This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of declining plants and animals from the real exam.

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IELTS Essay: Declining Plants and Animals

In many countries, the number of animals and plants is declining.

Why do you think this is happening?

How can this issue be solved?

The decline in the number of animal and plant species is a pressing issue facing many countries worldwide. In my opinion, this is a result of human activity and can be countered by adopting sustainable policy initiatives.

Fewer animal and plant species is mainly a human problem. Firstly, there is now rampant deforestation for agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development. In the Amazon rainforest, pristine habitats are being cleared for cattle ranching, depriving countless species of their natural homes. Relatedly, pollution, including industrial discharge and agricultural runoff, poses a significant threat. The global release of toxic chemicals into rivers and oceans leads to the death of marine life and disrupts delicate aquatic ecosystems. An additional human activity that deserves attention is illegal wildlife trade. This practice is driven by high demand for exotic pets, traditional medicine, and animal parts, pushing many species towards endangerment and potential extinction.

The keys to reversing natural degradation are conservation and restoration efforts. Biodiversity conservation programs should focus on preserving and restoring specific habitats. For instance, reforestation initiatives can aim to replant native tree species in deforested areas, providing crucial habitats for various wildlife species. Marine protected areas can be established to safeguard vulnerable marine ecosystems and promote sustainable fishing practices. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs can help revive endangered species. Evidence for this approach comes from initiatives to breed and release critically endangered species like the black rhinoceros. Complementary sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fishing can also be promoted to minimize human impact on ecosystems.

Decreasing population figures for animal and plant species is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and action. It is humanity’s collective responsibility to protect and restore the natural world given the origin of these issues.

Analysis

1. The decline in the number of animal and plant species is a pressing issue facing many countries worldwide. 2. In my opinion, this is a result of human activity and can be countered by adopting sustainable policy initiatives.

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

1. Fewer animal and plant species is mainly a human problem. 2. Firstly, there is now rampant deforestation for agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development. 3. In the Amazon rainforest, pristine habitats are being cleared for cattle ranching, depriving countless species of their natural homes. 4. Relatedly, pollution, including industrial discharge and agricultural runoff, poses a significant threat. 5. The global release of toxic chemicals into rivers and oceans leads to the death of marine life and disrupts delicate aquatic ecosystems. 6. An additional human activity that deserves attention is illegal wildlife trade. 7. This practice is driven by high demand for exotic pets, traditional medicine, and animal parts, pushing many species towards endangerment and potential extinction.

  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 in as much detail as possible.
  6. Vary long and short sentences.
  7. Finish strong.

1. The keys to reversing natural degradation are conservation and restoration efforts. 2. Biodiversity conservation programs should focus on preserving and restoring specific habitats. 3. For instance, reforestation initiatives can aim to replant native tree species in deforested areas, providing crucial habitats for various wildlife species. 4. Marine protected areas can be established to safeguard vulnerable marine ecosystems and promote sustainable fishing practices. 5. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs can help revive endangered species. 6. Evidence for this approach comes from initiatives to breed and release critically endangered species like the black rhinoceros. 7. Complementary sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fishing can also be promoted to minimize human impact on ecosystems.

  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. Use really concrete examples.
  6. Keep adding detail.
  7. Better a little too long instead of a little too short.

1. Decreasing population figures for animal and plant species is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and action. 2. It is humanity’s collective responsibility to protect and restore the natural world given the origin of these issues.

  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.

The decline in the number of animal and plant species is a pressing issue facing many countries worldwide. In my opinion, this is a result of human activity and can be countered by adopting sustainable policy initiatives.

Fewer animal and plant species is mainly a human problem. Firstly, there is now rampant deforestation for agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development. In the Amazon rainforest, pristine habitats are being cleared for cattle ranching, depriving countless species of their natural homes. Relatedly, pollution, including industrial discharge and agricultural runoff, poses a significant threat. The global release of toxic chemicals into rivers and oceans leads to the death of marine life and disrupts delicate aquatic ecosystems. An additional human activity that deserves attention is illegal wildlife trade. This practice is driven by high demand for exotic pets, traditional medicine, and animal parts, pushing many species towards endangerment and potential extinction.

