IELTS Writing Task 2: Ocean Pollution - Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown

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Prompt

Some people believe that the government should take action to address ocean pollution, while others think that individuals should be responsible for this issue. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but lacks development and supporting ideas. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but lack clear progression. Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate and inaccurate vocabulary. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent grammatical errors that impede communication.

The government should take action to address ocean pollution because they have more resources and power to implement effective solutions. Individuals can also help by reducing their use of plastic and properly disposing of waste. However, the government should take the lead in this issue. For example, they can enforce stricter regulations on industries that pollute the ocean. Additionally, they can invest in research to develop new technologies that can clean up the ocean. Individuals can also help by participating in beach cleanups and supporting organizations that work to protect the ocean. In conclusion, both the government and individuals have a role to play in addressing ocean pollution, but the government should take the lead.

Band 7.5 Answer

Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with logical development and supports points with relevant examples. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.5 - Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively, with clear progression throughout. Lexical Resource (LR): 7.5 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey precise meanings, with occasional errors. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.5 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with occasional errors that do not impede communication.

The issue of ocean pollution is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. While some argue that individuals should be held responsible for this problem, I firmly believe that the government should take the lead in addressing it. Firstly, governments have the power to implement and enforce regulations that can significantly reduce ocean pollution. For instance, they can impose stricter penalties on industries that dump waste into the ocean. Moreover, governments can invest in research and development to find innovative solutions to this problem. On the other hand, individuals can contribute to the solution by adopting more sustainable lifestyles. For example, they can reduce their use of single-use plastics and participate in community clean-up initiatives. However, these individual efforts are not enough to tackle the scale of the problem. In conclusion, while individuals have a role to play, the government should take the lead in addressing ocean pollution due to their resources and power to implement effective solutions.

Band 8.0 Answer

Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear and supported position with logical development and relevant examples. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of cohesive devices effectively, with clear progression and logical sequencing. Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary flexibly and precisely, with rare errors. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.

Ocean pollution has become a critical global issue that demands urgent action. While some advocate for individual responsibility in addressing this problem, I strongly believe that the government should take the lead. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, governments have the authority to enact and enforce laws that can significantly mitigate ocean pollution. For example, they can impose heavy fines on companies that dump waste into the ocean. Additionally, governments can allocate funds for research and development of technologies that can help clean up the ocean. Furthermore, they can launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of protecting the ocean. On the other hand, individuals can contribute to the solution by making conscious choices in their daily lives. For instance, they can reduce their consumption of single-use plastics and participate in local clean-up initiatives. However, these individual efforts are not sufficient to tackle the scale of the problem. In conclusion, while individual actions are important, the government should take the lead in addressing ocean pollution due to their resources and power to implement effective solutions.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Pressing concern (noun phrase) - an urgent or important problem that needs immediate attention. Example: The issue of ocean pollution is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.
2. Implement (verb) - to put a plan, idea, or system into effect. Example: Governments can implement regulations to reduce ocean pollution.
3. Enforce (verb) - to make sure that a law or rule is obeyed. Example: The government can enforce stricter penalties on industries that pollute the ocean.
4. Innovative (adjective) - introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking. Example: Governments can invest in innovative solutions to ocean pollution.
5. Sustainable (adjective) - able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources. Example: Individuals can adopt more sustainable lifestyles to reduce ocean pollution.
6. Single-use (adjective) - designed to be used once and then thrown away. Example: Reducing the use of single-use plastics can help address ocean pollution.
7. Mitigate (verb) - to make something less severe, serious, or painful. Example: Governments can mitigate ocean pollution through stricter regulations.
8. Allocate (verb) - to distribute something as it is needed or desired. Example: Governments can allocate funds for research and development of technologies that can help clean up the ocean.
9. Launch (verb) - to start a new project, plan, or campaign. Example: Governments can launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of protecting the ocean.
10. Conscious (adjective) - aware of and responding to one's surroundings. Example: Individuals can make conscious choices in their daily lives to reduce ocean pollution.
11. Allocate (verb) - to distribute something as it is needed or desired. Example: Governments can allocate funds for research and development of technologies that can help clean up the ocean.
12. Launch (verb) - to start a new project, plan, or campaign. Example: Governments can launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of protecting the ocean.
13. Conscious (adjective) - aware of and responding to one's surroundings. Example: Individuals can make conscious choices in their daily lives to reduce ocean pollution.
14. Scale (noun) - the size, extent, or importance of something. Example: Individual efforts are not enough to tackle the scale of the problem.
15. Mitigate (verb) - to make something less severe, serious, or painful. Example: Governments can mitigate ocean pollution through stricter regulations.
16. Allocate (verb) - to distribute something as it is needed or desired. Example: Governments can allocate funds for research and development of technologies that can help clean up the ocean.
17. Launch (verb) - to start a new project, plan, or campaign. Example: Governments can launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of protecting the ocean.
18. Conscious (adjective) - aware of and responding to one's surroundings. Example: Individuals can make conscious choices in their daily lives to reduce ocean pollution.
19. Scale (noun) - the size, extent, or importance of something. Example: Individual efforts are not enough to tackle the scale of the problem.
20. Mitigate (verb) - to make something less severe, serious, or painful. Example: Governments can mitigate ocean pollution through stricter regulations.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position on the issue, making their response unclear and difficult to follow.
2. Insufficient Development: Students often present their ideas without developing them properly, leading to a shallow response.
3. Poor Organization: Some responses lack clear organization, making it difficult for the examiner to follow the student's line of thought.
4. Vocabulary Errors: Students often make vocabulary errors, such as using words incorrectly or using inappropriate words.
5. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can make a response difficult to understand and can lower the score.

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