals that need electricity all time. Also, batteries for storing energy are expensive and not very good yet.
How renewable energy affects global geopolitics demonstrates its growing importance beyond environmental concerns.
I think renewable energy is very important for our future. Although it has some problems now, technology is getting better every year. We should use both renewable and traditional energy together until renewable becomes more reliable.
Vocabulary Analysis
- intermittency (n) /ɪnˈtɜːmɪtənsi/ – occurring at irregular intervals
- viable (adj) /ˈvaɪəbl/ – capable of working successfully
- infrastructure (n) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – basic physical systems of a country
- degradation (n) /ˌdegrəˈdeɪʃn/ – deterioration of quality
- transition (n) /trænˈzɪʃn/ – process of changing from one state to another
Global renewable energy implementation and infrastructure
Score Analysis
The Band 8-9 essay demonstrates:
- Clear organization and coherent ideas
- Sophisticated vocabulary use
- Complex sentence structures
- Well-developed arguments
- Appropriate examples
The Band 6-7 essay shows:
- Basic organization
- Simple but clear arguments
- Some grammar errors
- Limited vocabulary range
- Basic example usage
Consider practicing with these similar topics:
- The economic impact of renewable energy adoption
- Government policies for sustainable energy
- The future of renewable energy technology
Share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and improvement suggestions.
