This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of drilling in remote locations from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Prioritizing Healthcare
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of oil drilling operations in remote locations around the world. This has brought economic benefits to some countries, though it has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of these operations.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
There is ongoing debate about whether or not nations should drill for oil in remote locations. While some argue that it is necessary to meet our ever-increasing energy demands, I would side with those who contend that the potential environmental damage to local communities outweighs any economic benefits.
On the one hand, drilling for oil in remote locations can facilitate energy production. For example, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is estimated to contain up to 12 billion barrels of oil, which could help to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Other nations have similar reserves that can meet pressing demands for the average person. The drilling operations in these remote locations will simultaneously create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area. As economic conditions improve, energy needs will concomitantly rise and increased drilling can potentially create a cycle that benefits both locals and a given country at large.
On the other hand, drilling for oil in remote locations has significant environmental consequences. The process of extracting oil can lead to the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. For instance, the Canadian oil sands, which are located in unpopulated areas of Alberta, are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Relatedly, drilling can have negative effects on the health and wellbeing of nearby communities, particularly indigenous populations. In the above-mentioned example, some of the oil has been extracted through the controversial practice of fracking which contaminates local water supplies where native population rates are high.
In conclusion, while drilling for oil in remote locations may provide temporary economic benefits, the long-term costs to the environment and local communities are too significant. Instead, governments should prioritize the development of sustainable energy sources that will help to ensure a cleaner, healthier future for all.
Analysis
1. There is ongoing debate about whether or not nations should drill for oil in remote locations. 2. While some argue that it is necessary to meet our ever-increasing energy demands, I would side with those who contend that the potential environmental damage to local communities outweighs any economic benefits.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. On the one hand, drilling for oil in remote locations can facilitate energy production. 2. For example, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is estimated to contain up to 12 billion barrels of oil, which could help to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. 3. Other nations have similar reserves that can meet pressing demands for the average person. 4. The drilling operations in these remote locations will simultaneously create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area. 5. As economic conditions improve, energy needs will concomitantly rise and increased drilling can potentially create a cycle that benefits both locals and a given country at large.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Make sure your examples are specific.
- And you fully detail the results.
1. On the other hand, drilling for oil in remote locations has significant environmental consequences. 2. The process of extracting oil can lead to the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. 3. For instance, the Canadian oil sands, which are located in unpopulated areas of Alberta, are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. 4. Relatedly, drilling can have negative effects on the health and wellbeing of nearby communities, particularly indigenous populations. 5. In the above-mentioned example, some of the oil has been extracted through the controversial practice of fracking which contaminates local water supplies where native population rates are high.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Finish the paragraph strong.
1. In conclusion, while drilling for oil in remote locations may provide temporary economic benefits, the long-term costs to the environment and local communities are too significant. 2. Instead, governments should prioritize the development of sustainable energy sources that will help to ensure a cleaner, healthier future for all.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- 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.
There is ongoing debate about whether or not nations should drill for oil in remote locations. While some argue that it is necessary to meet our ever-increasing energy demands, I would side with those who contend that the potential environmental damage to local communities outweighs any economic benefits.
On the one hand, drilling for oil in remote locations can facilitate energy production. For example, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is estimated to contain up to 12 billion barrels of oil, which could help to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Other nations have similar reserves that can meet pressing demands for the average person. The drilling operations in these remote locations will simultaneously create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area. As economic conditions improve, energy needs will concomitantly rise and increased drilling can potentially create a cycle that benefits both locals and a given country at large.
On the other hand, drilling for oil in remote locations has significant environmental consequences. The process of extracting oil can lead to the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. For instance, the Canadian oil sands, which are located in unpopulated areas of Alberta, are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Relatedly, drilling can have negative effects on the health and wellbeing of nearby communities, particularly indigenous populations. In the above-mentioned example, some of the oil has been extracted through the controversial practice of fracking which contaminates local water supplies where native population rates are high.
