IELTS Writing Task 2: Natural Disasters – Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

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Prompt

Some people believe that natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity due to human activities. Others argue that this is a natural phenomenon that has always occurred. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Answers

Band 6.0

The number of natural disasters is growing because of humans. For example, deforestation causes floods. But some people say disasters have always happened. I think humans are to blame.

Floods happen more often because we cut down trees. Trees stop water from flowing too fast. Without trees, water goes everywhere and floods happen. This is a big problem in many countries.

But some people say disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes have always happened. They say the earth is always changing. This is true, but humans make it worse. For example, building houses near volcanoes is dangerous. We should not live in these places.

In my opinion, humans are causing more disasters. We should stop cutting down trees and building in dangerous places. This will help reduce the number of disasters.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 – Presents a position but lacks development and supporting ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 5.0 – Ideas are linked but with some repetition and lack of clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 – Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with errors and limited range.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 – Attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors.

Band 7.0

The debate over whether natural disasters are increasing due to human activities or are part of natural cycles is complex. While some argue that human actions exacerbate these events, others believe they are inevitable.

On one hand, human activities such as deforestation and industrialization contribute to natural disasters. Deforestation, for instance, leads to soil erosion and floods. Industrialization releases greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change and more severe weather events. These actions undeniably increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters.

On the other hand, some argue that natural disasters have always occurred and are part of the Earth's natural cycles. Earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes are natural phenomena that have happened for millennia. These events are not directly caused by human activities but are part of the planet's geological and atmospheric processes.

In my opinion, while natural disasters are part of the Earth's natural cycles, human activities undeniably exacerbate them. We must take responsibility for our actions and implement measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 – Presents a clear position with some development and supporting ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 – Ideas are logically organized with clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 – Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some errors and limited range.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors.

Band 8.0

The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters have sparked a debate about their causes. While some attribute this trend to human activities, others argue that these events are part of natural cycles.

Proponents of the human impact argument point to deforestation, industrialization, and urbanization as major contributors to natural disasters. Deforestation, for example, leads to soil erosion and floods, while industrialization releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and more severe weather events. These activities undeniably exacerbate natural disasters, making them more frequent and intense.

Conversely, those who believe natural disasters are part of natural cycles argue that earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes have always occurred. These events are not directly caused by human activities but are part of the Earth's geological and atmospheric processes. While human actions may influence the frequency and intensity of some disasters, they are not the primary cause.

In my view, while natural disasters are part of the Earth's natural cycles, human activities significantly exacerbate them. We must take responsibility for our actions and implement measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. This includes reducing deforestation, limiting industrial emissions, and adopting sustainable practices.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 – Presents a clear and fully developed position with relevant supporting ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 – Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 – Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with some errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors.

Band 9.0

The escalating frequency and intensity of natural disasters have ignited a contentious debate regarding their underlying causes. While some contend that anthropogenic activities are the primary culprits, others posit that these events are intrinsic to the Earth's natural cycles.

Advocates of the anthropogenic perspective assert that deforestation, industrialization, and urbanization are significant contributors to the exacerbation of natural disasters. Deforestation, for instance, leads to soil degradation and increased susceptibility to floods. Industrialization, on the other hand, releases copious amounts of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change and more extreme weather patterns. These activities not only increase the frequency of natural disasters but also amplify their severity.

Conversely, proponents of the natural cycles argument maintain that earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes have been occurring for millennia. These events are not directly attributable to human activities but are instead part of the Earth's dynamic geological and atmospheric processes. While human actions may influence the frequency and intensity of some disasters, they are not the primary drivers.

In my opinion, while natural disasters are an inherent part of the Earth's natural cycles, human activities have undeniably exacerbated their frequency and intensity. It is imperative that we take responsibility for our actions and implement comprehensive measures to mitigate the impact of these disasters. This includes but is not limited to reforestation efforts, stringent regulations on industrial emissions, and the adoption of sustainable practices.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 – Presents a clear, fully developed position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 – Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 – Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with rare errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with rare errors.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Anthropogenic: caused or influenced by humans (e.g., anthropogenic activities).
2. Deforestation: the action of clearing a large area of trees (e.g., deforestation leads to soil degradation).
3. Industrialization: the development of industries in a country or region (e.g., industrialization releases greenhouse gases).
4. Greenhouse gases: gases that trap heat in the atmosphere (e.g., greenhouse gases contribute to climate change).
5. Climate change: long-term alterations in statistical distribution of weather patterns (e.g., climate change and more extreme weather patterns).
6. Soil degradation: the decline in soil quality (e.g., soil degradation and increased susceptibility to floods).
7. Geological processes: natural processes that shape the Earth's surface (e.g., geological and atmospheric processes).
8. Atmospheric processes: natural processes that occur in the Earth's atmosphere (e.g., geological and atmospheric processes).
9. Reforestation: the process of planting trees in an area that has been deforested (e.g., reforestation efforts).
10. Stringent regulations: strict rules or laws (e.g., stringent regulations on industrial emissions).
11. Sustainable practices: methods that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (e.g., adoption of sustainable practices).
12. Copious amounts: large quantities (e.g., releases copious amounts of greenhouse gases).
13. Dynamic: characterized by constant change, activity, or progress (e.g., dynamic geological and atmospheric processes).
14. Exacerbate: make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse (e.g., exacerbate their frequency and intensity).
15. Imperative: of vital importance (e.g., it is imperative that we take responsibility).

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Failing to present a clear stance on the issue.
2. Insufficient Supporting Ideas: Not providing enough evidence or examples to support arguments.
3. Poor Organization: Lack of logical progression and clear structure in the essay.
4. Limited Vocabulary: Using repetitive or basic vocabulary without attempting to use more advanced terms.
5. Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical mistakes that hinder understanding.

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