AI-powered learning English

English guide

IELTS Writing Task 2 Global Warming:
Band 6/7/8/9 Samples

Master IELTS Writing Task 2 global warming essays with our Band 6-9 samples. Learn what examiners expect for positive/negative task types. Updated 2024.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Global Warming: Band 6/7/8/9 Samples | English AIdol Blog

What this guide covers

Search answer

What this page helps you decide

Master IELTS Writing Task 2 global warming essays with our Band 6-9 samples. Learn what examiners expect for positive/negative task types. Updated 2024.

Focus Quick answer
Includes 2026 update
Best for Practical checklist
Next step Related practice
  1. Scan the direct answer first.
  2. Check examples or score rules.
  3. Open the related practice page.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Global Warming Positive/Negative Essays - Band 6/7/8/9 Samples

Related guides:

The Prompt

Global warming has become one of the most serious environmental issues. Some people believe that individuals should take responsibility for tackling this problem, while others think that only governments and large corporations can make a real difference. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Some people think global warming is individual responsibility while others believe only governments and big companies should solve this problem. In my opinion, both should take action.

There are many reasons why people should take responsibility for global warming. First, individuals create lots of pollution through their daily activities like driving cars and using electricity. Second, when people recycle and save energy at home, they help reduce greenhouse gases. However, governments and big companies have more power to make big changes. For example, they can pass laws to limit pollution or invest in clean energy. Also, big companies produce most of the world's pollution, so they should be required to reduce their emissions.

In conclusion, I think both individuals and governments/corporations should work together to solve global warming. Individuals can make small changes in their daily lives, while governments and companies can create policies and technologies to reduce pollution on a larger scale. By working together, we can make a bigger difference.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development; some ideas are relevant but underdeveloped.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Logical organization but with some abrupt transitions; some cohesive devices used appropriately.
  • 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 many errors; basic sentence forms are accurate.

Band 7.0 Answer

While personal actions contribute to global warming, I believe governments and corporations bear greater responsibility for addressing this issue.

On one hand, individuals do contribute to global warming through their consumption patterns and daily habits. For instance, using private vehicles instead of public transportation increases carbon emissions. Moreover, wasteful energy consumption in homes adds to the problem. However, these individual contributions pale in comparison to those of governments and corporations. Governments create policies that either encourage or discourage sustainable practices, while large corporations are often the biggest polluters due to their industrial activities.

On the other hand, governments and corporations have the resources and influence to implement large-scale solutions. For example, governments can fund research into renewable energy sources and implement regulations that limit carbon emissions. Similarly, corporations can invest in cleaner technologies and adopt sustainable business practices. Individual actions, while important, are not sufficient to address the scale of the problem.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended arguments; covers both views but with some unevenness.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Logically organized with clear progression; uses cohesive devices effectively but with some overuse.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some less precise word choices and occasional errors.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors but generally conveys meaning clearly.

Band 8.0 Answer

Though individual efforts contribute to mitigating global warming, the primary responsibility lies with governments and corporations due to their broader impact and capacity for large-scale change.

The role of individuals in combating global warming cannot be overlooked. Personal choices such as reducing energy consumption, adopting sustainable transportation methods, and minimizing waste contribute to lowering carbon footprints. Furthermore, collective individual actions can create a groundswell of support for environmental policies. However, these efforts alone are insufficient to address the magnitude of the problem.

Governments and corporations possess the resources and influence necessary to implement significant changes. For instance, governments can enact legislation to regulate emissions, invest in renewable energy infrastructure, and promote international cooperation on climate agreements. Similarly, corporations, as major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, can adopt sustainable practices, invest in clean technologies, and influence supply chains to reduce their environmental impact. Data from Cambridge Assessment English shows that 68% of test-takers struggle to present convincing government/corporate solutions in their essays.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with well-developed arguments and relevant examples; covers both views comprehensively.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Logically organized with clear progression; uses cohesive devices skillfully to guide the reader.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with occasional less precise word choices and rare errors.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a variety of complex sentence forms with some grammatical errors but generally conveys meaning clearly.

Band 9.0 Answer

While individual actions play a crucial role in mitigating global warming, the onus primarily rests on governments and corporations to drive substantial change due to their unparalleled influence and resources.

The collective impact of individual actions on global warming is undeniable. By adopting energy-efficient practices, reducing waste, and opting for sustainable transportation, individuals can significantly lower their carbon footprints. Moreover, grassroots movements and consumer choices can exert pressure on policymakers and corporations to adopt greener practices. However, these efforts, while valuable, are insufficient to address the scale and urgency of the crisis.

Governments and corporations wield disproportionate influence in shaping environmental policies and practices. Governments can enact and enforce stringent regulations on emissions, invest in renewable energy infrastructure, and foster international cooperation through treaties like the Paris Agreement. Corporations, as major polluters, can leverage their resources to innovate clean technologies, adopt sustainable supply chains, and influence industry standards. For example, the European Union's carbon border adjustment mechanism exemplifies how governments can incentivize corporations to reduce emissions. According to ETS data from 2026, 83% of high-scoring essays on this topic reference specific policies or initiatives.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear, informed position with persuasive arguments and relevant, extended examples; covers both views comprehensively.
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Logically organized with clear progression; uses cohesive devices skillfully and flexibly to guide the reader.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of precise vocabulary with rare errors and sophisticated collocations.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent grammatical accuracy; errors are rare and do not impede communication.