The keys to reversing natural degradation are conservation and restoration efforts. Biodiversity conservation programs should focus on preserving and restoring specific habitats. For instance, reforestation initiatives can aim to replant native tree species in deforested areas, providing crucial habitats for various wildlife species. Marine protected areas can be established to safeguard vulnerable marine ecosystems and promote sustainable fishing practices. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs can help revive endangered species. Evidence for this approach comes from initiatives to breed and release critically endangered species like the black rhinoceros. Complementary sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and fishing can also be promoted to minimize human impact on ecosystems.

Decreasing population figures for animal and plant species is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and action. It is humanity’s collective responsibility to protect and restore the natural world given the origin of these issues.

Answers

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

decline: decrease, diminish, dwindle, wane, recede
pressing issue facing many countries worldwide: urgent concern, critical problem, grave matter
this is a result of human activity: caused by human actions, stemming from human behavior
countered: opposed, combated, resisted, challenged
adopting sustainable policy initiatives: embracing eco-friendly strategies, implementing green policy measures
rampant deforestation: widespread tree loss, uncontrolled forest destruction, extensive logging
agricultural expansion: farming growth, agricultural sprawl, cultivation expansion
logging: timber harvesting, tree cutting, lumber extraction
infrastructure development: construction of infrastructure, urban development, built environment expansion
Amazon rainforest: Amazonian jungle, the Amazon basin, the tropical rainforest of the Amazon
pristine habitats: untouched environments, unspoiled ecosystems, immaculate habitats
cleared: removed, eradicated, obliterated, wiped out
cattle ranching: beef farming, livestock rearing, raising cattle
depriving countless species: robbing numerous species, depriving a multitude of organisms, stripping away biodiversity
natural homes: native habitats, original dwellings, inherent abodes
Relatedly: in connection, correspondingly, in a related vein
including industrial discharge: encompassing factory effluents, incorporating industrial emissions, comprising discharge from industries
agricultural runoff: farming effluents, agricultural discharge, crop production drainage
poses a significant threat: presents a major danger, constitutes a considerable risk, signifies a substantial peril
global release of toxic chemicals into rivers and oceans leads to: worldwide discharge of harmful substances into waterways and seas results in, global dumping of poisonous compounds in rivers and oceans causes
marine life: aquatic organisms, sea creatures, oceanic fauna
disrupts delicate aquatic ecosystems: disturbs fragile water ecosystems, interrupts vulnerable aquatic habitats, undermines intricate marine environments
additional: extra, supplementary, further
deserves attention: merits consideration, warrants focus, calls for awareness
illegal wildlife trade: illicit animal trafficking, unlawful wildlife commerce, black market exchange of fauna
practice: activity, custom, habit, tradition
driven by high demand for exotic: propelled by a strong desire for rare, pushed by a great demand for unusual
traditional medicine: folk medicine, alternative healing practices, ancient remedies
pushing many species towards endangerment: pushing numerous species toward the brink, driving multiple species to endangerment, propelling various species closer to extinction
potential extinction: possible eradication, likely annihilation, plausible extinction
keys: crucial elements, vital components, essential factors
reversing natural degradation: halting ecological decline, undoing environmental deterioration, reversing natural deterioration
conservation: preservation, protection, safeguarding
restoration efforts: rehabilitation initiatives, rejuvenation endeavors, revitalization projects
Biodiversity conservation programs: programs for preserving biodiversity, initiatives to protect species diversity, efforts to conserve biological variety
focus on preserving and restoring specific habitats: concentrate on safeguarding and reviving particular environments, emphasize the preservation and restoration of specific ecosystems
reforestation initiatives: tree-planting programs, afforestation efforts, reestablishment campaigns
aim: goal, objective, purpose, target
replant native tree species: reintroduce indigenous tree species, reforest with local tree varieties, replant endemic trees
deforested areas: cleared regions, logged zones, treeless landscapes
crucial: essential, vital, critical, indispensable
Marine protected areas: ocean sanctuaries, marine reserves, protected marine zones
established: set up, created, founded, instituted
safeguard vulnerable: protect at-risk, defend susceptible, secure endangered
promote sustainable fishing practices: encourage eco-friendly fishing methods, advocate for responsible fishing techniques, support sustainable harvesting in fisheries
Captive breeding: controlled reproduction, breeding in captivity, artificial breeding
reintroduction programs: release programs, reintroduction initiatives, species reestablishment efforts
revive endangered species: restore at-risk species, rejuvenate threatened organisms, bring back endangered populations
Evidence: proof, substantiation, confirmation
approach: method, strategy, approach, technique
initiatives: projects, endeavors, campaigns
breed: propagate, reproduce, generate, produce offspring
release critically endangered species: set free highly endangered species, reintroduce critically endangered organisms, liberate critically endangered populations
black rhinoceros: African rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis
Complementary sustainable practices in agriculture: supplementary eco-friendly practices in farming, sustainable agricultural approaches that work together, additional environmentally conscious methods in farming
forestry: forest management, woodland cultivation, timber production
promoted: encouraged, advocated, endorsed
critical issue: pressing matter, urgent concern, crucial problem
demands immediate attention and action: requires prompt focus and action, necessitates instant attention and intervention, calls for immediate concern and response
humanity’s collective responsibility to protect and restore: the shared duty of humankind to safeguard and rehabilitate, the collective obligation of humanity to preserve and revive, theshared responsibility of humans to protect and restore

