IELTS Writing Task 2: Global Warming (Agree Disagree) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
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The Prompt
Global warming presents the greatest threat to life on Earth. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
The global warming is a big problem for our planet. Some people say it is the biggest threat, but I disagree. I think there are other problems that are more important.
First, global warming is not the only problem. There are many other things that can hurt people, like pollution and diseases. These problems can kill people faster than global warming. For example, in some countries, the air is very dirty and people get sick. This is a bigger problem than global warming.
Second, global warming happens slowly. It takes many years to see the effects. Other problems, like wars or famines, happen quickly and hurt people right away. So, I think we should worry about these problems first.
In conclusion, global warming is important, but it is not the biggest threat. We should focus on other problems that hurt people more quickly.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development and unclear focus.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically ordered but with some repetition and unclear referencing.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with frequent errors and limited range.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex sentences but with frequent grammatical errors.
Band 7.0 Answer
Global warming is undoubtedly a severe issue, but whether it is the greatest threat to life on Earth is debatable.
On one hand, global warming has devastating consequences. Rising temperatures lead to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent natural disasters. For instance, countries like the Maldives face existential threats due to rising sea levels. Additionally, extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, are becoming more common, causing significant damage and loss of life.
On the other hand, other threats like nuclear war, pandemics, and political instability also pose significant risks. Nuclear war, for example, can cause immediate and widespread destruction. Pandemics, as seen with COVID-19, can overwhelm healthcare systems and cause global economic disruption. Political instability can lead to conflicts, refugees, and humanitarian crises.
In conclusion, while global warming is a critical issue, it is not the only threat to life on Earth. Other threats, such as nuclear war and pandemics, are equally, if not more, dangerous. Therefore, a balanced approach is needed to address all these threats.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some inconsistencies in referencing.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some less common lexical items but occasional errors.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.
Band 8.0 Answer
The assertion that global warming represents the most significant threat to life on Earth is a contentious one, deserving of nuanced examination.
Proponents of the view that global warming is the greatest threat argue convincingly. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that unchecked global warming could lead to catastrophic consequences, including widespread species extinction, food shortages, and mass displacement of populations. For example, the Arctic is warming at a rate more than twice as fast as the global average, leading to the rapid decline of sea ice, which disrupts ecosystems and contributes to rising sea levels.
However, it is shortsighted to dismiss other existential threats. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock, which represents the likelihood of a man-made global catastrophe, currently stands at 90 seconds to midnight, citing the ongoing risks of nuclear war and climate change. Similarly, the World Health Organization has highlighted the potential for global pandemics to cause widespread devastation, as evidenced by the COVID-19 crisis.
In weighing these threats, it is evident that while global warming is undeniably severe, it is not the sole or even the most immediate threat to life on Earth. A comprehensive approach that addresses multiple existential risks is essential for ensuring the survival and well-being of future generations.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with fully extended and supported ideas, using relevant examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively, with clear progression and logical flow.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with flexibility and precision, with only occasional errors.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.
Band 9.0 Answer
The contention that global warming constitutes the preeminent threat to life on Earth, while compelling, warrants a more differentiated analysis.
Those advocating for the primacy of global warming as an existential threat present a persuasive case. The scientific consensus, as articulated by the IPCC, underscores the irreversible damage that unmitigated global warming could inflict, including the collapse of ecosystems, the acidification of oceans, and the exacerbation of global inequality. For instance, the 2023 IPCC report projected that, under current trajectories, global temperatures could rise by 3°C by the end of the century, leading to unprecedented environmental and social upheaval.
Nevertheless, to posit global warming as the singular or even the most pressing threat is to overlook the multifaceted nature of contemporary risks. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported in 2023 that global military expenditure had reached an all-time high, with nuclear arsenals remaining a persistent and immediate threat to global security. Furthermore, the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2023 identified cybersecurity threats, biodiversity loss, and water crises as equally critical risks that demand urgent attention.
In conclusion, while global warming is an undeniably grave threat, it is not the sole or even the most immediate peril confronting humanity. A holistic approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of global risks and prioritizes collaborative, multilateral solutions is essential for safeguarding the future of our planet and its inhabitants.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with fully extended and supported ideas, using relevant, accurate, and varied examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively, with clear progression and logical flow, and uses paragraphing appropriately.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with flexibility and precision, and uses less common lexical items appropriately.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences and only very occasional errors.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Undoubtedly (adverb): without doubt; certainly.
- Example: Undoubtedly, global warming is a severe issue.
- Devastating (adjective): causing great damage or destruction.
- Example: Global warming has devastating consequences.
- Existential (adjective): relating to existence.
- Example: Existential threats pose significant risks.
- Intergovernmental (adjective): involving cooperation between governments.
- Example: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
- Catastrophic (adjective): involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.
- Example: Unchecked global warming could lead to catastrophic consequences.
- Nuanced (adjective): characterized by subtle distinctions or shades of meaning.
- Example: A nuanced examination of the issue.
- Contentious (adjective): causing or likely to cause disagreement; controversial.
- Example: The assertion is a contentious one.
- Proponents (noun): a person who advocates for a theory, proposal, or course of action.
- Example: Proponents of the view argue convincingly.
- Shortsighted (adjective): lacking foresight; not considering the future.
- Example: It is shortsighted to dismiss other threats.
- Comprehensive (adjective): including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.
- Example: A comprehensive approach is needed.
- Irreversible (adjective): not able to be undone or changed back.
- Example: The irreversible damage of global warming.
- Articulated (verb): expressed clearly and coherently.
- Example: The scientific consensus was articulated by the IPCC.
- Trajectories (noun): the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces.
- Example: Under current trajectories, global temperatures could rise.
- Multifaceted (adjective): having many different aspects or features.
- Example: The multifaceted nature of contemporary risks.
- Holistic (adjective): characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
- Example: A holistic approach is essential.
- Collaborative (adjective): produced or achieved by two or more people or agencies working together.
- Example: Collaborative, multilateral solutions are needed.
- Articulate (verb): express a complicated idea or emotion clearly and coherently.
- Example: She articulated her thoughts clearly.
- Persuasive (adjective): good at persuading someone to do or believe something through reasoning.
- Example: A persuasive case.
- Exacerbation (noun): the process of making a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
- Example: The exacerbation of global inequality.
- Multilateral (adjective): involving or done by three or more groups or countries.
- Example: Multilateral solutions are essential.
Common Mistakes
- Lack of Clear Position: Many students fail to present a clear position on the issue, leading to a lower Task Response score.
- Inadequate Examples: Using vague or irrelevant examples weakens the argument and reduces the overall score.
- Poor Coherence and Cohesion: Inconsistent use of cohesive devices and poor paragraphing can make the essay difficult to follow.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using repetitive or basic vocabulary limits the Lexical Resource score.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors, especially in complex sentences, can significantly lower the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.
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