Here is my newest IELTS essay on the topic of animals! Specifically, if humans should protect all wild animals or just some specific ones.

Be sure to check out my Ebooks here.

Check out a related video here too: https://youtube.com/shorts/R-7vLPqjfis?si=li058QWVhLHUJEfG

Dave

IELTS Essay: Animals

Many believe that it is important to protect all wild animals, while others think that it is important to protect some, not all of them.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some have suggested that protection of wild animals should be selective. In my opinion, humanity has responsibility for all wild animals, though it is occasionally justified to divert resources towards more valuable species.

Those in favor of safeguarding certain wild animals argue the circumstantial factors. These factors can range from the threat the specific animals face to the value of the animal itself. For instance, tigers are an endangered wild animal and require intensive conservation efforts compared with animals such as rats and pigeons, which have adapted skillfully to urban environments. Most would admit that there is little logic in providing equal support to species in different circumstances. A more extreme critic could add that some animals are more deserving of preservation. The tiger, to continue the previous example, is greatly valued for its elegance. Other animals, such as bees, are valuable not for their beauty but their usefulness to humanity.

However, all animals should be protected as humanity has been the catalyst for their endangerment. Before the rapid industrialization and surging populations of the last several hundred years, humans and animals lived on relatively equal terms and shared the Earth. Since human development has outpaced nature and now threatens the habitats of countless species, it is a duty for mankind to enact safeguards for all animals. Without such forward-looking protections, there is likely to be a “domino effect” as species die out and impair fragile ecosystems globally. Therefore even if an animal is not on the verge of extinction, it might be important to maintain their population levels so as to not start a cycle of irreversible harms.

In conclusion, humans should endeavor to protect as many animals as possible although there are exceptional cases where some species may be prioritized. Governments and individuals should collaborate to ensure wild animals are not unduly threatened by human progress.

Analysis

1. Some have suggested that protection of wild animals should be selective. 2. In my opinion, humanity has responsibility for all wild animals, though it is occasionally justified to divert resources towards more valuable species.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Those in favor of safeguarding certain wild animals argue the circumstantial factors. 2. These factors can range from the threat the specific animals face to the value of the animal itself. 3. For instance, tigers are an endangered wild animal and require intensive conservation efforts compared with animals such as rats and pigeons, which have adapted skillfully to urban environments. 4. Most would admit that there is little logic in providing equal support to species in different circumstances. 5. A more extreme critic could add that some animals are more deserving of preservation. 6. The tiger, to continue the previous example, is greatly valued for its elegance. 7. Other animals, such as bees, are valuable not for their beauty but their usefulness to humanity.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Add more deatil.
6. Include some long and complex sentences.
7. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. However, all animals should be protected as humanity has been the catalyst for their endangerment. 2. Before the rapid industrialization and surging populations of the last several hundred years, humans and animals lived on relatively equal terms and shared the Earth. 3. Since human development has outpaced nature and now threatens the habitats of countless species, it is a duty for mankind to enact safeguards for all animals. 4. Without such forward-looking protections, there is likely to be a “domino effect” as species die out and impair fragile ecosystems globally. 5. Therefore even if an animal is not on the verge of extinction, it might be important to maintain their population levels so as to not start a cycle of irreversible harms.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Develop the example fully.

1. In conclusion, humans should endeavor to protect as many animals as possible although there are exceptional cases where some species may be prioritized. 2. Governments and individuals should collaborate to ensure wild animals are not unduly threatened by human progress.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Some have suggested that protection of wild animals should be selective. In my opinion, humanity has responsibility for all wild animals, though it is occasionally justified to divert resources towards more valuable species.

Those in favor of safeguarding certain wild animals argue the circumstantial factors. These factors can range from the threat the specific animals face to the value of the animal itself. For instance, tigers are an endangered wild animal and require intensive conservation efforts compared with animals such as rats and pigeons, which have adapted skillfully to urban environments. Most would admit that there is little logic in providing equal support to species in different circumstances. A more extreme critic could add that some animals are more deserving of preservation. The tiger, to continue the previous example, is greatly valued for its elegance. Other animals, such as bees, are valuable not for their beauty but their usefulness to humanity.

However, all animals should be protected as humanity has been the catalyst for their endangerment. Before the rapid industrialization and surging populations of the last several hundred years, humans and animals lived on relatively equal terms and shared the Earth. Since human development has outpaced nature and now threatens the habitats of countless species, it is a duty for mankind to enact safeguards for all animals. Without such forward-looking protections, there is likely to be a “domino effect” as species die out and impair fragile ecosystems globally. Therefore even if an animal is not on the verge of extinction, it might be important to maintain their population levels so as to not start a cycle of irreversible harms.

In conclusion, humans should endeavor to protect as many animals as possible although there are exceptional cases where some species may be prioritized. Governments and individuals should collaborate to ensure wild animals are not unduly threatened by human progress.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

