IELTS Writing Task 2: Climate Change - Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown

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Full Prompt

Some people believe that individuals should be responsible for tackling climate change, while others argue that governments and large corporations should take the lead. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 7.5 Sample Answer

| Band 7.5 Sample Answer | |------------------------| | Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges facing our planet, and there is considerable debate regarding who should bear primary responsibility for addressing this issue. While some contend that individuals must take the initiative to combat climate change, others argue that governments and large corporations wield far greater influence and resources to effect meaningful change.

On one hand, individuals can make significant contributions to mitigating climate change. By adopting more sustainable lifestyles, such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and choosing environmentally friendly products, people can collectively create substantial positive impact. For instance, research by the University of Cambridge shows that if everyone in the UK reduced their meat consumption by 30%, the country could lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 5.5%. This demonstrates how individual actions, when multiplied across populations, can yield tangible results.

However, governments and corporations possess the power and resources to enact changes on a much larger scale. National governments can implement policies that incentivize renewable energy adoption, enforce stricter emissions regulations, and invest in green technologies. Similarly, large corporations, which often have significant carbon footprints, can implement sustainable practices across their entire operations. For example, the European Union's commitment to becoming climate neutral by 2050 showcases how comprehensive government policies can drive systemic change.

In my view, while individual actions are important, they are insufficient to address climate change effectively. Governments and corporations must take the lead in implementing large-scale solutions, with individuals supporting these efforts through their daily choices. A multi-faceted approach that engages all sectors of society offers the best chance of mitigating the worst effects of climate change.

Scoring Breakdown

Task Response (TR 7.0)

• Presents a clear position throughout the response
• Presents, extends, and supports main trends, arguments, or points of view but with some limitations
• Provides relevant and sufficient support for the main trends, arguments, or points of view but with some irrelevant or less relevant ideas

Coherence and Cohesion (CC 7.5)

• Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and between sentences is occasionally less clear
• Arranges information and ideas into paragraphs appropriately, though there may be some unevenness in paragraphing

Lexical Resource (LR 7.5)

• Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision
• Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inappropriate or repetitive word choices
• Makes some errors in word choice and spelling but they do not impede communication

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA 7.5)

• Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
• Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they do not impede communication

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Pressing (adjective): urgent and requiring immediate attention

• Example: "Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges."

1. Wield (verb): to hold and use power or influence

• Example: "Others argue that governments and large corporations wield far greater influence."

1. Mitigating (verb): making something less severe or serious

• Example: "Individuals can make significant contributions to mitigating climate change."

1. Sustainable (adjective): able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources

• Example: "By adopting more sustainable lifestyles."

1. Enforce (verb): to make sure that a law or rule is obeyed

• Example: "Governments can... enforce stricter emissions regulations."

1. Incentivize (verb): to encourage someone to do something by offering a reward or advantage

• Example: "Governments can implement policies that incentivize renewable energy adoption."

1. Systemic (adjective): affecting an entire system

• Example: "Comprehensive government policies can drive systemic change."

1. Multi-faceted (adjective): having many different aspects or features

• Example: "A multi-faceted approach that engages all sectors of society."

1. Tangible (adjective): clear and real, not abstract

• Example: "Collective positive impact can yield tangible results."

1. Enact (verb): to make a law or other official plan officially valid

• Example: "Governments must take the lead in enacting large-scale solutions."

1. Multiplied (verb): increased greatly in number or amount

• Example: "Individual actions, when multiplied across populations."

1. Incentivize (verb): to encourage someone to do something by offering a reward or advantage

• Example: "Governments can implement policies that incentivize renewable energy adoption."

1. Systemic (adjective): affecting an entire system

• Example: "Comprehensive government policies can drive systemic change."

1. Multi-faceted (adjective): having many different aspects or features

• Example: "A multi-faceted approach that engages all sectors of society."

1. Tangible (adjective): clear and real, not abstract

• Example: "Collective positive impact can yield tangible results."

1. Enact (verb): to make a law or other official plan officially valid

• Example: "Governments must take the lead in enacting large-scale solutions."

1. Multiplied (verb): increased greatly in number or amount

• Example: "Individual actions, when multiplied across populations."

1. Substantial (adjective): large in amount or value

• Example: "Collectively create substantial positive impact."

1. Collectively (adverb): done by people or groups acting together

• Example: "Collectively create substantial positive impact."

1. Effective (adjective): successful in producing a desired result

• Example: "They are insufficient to address climate change effectively."

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Taking a neutral position: This task requires a clear opinion, not just presenting both sides equally.
2. Using vague vocabulary: Words like "good," "bad," "important" are too general. Use specific, precise vocabulary instead.
3. Ignoring task requirements: Some students write about unrelated topics or only discuss one side.
4. Poor time management: Running out of time leads to incomplete responses or rushed conclusions.
5. Overusing complex sentences: This can lead to grammatical errors and reduce clarity.
6. Lack of supporting details: General statements without specific examples weaken the argument.
7. Inconsistent tense usage: Maintaining consistent verb tenses throughout the response is crucial.
8. Irrelevant examples: Using examples that do not directly support the argument.
9. Overcomplicating language: Trying to use complex vocabulary or structures can lead to errors.
10. Poor paragraph structure: Each paragraph should focus on one main idea with supporting details.

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