Space tourism has been a topic of increasing interest in recent years, with several private companies now offering commercial space flights. This subject has also gained attention in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, appearing in various forms over the past few years. Based on current trends, it is likely to continue being a relevant topic for future IELTS exams. Let’s examine a specific question related to space tourism that has appeared in past IELTS exams:
Some people think that space tourism should be encouraged while others think it should be banned. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question asks candidates to explore both perspectives on space tourism and provide their personal stance on the matter. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question presents a balanced argument about space tourism, asking candidates to:
- Discuss reasons why some people believe space tourism should be encouraged
- Explore arguments for banning space tourism
- Provide a personal opinion on the issue
To effectively answer this question, candidates should:
- Present a clear and balanced discussion of both viewpoints
- Use specific examples and reasons to support each perspective
- Clearly state their own opinion and provide justification
- Maintain a coherent structure throughout the essay
- Use appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay for Band 8
Space exploration has always captured human imagination, and with recent advancements in technology, space tourism has become a reality. While some argue that this new frontier should be encouraged, others believe it should be prohibited. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view on the matter.
Proponents of space tourism argue that it can bring numerous benefits to society. Firstly, it can drive technological innovation, as companies strive to develop safer and more efficient spacecraft. These advancements could have spillover effects in other industries, such as aviation and materials science. Secondly, space tourism could inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers, fostering interest in space-related fields and potentially accelerating our understanding of the universe. Lastly, as more people experience the “overview effect” – the profound shift in perspective reported by astronauts upon seeing Earth from space – it could lead to increased environmental awareness and global cooperation.
On the other hand, those who advocate for banning space tourism cite several concerns. The primary argument is the environmental impact, as rocket launches produce significant carbon emissions and contribute to atmospheric pollution. Additionally, there are safety concerns, as space travel inherently carries risks that may not be fully understood or mitigated. Critics also argue that space tourism is an extravagant luxury accessible only to the ultra-wealthy, potentially exacerbating social inequality and diverting resources from more pressing earthly issues.
In my opinion, while the concerns raised by opponents are valid, the potential benefits of space tourism outweigh the drawbacks. I believe that with proper regulation and continued technological advancements, the environmental and safety issues can be addressed. Moreover, the inspiration and scientific progress that could result from expanded space exploration could prove invaluable for addressing global challenges, including climate change and resource scarcity.
In conclusion, space tourism represents a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. However, I believe that encouraging this industry, while implementing strict safety and environmental standards, is the best path forward. By doing so, we can harness the potential of space exploration to drive innovation, inspire future generations, and potentially find solutions to some of our most pressing global issues.
(Word count: 365)
Pros and cons of space tourism
Explanation of Band 8 Score
This essay would likely receive a Band 8 score for the following reasons:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively, and each paragraph has a clear central topic.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Some examples include:
- “captured human imagination”
- “spillover effects”
- “overview effect”
- “exacerbating social inequality”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used flexibly and accurately. It contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with minimal errors.
Argument and Critical Thinking: The essay presents a balanced and nuanced argument, considering multiple perspectives before arriving at a well-reasoned conclusion.
Sample Essay for Band 6-7
In recent years, space tourism has become a hot topic of discussion. Some people think it’s a great idea and should be supported, while others believe it should not be allowed. This essay will look at both sides of the argument and give my opinion.
Those who support space tourism say it can bring many good things. First, it can help develop new technologies that might be useful for other areas like regular air travel or making new materials. Second, it could make more people interested in science and space, which could lead to new discoveries. Finally, people who go to space might come back with a new view of Earth, which could make them care more about the environment.
On the other hand, people against space tourism have some valid concerns. The main worry is that rocket launches are bad for the environment because they release a lot of pollution. There are also safety issues because space travel is still very dangerous. Some people also think it’s not fair that only very rich people can go to space when there are still many problems on Earth that need solving.
In my opinion, I think space tourism should be allowed but with strict rules. While I understand the worries about the environment and safety, I believe that the potential benefits are too important to ignore. New technologies from space tourism could help us solve problems on Earth, and inspiring more people to study science could lead to important breakthroughs.
To conclude, space tourism is a complex issue with both good and bad points. However, I think that if we manage it carefully, the positives can outweigh the negatives. We should encourage space tourism while also working to make it safer and less harmful to the environment.
(Word count: 309)
Space tourism driving technological advancements
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay would likely receive a Band 6-7 score for the following reasons:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with some supporting ideas. However, the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. It uses some cohesive devices, but not always with complete flexibility.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, but with some inaccuracy. Examples include:
- “hot topic of discussion”
- “valid concerns”
- “strict rules”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Argument and Critical Thinking: The essay presents a clear argument with some evidence of critical thinking. However, the ideas are less fully developed and the analysis is not as deep as in the Band 8 essay.
Sample Essay for Band 5
Space tourism is a new thing that some people like and some people don’t like. In this essay, I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
Some people think space tourism is good. They say it can help make new technology that we can use for other things. Also, it can make people interested in science and space. When people go to space, they might think differently about Earth and want to protect it more.
But other people think space tourism is bad. They worry about pollution from rockets. They also think it’s dangerous to go to space. Some people say it’s not fair because only rich people can do it.
I think space tourism is mostly good. Even though there are some problems, I believe the good things are more important. We can learn a lot from space tourism and it might help us solve problems on Earth.
In conclusion, space tourism has good and bad points. But I think we should allow it and try to make it better and safer.
(Word count: 162)
Environmental impact of space tourism
Explanation of Band 5 Score
This essay would likely receive a Band 5 score for the following reasons:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task in a minimal way. It presents a position, but the ideas are limited and lack development.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is organized in a basic way, with some use of cohesive devices, but these are not always logical or appropriate.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a limited range of vocabulary. Most words are simple and repetitive, with few attempts at more sophisticated language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses mostly simple sentences with limited accuracy. There are frequent errors, but the meaning is generally clear.
Argument and Critical Thinking: The essay presents a basic argument with minimal critical thinking. Ideas are stated rather than developed or analyzed.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Space tourism (noun) – /speɪs ˈtʊərɪzəm/ – The activity of travelling into space for recreational purposes.
Technological innovation (noun phrase) – /ˌteknəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ – The process of developing and introducing new methods, ideas, or products using technology.
Environmental impact (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈɪmpækt/ – The effect of human activities on the natural environment.
Carbon emissions (noun phrase) – /ˈkɑːbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – The release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Overview effect (noun phrase) – /ˈəʊvəvjuː ɪˈfekt/ – A cognitive shift reported by some astronauts when viewing Earth from space.
Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – To make a problem or bad situation worse.
Spillover effects (noun phrase) – /ˈspɪləʊvər ɪˈfekts/ – The indirect consequences or benefits that result from a particular activity or policy.
Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
Extravagant (adjective) – /ɪkˈstrævəɡənt/ – Lacking restraint in spending money or using resources.
Atmospheric pollution (noun phrase) – /ˌætməsˈferɪk pəˈluːʃən/ – The presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or materials.
In conclusion, the topic of space tourism presents a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. As you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam, consider practicing with similar topics that explore the balance between technological advancement and environmental concerns. Some potential future topics might include:
- The ethics of colonizing other planets
- The role of private companies in space exploration
- The allocation of resources between space programs and Earth-based issues
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
Should governments invest in space colonization is another related topic you might want to explore to further enhance your understanding of space-related issues in IELTS Writing Task 2. Additionally, considering the importance of protecting forests for maintaining biodiversity can provide valuable insights into environmental concerns that are often juxtaposed with technological advancements like space tourism.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.