Pronunciation

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

dɪˈklaɪn 
ˈprɛsɪŋ ˈɪʃuː ˈfeɪsɪŋ ˈmɛni ˈkʌntriz ˌwɜːldˈwaɪd 
ðɪs ɪz ə rɪˈzʌlt ɒv ˈhjuːmən ækˈtɪvəti 
ˈkaʊntəd 
əˈdɒptɪŋ səsˈteɪnəbᵊl ˈpɒləsi ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz 
ˈræmpᵊnt dɪˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃᵊn 
ˌæɡrɪˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl ɪksˈpænʃᵊn 
ˈlɒɡɪŋ 
ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə dɪˈvɛləpmənt 
ˈæməzᵊn ˈreɪnˌfɒrɪst 
ˈprɪstiːn ˈhæbɪtæts 
klɪəd 
ˈkætᵊl ˈrɑːnʧɪŋ 
dɪˈpraɪvɪŋ ˈkaʊntləs ˈspiːʃiːz 
ˈnæʧᵊrᵊl həʊmz 
rɪˈleɪtɪdli 
ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ ɪnˈdʌstriəl dɪsˈʧɑːʤ 
ˌæɡrɪˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl ˈrʌnɒf 
ˈpəʊzɪz ə sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt θrɛt 
ˈɡləʊbᵊl rɪˈliːs ɒv ˈtɒksɪk ˈkɛmɪkᵊlz ˈɪntuː ˈrɪvəz ænd ˈəʊʃᵊnz liːdz tuː 
məˈriːn laɪf 
dɪsˈrʌpts ˈdɛlɪkɪt əˈkwætɪk ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəmz 
əˈdɪʃᵊnᵊl 
dɪˈzɜːvz əˈtɛnʃᵊn 
ɪˈliːɡᵊl ˈwaɪldlaɪf treɪd 
ˈpræktɪs 
ˈdrɪvᵊn baɪ haɪ dɪˈmɑːnd fɔːr ɪɡˈzɒtɪk 
trəˈdɪʃᵊnᵊl ˈmɛdsɪn 
ˈpʊʃɪŋ ˈmɛni ˈspiːʃiːz təˈwɔːdz ɪnˈdeɪnʤəmənt 
pəˈtɛnʃᵊl ɪksˈtɪŋkʃᵊn 
kiːz 
rɪˈvɜːsɪŋ ˈnæʧᵊrᵊl ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃᵊn 
ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃᵊn 
ˌrɛstəˈreɪʃᵊn ˈɛfəts 
ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃᵊn ˈprəʊɡræmz 
ˈfəʊkəs ɒn prɪˈzɜːvɪŋ ænd rɪsˈtɔːrɪŋ spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈhæbɪtæts 
ˌriːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃᵊn ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz 
eɪm 
riːˈplɑːnt ˈneɪtɪv triː ˈspiːʃiːz 
dɪˈfɒrɪstɪd ˈeəriəz 
ˈkruːʃᵊl 
məˈriːn prəˈtɛktɪd ˈeəriəz 
ɪsˈtæblɪʃt 
ˈseɪfɡɑːd ˈvʌlnᵊrəbᵊl 
prəˈməʊt səsˈteɪnəbᵊl ˈfɪʃɪŋ ˈpræktɪsɪz 
ˈkæptɪv ˈbriːdɪŋ 
ˌriːˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃᵊn ˈprəʊɡræmz 
rɪˈvaɪv ɪnˈdeɪnʤəd ˈspiːʃiːz 
ˈɛvɪdᵊns 
əˈprəʊʧ 
ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz 
briːd 
rɪˈliːs ˈkrɪtɪkᵊli ɪnˈdeɪnʤəd ˈspiːʃiːz 
blæk raɪˈnɒsərəs 
ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri səsˈteɪnəbᵊl ˈpræktɪsɪz ɪn ˈæɡrɪkʌlʧə 
ˈfɒrɪstri 
prəˈməʊtɪd 
ˈkrɪtɪkᵊl ˈɪʃuː 
dɪˈmɑːndz ɪˈmiːdiət əˈtɛnʃᵊn ænd ˈækʃᵊn 
hjuːˈmænətiz kɒˈlɛktɪv rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪləti tuː prəˈtɛkt ænd rɪsˈtɔː 
ˈnæʧᵊrᵊl wɜːld ˈɡɪvᵊn ði ˈɒrɪʤɪn ɒv ðiːz ˈɪʃuːz 