suggested advised

protection keeping safe

selective chosen

humanity mankind

responsibility duty

occasionally justified sometimes supported

divert resources towards sent in another direction at

valuable species important kind of animal

those in favor of people who support

safeguarding keeping safe

certain definite

argue point out

circumstantial factors contextual elements

range from include

threat risk

For instance for example

endangered near extinction

require intensive conservation efforts need lots of help

compared with relative to

adapted skillfully changed masterfully

urban environments cities

Most would admit that many would concede

little logic not much reason

providing equal support giving the same amount of help

different circumstances changing situations

extreme critic people strongly against

deserving should get

preservation staying alive and protected

previous example instance mentioned before

greatly valued considered important

usefulness utility

catalyst spark, cause

endangerment putting in danger

rapid industrialization becoming more and more developed

surging populations more and more people

last several hundred years since the 1800s or so

lived on continue to be alive

relatively equal terms almost living like equals

shared both using it

outpaced got a lot faster than

habitats places where animals live

countless limitless

duty responsibility

enact safeguards create protection

forward-looking protections progressive safeguards

“domino effect” will cause ramifications

die out go extinct

impair fragile ecosystems hurt a chain of animals

globally all around the world

not on the verge of extinction not about to die out completely

maintain keep the same

population levels how many are alive

cycle chain

irreversible harms can’t be fixed

endeavor try hard

exceptional cases extreme examples

prioritized considered most important

collaborate work together

ensure make sure

unduly unjustifiably

human progress mankind advancing

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

səˈʤɛstɪd 
prəˈtɛkʃən 
sɪˈlɛktɪv
hju(ː)ˈmænɪti 
rɪsˌpɒnsəˈbɪlɪti 
əˈkeɪʒnəli ˈʤʌstɪfaɪd 
daɪˈvɜːt rɪˈsɔːsɪz təˈwɔːdz 
ˈvæljʊəbl ˈspiːʃiːz
ðəʊz ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv 
ˈseɪfgɑːdɪŋ 
ˈsɜːtn 
ˈɑːgjuː 
ˌsɜːkəmˈstænʃəl ˈfæktəz
reɪnʤ frɒm 
θrɛt 
fɔːr ˈɪnstəns
ɪnˈdeɪnʤəd 
rɪˈkwaɪər ɪnˈtɛnsɪv ˌkɒnsə(ː)ˈveɪʃən ˈɛfəts 
kəmˈpeəd wɪð 
əˈdæptɪd ˈskɪlf(ə)li 
ˈɜːbən ɪnˈvaɪərənmənts
məʊst wʊd ədˈmɪt ðæt 
ˈlɪtl ˈlɒʤɪk 
prəˈvaɪdɪŋ ˈiːkwəl səˈpɔːt 
ˈdɪfrənt ˈsɜːkəmstənsɪz
ɪksˈtriːm ˈkrɪtɪk 
dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ 
ˌprɛzə(ː)ˈveɪʃən
ˈpriːviəs ɪgˈzɑːmpl,
ˈgreɪtli ˈvæljuːd 
ˈjuːsfʊlnəs 
ˈkætəlɪst 
ɪnˈdeɪnʤəmənt
ˈræpɪd ɪnˌdʌstrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən 
ˈsɜːʤɪŋ ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃənz 
lɑːst ˈsɛvrəl ˈhʌndrəd jɪəz
lɪvd ɒn 
ˈrɛlətɪvli ˈiːkwəl tɜːmz 
ʃeəd 
aʊtˈpeɪst 
ˈhæbɪtæts 
ˈkaʊntlɪs 
ˈdjuːti 
ɪˈnækt ˈseɪfgɑːdz 
ˈfɔːwədˈlʊkɪŋ prəˈtɛkʃənz
“ˈdɒmɪnəʊ ɪˈfɛkt“
daɪ aʊt 
ɪmˈpeə ˈfræʤaɪl ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəmz 
ˈgləʊbəli 
nɒt ɒn ðə vɜːʤ ɒv ɪksˈtɪŋkʃən
meɪnˈteɪn 
ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən ˈlɛvlz 
ˈsaɪkl 
ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl hɑːmz
ɪnˈdɛvə 
ɪkˈsɛpʃənl ˈkeɪsɪz 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzd
kəˈlæbəreɪt 
ɪnˈʃʊə 
ʌnˈdjuːli 
ˈhjuːmən ˈprəʊgrəs

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Some have s____________d that p______________n of wild animals should be s_______________e. In my opinion, h_______________y has r__________________y for all wild animals, though it is o______________________d to d______________________s more v___________________s.

T________________________________________________n wild animals a_______e the c___________________________s. These factors can r_____________m the t_________t the specific animals face to the value of the animal itself. F______________e, tigers are an e______________d wild animal and r_________________________________s c_____________________h animals such as rats and pigeons, which have a_____________________y to u____________________s. M_____________________t there is l_________________c in p_______________________t to species in d___________________________s. A more e__________________c could add that some animals are more d______________g of p_______________n. The tiger, to continue the p___________________e, is g__________________d for its elegance. Other animals, such as bees, are valuable not for their beauty but their u______________s to humanity.

However, all animals should be protected as humanity has been the c_________t for their e________________t. Before the r_______________________________n and s______________________s of the l________________________________s, humans and animals l______________________________s and s_______d the Earth. Since human development has o___________d nature and now threatens the h_________s of c__________s species, it is a d____y for mankind to e______________s for all animals. Without such f_______________________s, there is likely to be a “d_______________t” as species die out and i___________________________y. Therefore even if an animal is n____________________________n, it might be important to m__________n their p___________________s so as to not start a c________e of i__________________s.

In conclusion, humans should e______________r to protect as many animals as possible although there are e_______________s where some species may be p________________d. Governments and individuals should c________________e to e________e wild animals are not u__________y threatened by h________________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Animals

1. What was your favorite animal as a child?
2. Do people in your country keep pets?
3. What kind of pet would you not like to have?
4. Is environmental protection important?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:

It is a natural process for animal species to become extinct (e.g. dinosaurs, dodos, etc.). There is no reason why people should try to prevent this from happening.

Do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Extinction