IELTS Writing Task 2: Renewable Technology - Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
Related guides:
Prompt
> Some people believe that governments should invest in renewable technology to reduce environmental damage, while others argue that this investment will not be effective. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
Score Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with some irrelevant points.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but with some unclear referencing.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors.
Answer
The use of renewable energy is a hot topic today. Some people think that governments should invest in this technology to reduce environmental damage. Others believe that this investment will not be effective. I agree with the first view.
On the one hand, renewable energy can reduce pollution. For example, solar and wind energy do not produce greenhouse gases. This can help to slow down climate change. Additionally, renewable energy can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which are finite resources. This can lead to energy security.
On the other hand, some people argue that investing in renewable technology is not effective. They say that renewable energy is expensive and unreliable. For instance, solar energy only works when the sun is shining, and wind energy only works when the wind is blowing. Therefore, they believe that governments should focus on other solutions, such as nuclear energy or carbon capture and storage.
In my opinion, the benefits of renewable energy outweigh the drawbacks. Governments should invest in this technology to reduce environmental damage and ensure energy security. However, they should also invest in research to improve the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy.
Band 7.0 Answer
Score Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended arguments.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary with some errors.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.
Answer
The debate surrounding government investment in renewable technology is a contentious one. While some advocate for such investments to mitigate environmental damage, others contend that these efforts may be futile. I firmly believe that governments should prioritize renewable technology.
Proponents of renewable energy argue that it can significantly reduce environmental degradation. For instance, solar and wind energy produce minimal pollution compared to fossil fuels. This can help to mitigate climate change and improve public health. Moreover, renewable energy can reduce dependence on finite resources, enhancing energy security. For example, countries with abundant sunlight or wind can generate their own energy, reducing reliance on imports.
However, critics argue that renewable energy is not a viable solution. They point out that renewable energy is often intermittent and unreliable. For example, solar energy is not available at night, and wind energy is not available during calm weather. Additionally, the initial investment in renewable technology can be high, making it less attractive to governments with limited budgets.
In my view, the benefits of renewable energy outweigh the drawbacks. Governments should invest in this technology to reduce environmental damage and enhance energy security. However, they should also invest in research to improve the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy. This can make renewable energy a more viable solution in the long run.
Band 8.0 Answer
Score Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with fully developed arguments and relevant support.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precise and sophisticated usage.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.
Answer
The imperative for governments to invest in renewable technology to mitigate environmental damage is a topic of intense debate. While some advocate for such investments, others contend that these efforts may be ineffective. I firmly believe that governments should prioritize renewable technology.
Advocates of renewable energy posit that it can significantly reduce environmental degradation. For instance, solar and wind energy produce minimal pollution compared to fossil fuels. This can help to mitigate climate change and improve public health. Moreover, renewable energy can reduce dependence on finite resources, enhancing energy security. For example, countries with abundant sunlight or wind can generate their own energy, reducing reliance on imports. Additionally, the long-term benefits of renewable energy, such as job creation and economic growth, cannot be overlooked.
However, critics argue that renewable energy is not a viable solution. They point out that renewable energy is often intermittent and unreliable. For example, solar energy is not available at night, and wind energy is not available during calm weather. Additionally, the initial investment in renewable technology can be high, making it less attractive to governments with limited budgets. Furthermore, the infrastructure required for renewable energy can be extensive, requiring significant land and resources.
In my view, the benefits of renewable energy outweigh the drawbacks. Governments should invest in this technology to reduce environmental damage and enhance energy security. However, they should also invest in research to improve the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy. This can make renewable energy a more viable solution in the long run. Additionally, governments should consider a mix of energy sources, including renewable and non-renewable, to ensure a stable and secure energy supply.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Mitigate (verb): to make less severe, serious, or painful. Example: Governments should mitigate environmental damage by investing in renewable technology.
- Intermittent (adjective): occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous. Example: Solar energy is intermittent and unreliable.
- Viable (adjective): capable of working successfully; feasible. Example: Renewable energy is a viable solution in the long run.
- Abundant (adjective): existing or available in large quantities; plentiful. Example: Countries with abundant sunlight can generate their own energy.
- Enhance (verb): to increase or improve in value, quality, or extent. Example: Renewable energy can enhance energy security.
- Finite (adjective): having limits; not infinite. Example: Fossil fuels are finite resources.
- Infrastructure (noun): the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. Example: The infrastructure required for renewable energy can be extensive.
- Imperative (noun): of vital importance; crucial. Example: The imperative for governments to invest in renewable technology is a topic of intense debate.
- Posit (verb): to put forward as an explanation or hypothesis. Example: Advocates of renewable energy posit that it can significantly reduce environmental degradation.
- Contend (verb): to maintain or assert in a debate or argument; assert or maintain. Example: Critics contend that renewable energy is not a viable solution.
- Contentious (adjective): causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial. Example: The debate surrounding government investment in renewable technology is a contentious one.
- Proponent (noun): a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of action. Example: Advocates of renewable energy are proponents of this technology.
- Critic (noun): a person who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter, especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique; a reviewer. Example: Critics argue that renewable energy is not a viable solution.
- Long-term (adjective): continuing or existing for a relatively long period of time. Example: The long-term benefits of renewable energy cannot be overlooked.
- Stable (adjective): not likely to change or move in position. Example: Governments should ensure a stable and secure energy supply.
- Secure (adjective): not likely to be threatened or troubled; safe. Example: Renewable energy can enhance energy security.
- Efficiency (noun): the state of being efficient, or able to perform without waste. Example: Governments should invest in research to improve the efficiency of renewable energy.
- Reliability (noun): the quality of being reliable; dependability. Example: Governments should invest in research to improve the reliability of renewable energy.
- Feasible (adjective): possible to do easily or conveniently. Example: Renewable energy is a feasible solution in the long run.
- Extensive (adjective): covering a large area; having a great extent. Example: The infrastructure required for renewable energy can be extensive.
Common Mistakes
- Irrelevant Points: Some students include points that are not relevant to the prompt. For example, discussing the cost of renewable energy without relating it to the prompt's focus on environmental damage.
- Lack of Balance: Some students fail to present a balanced argument, focusing only on one side of the debate. For example, discussing only the benefits of renewable energy without addressing the criticisms.
- Vague Language: Some students use vague language, such as 'some people think' or 'it is believed,' without providing specific examples or evidence. For example, stating that renewable energy is beneficial without explaining how.
- Grammatical Errors: Some students make frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement errors or incorrect tense usage. For example, using the present tense to discuss past events.
- Poor Cohesion: Some students fail to use cohesive devices effectively, making their arguments difficult to follow. For example, using 'and' repeatedly to connect ideas instead of using a variety of linking words.
Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol
Practice makes perfect. Get your own IELTS Writing Task 2 response scored by AI on English AIdol and receive detailed feedback to help you improve.