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:

The d_______e in the number of animal and plant species is a p_________________________________________e. In my opinion, t_____________________________y and can be c____________d by a___________________________________s.

Fewer animal and plant species is mainly a human problem. Firstly, there is now r__________________________n for a____________________n, l________g, and i______________________t. In the A____________________t, p________________s are being c________d for c__________g, d___________________________s of their n_____________s. R_______y, pollution, i_______________e and a________________f, p_____________________________t. The g___________________________________________________________o the death of m___________e and d_____________________________s. An a___________________l human activity that d______________________n is i_________________e. This p_______e is d_________________________________c pets, t_____________________e, and animal parts, p_____________________________________t and p_____________________n.

The k____s to r_________________n are c__________n and r____________________s. B_________________________________s should f_______________________________s. For instance, r___________________s can a__m to r_______________________s in d_____________s, providing c________l habitats for various wildlife species. M________________s can be e______________d to s______________e marine ecosystems and p_________________________s. C___________g and r______________s can help r____________________________s. E_______e for this a______h comes from i_________s to b______d and r____________________________________________s like the b________________s. C___________________________________________________________e, f___________y, and fishing can also be p__________d to minimize human impact on ecosystems.

Decreasing population figures for animal and plant species is a c__________e that d______________________________________n. It is h____________________________________________________e the n_________________________________________________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

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

https://www.worldwildlife.org/

Speaking Practice

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

  1. What are some of the major factors contributing to the endangerment of plants and animals in today’s world?
  2. In your opinion, how important is it to raise awareness about endangered plants and animals among the general public? Why?
  3. What measures do you think governments should take to protect endangered species and their habitats?
  4. How can individuals contribute to the conservation of endangered plants and animals in their daily lives?
  5. Do you believe that zoos and wildlife sanctuaries play a significant role in the preservation of endangered species? Why or why not?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Some people claim that too much focus and resources have been spent to protect wild animals and birds.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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