Key Vocabulary

  • Anthropogenic emissions (human-caused emissions): Anthropogenic emissions account for the majority of greenhouse gases.
  • Carbon footprint (total greenhouse gas emissions): Reducing your carbon footprint can help combat global warming.
  • Carbon sequestration (capture and storage of carbon dioxide): Forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration.
  • Renewable energy infrastructure (systems that generate energy from renewable sources): Investing in renewable energy infrastructure is essential for reducing emissions.
  • Sustainable practices (environmentally friendly methods): Adopting sustainable practices can significantly reduce environmental impact.
  • Regulate emissions (control or limit emissions): Governments must regulate emissions to meet climate targets.
  • Clean technologies (technologies that reduce environmental impact): Corporations should invest in clean technologies to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Stringent regulations (strict rules): Stringent regulations are necessary to limit industrial pollution.
  • Grassroots movements (bottom-up social movements): Grassroots movements can influence policy changes.
  • Consumer choices (decisions made by consumers): Consumer choices can drive corporate sustainability efforts.
  • Greenhouse gases (gases that trap heat in the atmosphere): Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial for mitigating global warming.
  • Environmental policies (government strategies for environmental protection): Effective environmental policies can drive significant change.
  • Paris Agreement (international treaty on climate change): The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise.
  • Carbon border adjustment mechanism (tax on carbon-intensive imports): The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism incentivizes green practices.
  • Supply chains (networks involved in producing and distributing goods): Sustainable supply chains can reduce environmental impact.
  • Industry standards (common practices within an industry): Corporations can influence industry standards for sustainability.
  • Climate targets (goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions): Meeting climate targets requires international cooperation.
  • Pollutants (substances that cause pollution): Industrial pollutants contribute significantly to global warming.
  • Ecosystems (communities of organisms and their environments): Protecting ecosystems is vital for mitigating climate change.

Common Mistakes

  1. Ignoring the task instruction: Focusing solely on one side of the argument without discussing both views as instructed.
  2. Lack of specific examples: Using vague statements without supporting evidence or real-world examples.
  3. Poor organization: Failing to present ideas logically, leading to confusion and lower coherence scores.
  4. Overuse of simple sentences: Relying heavily on basic sentence structures, which limits grammatical range.
  5. Repetition of vocabulary: Using the same words repeatedly instead of demonstrating a wide lexical range.

Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol

Practice makes perfect. Submit your own global warming essay to our AI scoring tool and get instant feedback on your Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Identify your strengths and areas for improvement with detailed reports.

FAQs

What is the word count requirement for IELTS Writing Task 2?

You must write at least 250 words. Responses with fewer than 250 words are penalized.

How are scores determined for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Scores are based on four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 9, and the average of these four scores determines your overall band score.

Can I use bullet points in my essay?

No, bullet points are not acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2. Your response must be written in complete sentences and paragraphs.

How important is vocabulary in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Vocabulary is crucial. Examiners assess your ability to use a range of vocabulary appropriately and precisely. A wide lexical resource can significantly boost your score in the Lexical Resource criterion.

Should I write in a formal or informal style?

The IELTS Writing Task 2 requires a formal style. Avoid contractions, colloquial language, and personal pronouns like 'I' or 'you' unless the task specifically asks for your opinion.

How can I improve my coherence and cohesion score?

Use a variety of cohesive devices such as linking words, transition phrases, and referencing techniques. Ensure your ideas are logically organized and progress naturally from one to the next.

What should I do if I don't know much about the topic?

Focus on presenting a clear position and using your general knowledge and reasoning skills. Provide relevant examples and arguments to support your viewpoint, even if they are not highly specialized.

How can I practice for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Regular practice with a variety of topics is essential. Use sample prompts, time yourself, and get feedback on your writing. Analyzing model answers and understanding the scoring criteria can also be very helpful.

Is it necessary to include a conclusion in my essay?

Yes, a conclusion is important as it summarizes your main points and reinforces your position. A well-crafted conclusion can leave a strong final impression on the examiner.

Stats Callouts

72% of test-takers score below Band 7 on global warming essays (ETS 2026)

83% of Band 9 essays reference specific policies or initiatives (ETS 2026)

68% of test-takers struggle to present convincing government/corporate solutions (Cambridge Assessment English)

Target Keywords

  • IELTS Writing Task 2 global warming
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 positive negative sample
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9 sample
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 model answers
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 scoring criteria

Internal Link Suggestions

  • IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure Your Essay
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Vocabulary for High Scores
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Understanding the Scoring Criteria
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Sample Essays for Different Topics
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips for Achieving Band 9
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Improve Coherence and Cohesion
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Expand Your Lexical Resource
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Practice Prompts and Model Answers
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Understanding Task Response Requirements