This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of wild animals in urban areas, towns, and cities from the real IELTS general training exam.

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IELTS Essay: Wild Animals in Urban Areas

Many wild birds and animals live in towns and cities. Some people think that the wildlife should be protected. Some think that they should be removed.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some believe that wild animals should not be allowed to live in urban areas. In my opinion, although these animals pose a threat to health and safety, they should remain as they contribute to the character of a city.

Those in favor of eliminating certain animal species argue they can be dangerous. It is common, for instance in various locales in New England, for deer to cause traffic accidents. However, the chances that a motorist is actually injured are extremely low. The more pressing threat relates to the species that often serve as carriers for infectious diseases. Rats are the best examples as they are prevalent in most cities and often transmit diseases. The most infamous instance being an outbreak of bubonic plague caused by rodents termed the Black Death that ravaged Europe in the 1300s.

Nonetheless, the examples above are exceptions and wild animals generally add to the identity of a city or town. There are cities in Asia where locals live in relative harmony with species of monkeys and wild birds. One of the more noteworthy examples of this would be Singapore. In Singapore, it is not uncommon to see rare species of monkeys, tropical birds and wild pigs. These animals are not only cherished by local residents but also serve as an attraction for tourists. The city has managed to control population numbers so that they do not become a nuisance while also allowing them to constitute a key element of the city’s unique charm.

In conclusion, despite potential for the spread of disease and a lack of general safety, the contributions of wild animals to the personality of a city justify their continued existence. Individuals will always have the option to move to areas where there is less wildlife if they are concerned.

Analysis

1. Some believe that wild animals should not be allowed to live in urban areas. 2. In my opinion, although these animals pose a threat to health and safety, they should remain as they contribute to the character of a city.

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

1. Those in favor of eliminating certain animal species argue they can be dangerous. 2. It is common, for instance in various locales in New England, for deer to cause traffic accidents. 3. However, the chances that a motorist is actually injured are extremely low. 4. The more pressing threat relates to the species that often serve as carriers for infectious diseases. 5. Rats are the best examples as they are prevalent in most cities and often transmit diseases. 6. The most infamous instance being an outbreak of bubonic plague caused by rodents termed the Black Death that ravaged Europe in the 1300s.

  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. Very long and short sentences.
  6. Make it as specific as possible.

1. Nonetheless, the examples above are exceptions and wild animals generally add to the identity of a city or town. 2. There are cities in Asia where locals live in relative harmony with species of monkeys and wild birds. 3. One of the more noteworthy examples of this would be Singapore. 4. In Singapore, it is not uncommon to see rare species of monkeys, tropical birds and wild pigs. 5. These animals are not only cherished by local residents but also serve as an attraction for tourists. 6. The city has managed to control population numbers so that they do not become a nuisance while also allowing them to constitute a key element of the city’s unique charm.

  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.
  6. Finish strong.

1. In conclusion, despite potential for the spread of disease and a lack of general safety, the contributions of wild animals to the personality of a city justify their continued existence. 2. Individuals will always have the option to move to areas where there is less wildlife if they are concerned.

  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 believe that wild animals should not be allowed to live in urban areas. In my opinion, although these animals pose a threat to health and safety, they should remain as they contribute to the character of a city.

Those in favor of eliminating certain animal species argue they can be dangerous. It is common, for instance in various locales in New England, for deer to cause traffic accidents. However, the chances that a motorist is actually injured are extremely low. The more pressing threat relates to the species that often serve as carriers for infectious diseases. Rats are the best examples as they are prevalent in most cities and often transmit diseases. The most infamous instance being an outbreak of bubonic plague caused by rodents termed the Black Death that ravaged Europe in the 1300s.

Nonetheless, the examples above are exceptions and wild animals generally add to the identity of a city or town. There are cities in Asia where locals live in relative harmony with species of monkeys and wild birds. One of the more noteworthy examples of this would be Singapore. In Singapore, it is not uncommon to see rare species of monkeys, tropical birds and wild pigs. These animals are not only cherished by local residents but also serve as an attraction for tourists. The city has managed to control population numbers so that they do not become a nuisance while also allowing them to constitute a key element of the city’s unique charm.

In conclusion, despite potential for the spread of disease and a lack of general safety, the contributions of wild animals to the personality of a city justify their continued existence. Individuals will always have the option to move to areas where there is less wildlife if they are concerned.