In conclusion, while drilling for oil in remote locations may provide temporary economic benefits, the long-term costs to the environment and local communities are too significant. Instead, governments should prioritize the development of sustainable energy sources that will help to ensure a cleaner, healthier future for all.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
There is ongoing debate about whether or not many people are wondering about if
drill for oil get fuel out of the ground
remote locations far away places
necessary needed
meet our ever-increasing energy demands satisfy the need for more fuel
I would side with those who contend that I agree with the people who say that
potential environmental damage to local communities outweighs possibly hurting nature and people are more significant
economic benefits helping the economy
facilitate energy production help make more energy
estimated to contain up to likely holds
reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil lower need for imported oil
similar reserves comparable deposits
meet pressing demands for the average person fulfill urgent needs of everyday people
drilling operations oil extraction procedures
simultaneously at the same time
stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area foster economic advancement in the neighboring region
As economic conditions improve with an enhancement in the economy
concomitantly rise increase simultaneously
potentially create a cycle could lead to a pattern
benefits advantages
a given country at large the entire nation
significant environmental consequences important environmental effects
The process of extracting oil petroleum retrieval procedure
lead to result in
release of greenhouse gases emission of harmful gases
harmful pollutants detrimental contaminants
atmosphere air
contributing to climate change causing global warming
unpopulated areas deserted regions
largest sources of main origins of
Relatedly similarly
health and wellbeing of nearby communities the welfare of neighboring communities
particularly indigenous populations predominantly original inhabitants
In the above-mentioned example in the earlier mentioned case
extracted through the controversial practice of fracking extracted using the disputed process of fracking
where native population rates are high in areas with elevated indigenous population levels
provide temporary economic benefits supply short-term financial advantages
long-term costs to extended consequences for
Instead as an alternative
prioritize put first
sustainable energy sources eco-friendly energy
ensure a cleaner secure a less polluted
healthier future for all better future for everyone
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ðeər ɪz ˈɒŋˌɡəʊɪŋ dɪˈbeɪt əˈbaʊt ˈwɛðər ɔː nɒt
drɪl fɔːr ɔɪl
rɪˈməʊt ləʊˈkeɪʃᵊnz
ˈnɛsɪsəri
miːt ˈaʊə ˈɛvər-ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ ˈɛnəʤi dɪˈmɑːndz
aɪ wʊd saɪd wɪð ðəʊz huː kənˈtɛnd ðæt
pəˈtɛnʃᵊl ɪnˌvaɪrᵊnˈmɛntᵊl ˈdæmɪʤ tuː ˈləʊkᵊl kəˈmjuːnətiz aʊtˈweɪ
ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈbɛnɪfɪts
fəˈsɪlɪteɪt ˈɛnəʤi prəˈdʌkʃᵊn
ˈɛstɪmeɪtɪd tuː kənˈteɪn ʌp tuː
rɪˈdjuːs əˈmɛrɪkəz dɪˈpɛndəns ɒn ˈfɒrən ɔɪl
ˈsɪmɪlə rɪˈzɜːvz
miːt ˈprɛsɪŋ dɪˈmɑːndz fɔː ði ˈævərɪʤ ˈpɜːsᵊn
ˈdrɪlɪŋ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃᵊnz
ˌsɪməlˈteɪniəsli
ˈstɪmjəleɪt ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ɡrəʊθ ɪn ðə səˈraʊndɪŋ ˈeərɪə
æz ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk kənˈdɪʃᵊnz ɪmˈpruːv
kənˈkɒmɪtəntli raɪz
pəˈtɛnʃᵊli kriˈeɪt ə ˈsaɪkᵊl
ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ə ˈɡɪvᵊn ˈkʌntri æt lɑːʤ
sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt ɪnˌvaɪrᵊnˈmɛntᵊl ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz
ðə ˈprəʊsɛs ɒv ɪksˈtræktɪŋ ɔɪl
liːd tuː
rɪˈliːs ɒv ˈɡriːnhaʊs ˈɡæsɪz
ˈhɑːmfʊl pəˈluːtənts
ˈætməsfɪə
kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪŋ tuː ˈklaɪmət ʧeɪnʤ
ˌʌnˈpɒpjəleɪtɪd ˈeərɪəz
ˈlɑːʤɪst ˈsɔːsɪz ɒv
rɪˈleɪtɪdli
hɛlθ ænd ˌwɛlˈbiːɪŋ ɒv ˈnɪəbaɪ kəˈmjuːnətiz
pəˈtɪkjələli ɪnˈdɪʤɪnəs ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊnz
ɪn ði əˈbʌvˈmɛnʃᵊnd ɪɡˈzɑːmpᵊl
ɪksˈtræktɪd θruː ðə ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃᵊl ˈpræktɪs ɒv frakɪŋ
weə ˈneɪtɪv ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn reɪts ɑː haɪ
prəˈvaɪd ˈtɛmpərəri ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ˈlɒŋtɜːm kɒsts tuː
ɪnˈstɛd
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz
səsˈteɪnəbᵊl ˈɛnəʤi ˈsɔːsɪz
ɪnˈʃʊər ə ˈkliːnə
ˈhɛlθɪə ˈfjuːʧə fɔːr ɔːl
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:
T______________________________________t nations should d____________l in r_________________s. While some argue that it is n__________y to m___________________________s, I_____________________________________t the p______________________________________________________h any e___________________s.
On the one hand, drilling for oil in remote locations can f______________________n. For example, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is e________________________o 12 billion barrels of oil, which could help to r____________________________________________l. Other nations have s______________s that can m_______________________________________n. The d____________________s in these remote locations will s___________________y create jobs and s________________________________________a. A__________________________________e, energy needs will c________________e and increased drilling can p__________________________e that b__________s both locals and a______________________________e.
On the other hand, drilling for oil in remote locations has s_____________________________________________s. T__________________________l can l___________o the r___________________________s and other h_________________s into the a_____________e, c_________________________e. For instance, the Canadian oil sands, which are located in u__________________s of Alberta, are one of the l___________________f greenhouse gas emissions in the world. R_________y, drilling can have negative effects on the h______________________________________s, p_____________________________________s. I__________________________e, some of the oil has been e_________________________________________g which contaminates local water supplies w_________________________________________________h.
In conclusion, while drilling for oil in remote locations may p_____________________________________s, the l____________________o the environment and local communities are too significant. I_______d, governments should p___________e the development of s__________________________s that will help to e_________________r, h___________________l.
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:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Environment
- How are environmental problems dealt with in your country?
- What can be done to make people recycle more often?
- What is the most pressing environmental problem?
- Is recycling a common practice in your country?
- Are governments or individuals more responsible?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:
The global demand for oil and gas is increasing. Some believe that we should therefore encourage the exploitation of remote areas.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
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