IELTS Writing Task 2: Global Warming — Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown

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Full Prompt

Some people believe that global warming is the most pressing environmental challenge, while others argue that there are more urgent issues to address. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Responses

Band 6.0 Response

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but develops ideas in a limited way. Some relevant ideas are presented but not supported sufficiently.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but there may be some unevenness in progression. Some use of cohesive devices but not always precise.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Attempts to use a mix of vocabulary but errors in word choice and collocation are present.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex sentences but makes frequent grammatical errors that may obscure meaning.

Response

Global warming is a big problem that many people are worried about. Some think it is the most important environmental issue, while others believe there are more urgent things to fix. I think both sides have good points.

On one hand, global warming is very serious. The earth is getting hotter, and this causes many problems like melting ice and strange weather. If we don't do something, it will be very bad for the future. Many scientists say we need to act now to stop this problem.

On the other hand, some people say there are other important issues. For example, pollution in cities is making people sick, and many animals are dying because of humans. These problems are also very important and need attention. Maybe we should fix these first before worrying about global warming.

In my opinion, global warming is very important, but we should also pay attention to other environmental problems. We need to find a balance and work on all these issues together. The government should make rules to help the environment, and people should also do their part to protect the planet.

Band 7.5 Response

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response with some development of arguments. Addresses all parts of the task but may not be fully extended.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.5 - Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively but may occasionally use them in a mechanical way or make errors in referencing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey ideas but may make some errors in word choice or collocation.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors that may still obscure meaning.

Response

The issue of global warming has become a contentious topic, with some advocating it as the most pressing environmental challenge, while others contend that more immediate issues demand our attention. This essay will explore both perspectives before offering a personal opinion.

Those who advocate that global warming is the most critical issue often cite the irreversible damage it causes to the planet. Rising temperatures lead to the melting of polar ice caps, which in turn contributes to rising sea levels and the displacement of coastal communities. Furthermore, extreme weather events such as hurricanes and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, posing significant threats to both human life and ecosystems. Addressing global warming, therefore, is seen as a matter of urgency to mitigate these catastrophic consequences.

Conversely, proponents of other pressing environmental issues argue that problems such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss require immediate action. For instance, air pollution in urban areas has been linked to respiratory diseases and premature deaths, making it a critical health concern. Similarly, deforestation not only leads to habitat loss but also exacerbates climate change by reducing the planet's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. These issues, they argue, cannot be overlooked in favor of focusing solely on global warming.

In my view, while global warming is undoubtedly a severe threat, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach to environmental protection. Rather than prioritizing one issue over another, we should strive to address all pressing environmental challenges simultaneously. Governments, organizations, and individuals must collaborate to implement sustainable practices and policies that mitigate the adverse effects of global warming while also tackling other critical environmental issues. Only through a comprehensive and integrated approach can we hope to preserve our planet for future generations.

Band 8.0 Response

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response with fully extended and supported arguments. Addresses all parts of the task with a clear progression.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of cohesive devices effectively to guide the reader through the response.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey ideas precisely, with occasional less precise word choices or collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors that may still obscure meaning.

Response

The debate surrounding global warming as the most pressing environmental challenge has garnered significant attention. While some argue that it demands immediate action, others posit that more urgent issues require prioritization. This essay will explore both viewpoints before presenting a personal stance.

Advocates for global warming as the primary environmental concern highlight the irreversible damage it inflicts on the planet. The escalating temperatures contribute to the rapid melting of polar ice caps, resulting in rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities. Moreover, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and prolonged droughts, pose substantial risks to both human life and delicate ecosystems. Addressing global warming, therefore, is seen as a critical endeavor to avert these dire consequences.

Conversely, those who emphasize other pressing environmental issues argue that problems such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss demand immediate attention. For instance, air pollution in urban areas has been linked to a myriad of health issues, including respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems. Similarly, deforestation not only leads to habitat destruction but also exacerbates climate change by diminishing the planet's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. These issues, they contend, cannot be ignored in favor of focusing exclusively on global warming.

In my opinion, while global warming is undeniably a severe threat, a comprehensive approach to environmental protection is essential. Rather than prioritizing one issue over another, we must strive to address all critical environmental challenges concurrently. Governments, organizations, and individuals must collaborate to implement sustainable practices and policies that mitigate the adverse effects of global warming while also tackling other pressing environmental issues. Only through a holistic and integrated approach can we effectively safeguard our planet for future generations.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Contentious (adjective) - causing or likely to cause people to argue

• Example: The issue of global warming has become a contentious topic.

1. Irreversible (adjective) - impossible to reverse or change back

• Example: The irreversible damage caused by global warming.

1. Exacerbate (verb) - to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse

• Example: Deforestation exacerbates climate change.

1. 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 to environmental protection.

1. Mitigate (verb) - to make less severe, serious, or painful

• Example: Implementing policies to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming.

1. Catastrophic (adjective) - involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering

• Example: The catastrophic consequences of global warming.

1. Biodiversity (noun) - the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable

• Example: The loss of biodiversity due to deforestation.

1. Urban (adjective) - relating to a city or town

• Example: Air pollution in urban areas.

1. Respiratory (adjective) - relating to the breathing organs, especially the lungs

• Example: Respiratory diseases caused by air pollution.

1. Displacement (noun) - the movement of people from one place to another, usually because of war, natural disasters, or other serious problems

• Example: The displacement of coastal communities due to rising sea levels.

1. Extreme (adjective) - reaching a high or extreme degree; very great

• Example: Extreme weather events such as hurricanes and droughts.

1. Ecosystems (noun) - a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment

• Example: The threats posed to ecosystems by global warming.

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

• Example: Implementing sustainable practices to protect the environment.

1. Collaborate (verb) - to work jointly on an activity or project

• Example: Governments, organizations, and individuals must collaborate to address environmental issues.

1. Integrated (adjective) - combining or coordinating separate elements so as to provide a harmonious, complete product

• Example: An integrated approach to environmental protection.

1. Preserve (verb) - to keep something in its original state; maintain unchanged

• Example: Preserving our planet for future generations.

1. 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 to environmental protection.

1. Exacerbate (verb) - to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse

• Example: Deforestation exacerbates climate change.

1. Prioritize (verb) - to arrange things in order of importance

• Example: Prioritizing one issue over another.

1. Concurrently (adverb) - happening or existing at the same time; simultaneously

• Example: Addressing all critical environmental challenges concurrently.

Common Mistakes

1. Overgeneralization - Some students tend to make sweeping statements without providing sufficient evidence or examples. This weakens the argument and reduces the score for task response.

1. Lack of Clear Position - It is essential to present a clear opinion in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Vague or unclear positions can lead to a lower score for task response.

1. Inadequate Vocabulary - Using repetitive or basic vocabulary can limit the lexical resource score. Students should aim to use a range of vocabulary appropriate to the task.

1. Grammatical Errors - Frequent grammatical errors can obscure meaning and reduce the grammatical range and accuracy score. Students should proofread their essays to minimize errors.

1. Poor Cohesion - Inadequate use of cohesive devices can make the essay difficult to follow. Students should use a variety of cohesive devices to guide the reader through the response.

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