Answers

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

allowed permitted

urban areas cities

pose a threat create problems

health and safety people feeling safe and not in danger

remain stay

contribute add to

character personality

those in favor of supporters of

eliminating destroying

species argue different types of animals claim

dangerous threatening

common happens a lot

various locales different places

cause traffic accidents cars hitting things

however but

motorist person driving

injured hurt

extremely low not much chance

pressing threat urgent problem

relates to concerning

serve as carriers for transport the disease

infectious diseases easily spread conditions

prevalent common

transmit diseases spread illness

infamous instance being notorious example was

outbreak occurrence of

bubonic plague a really infectious disease

caused by a result of

rodents rats and similar animals

termed the Black Death this was the name of the illness

ravaged destroyed by

1300s 1300 – 1400

nonetheless regardless

exceptions outliers

generally overall

identity personality

locals people living there

relative harmony comparable balance

One of the more noteworthy examples of this would be a good instance of this is

not uncommon common

rare species not common types of animals

tropical birds rare birds from hot climates

cherished by cared a lot by

serve as an attraction be an important sight

tourists visitors

managed were able to

control population numbers keep the number of animals low

nuisance annoyance

constitute make up

key element crucial part

unique charm individual appeal

despite potential regardless of the possible

spread send out

lack don’t have

continued existence stay alive

concerned had to do with

Pronunciation

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

əˈlaʊd 
ˈɜːbən ˈeərɪəz
pəʊz ə θrɛt 
hɛlθ ænd ˈseɪfti
rɪˈmeɪn 
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t 
ˈkærɪktə 
ðəʊz ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv 
ɪˈlɪmɪneɪtɪŋ 
ˈspiːʃiːz ˈɑːgjuː 
ˈdeɪnʤrəs
ˈkɒmən
ˈveərɪəs ləʊˈkɑːlz 
kɔːz ˈtræfɪk ˈæksɪdənts
haʊˈɛvə
ˈməʊtərɪst 
ˈɪnʤəd 
ɪksˈtriːmli ləʊ
ˈprɛsɪŋ θrɛt 
rɪˈleɪts tuː 
sɜːv æz ˈkærɪəz fɔː 
ɪnˈfɛkʃəs dɪˈziːzɪz
ˈprɛvələnt 
trænzˈmɪt dɪˈziːzɪz
ˈɪnfəməs ˈɪnstəns ˈbiːɪŋ 
ˈaʊtbreɪk 
bju(ː)ˈbɒnɪk pleɪg 
kɔːzd baɪ 
ˈrəʊdənts 
tɜːmd ðə blæk dɛθ 
ˈrævɪʤd 
ˈθɜːˈtiːn ˈhʌndrədɛs
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
ɪkˈsɛpʃənz 
ˈʤɛnərəli 
aɪˈdɛntɪti 
ˈləʊkəlz 
ˈrɛlətɪv ˈhɑːməni 
wʌn ɒv ðə mɔː ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði ɪgˈzɑːmplz ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː 
nɒt ʌnˈkɒmən 
reə ˈspiːʃiːz 
ˈtrɒpɪkəl bɜːdz 
ˈʧɛrɪʃt baɪ 
sɜːv æz ən əˈtrækʃ(ə)n 
ˈtʊərɪsts
ˈmænɪʤd 
kənˈtrəʊl ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən ˈnʌmbəz 
ˈnjuːsns 
ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt 
kiː ˈɛlɪmənt 
juːˈniːk ʧɑːm
dɪsˈpaɪt pəʊˈtɛnʃəl 
sprɛd 
læk 
kənˈtɪnju(ː)d ɪgˈzɪstəns
kənˈsɜːnd

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 believe that wild animals should not be a__________d to live in u______________s. In my opinion, although these animals p_________________t to h____________________y, they should r__________n as they c_____________e to the c__________r of a city.

T___________________f e______________g certain animal s______________e they can be d_____________s. It is c__________n, for instance in v__________________s in New England, for deer to c__________________________s. H___________r, the chances that a m____________t is actually i_________d are e________________w. The more p___________________t r______________o the species that often s____________s c_____________r i____________________s. Rats are the best examples as they are p____________t in most cities and often t__________________s. The most i__________________________g an o__________k of b________________e c_____________y r________s t__________d t_________________h that r____________d Europe in the 1_________s.

N_______________s, the examples above are e_____________s and wild animals g____________y add to the i___________y of a city or town. There are cities in Asia where l_______s live in r________________y with species of monkeys and wild birds. O___________________________________e Singapore. In Singapore, it is n________________n to see r________________s of monkeys, t___________________s and wild pigs. These animals are not only c_______________y local residents but also s__________________________________n for t________________s. The city has m___________d to c________________________________s so that they do not become a n_____________e while also allowing them to c______________e a k___________________t of the city’s u_________________m.

In conclusion, d___________________l for the s_______d of disease and a l____k of general safety, the contributions of wild animals to the personality of a city justify their c_____________________e. Individuals will always have the option to move to areas where there is less wildlife if they are c_____________d.

Listening Practice

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

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.ranker.com/list/animals-that-live-in-cities/jonathan-sherman

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:

Some people believe that wild animals should not be kept in zoos or other man-made environments as there is no longer a need for them in the 21st century.

Do you agree or disagree?

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