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This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of extinction from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Extinction
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?
Some today argue that humanity should not interfere with the extinction of other species. In my opinion, this was a more legitimate argument in the past, when mankind was not the primary driving force behind this phenomenon.
Throughout history, extinction has been part of natural selection and evolution. Creatures such as the dinosaurs disappeared due to a likely cataclysmic event, but in more recent history, less adaptable species have also gone extinct. Humanity, in these cases, played either no role or one commensurate with the rest of nature. This can be seen as necessary to the work of nature. Certain species develop and prosper, while other ones do not and perish. A modern, compassionate public might view this as inhumane, but the indifferent cruelty in nature has served the historic purpose of maintaining a healthy, thriving, and diverse ecosystem.
However, contemporary human dominance must be accompanied by a larger share of responsibility. Mankind is no longer one animal among many, but the dominant species whose actions affect the majority of other animals. The most pertinent examples of this relate to deforestation and climate change. In order to sustain booming populations, production has stripped bare sections of the earth, decimating natural habitats and plunging thousands of species to the brink of extinction. The causal role of human industry necessitates taking responsibility. Moreover, there are simple steps that could be taken to preserve species and curb the effects of human progress. If countries collectively committed to moderate conservation efforts, then the earth could be restored to a more natural equilibrium.
In conclusion, though humanity was not at fault for past extinctions, the current influence of industry means that we should now take responsibility for biological diversity. Once a species disappears, it will never return.
Analysis
1. Some today argue that humanity should not interfere with the extinction of other species. 2. In my opinion, this was a more legitimate argument in the past, when mankind was not the primary driving force behind this phenomenon.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Throughout history, extinction has been part of natural selection and evolution. 2. Creatures such as the dinosaurs disappeared due to a likely cataclysmic event, but in more recent history, less adaptable species have also gone extinct. 3. Humanity, in these cases, played either no role or one commensurate with the rest of nature. 4. This can be seen as necessary to the work of nature. 5. Certain species develop and prosper, while other ones do not and perish. 6. A modern, compassionate public might view this as inhumane, but the indifferent cruelty in nature has served the historic purpose of maintaining a healthy, thriving, and diverse ecosystem.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Stay focused on the same main idea.
- Conclude with a strong statement.
1. However, contemporary human dominance must be accompanied by a larger share of responsibility. 2. Mankind is no longer one animal among many, but the dominant species whose actions affect the majority of other animals. 3. The most pertinent examples of this relate to deforestation and climate change. 4. In order to sustain booming populations, production has stripped bare sections of the earth, decimating natural habitats and plunging thousands of species to the brink of extinction. 5. The causal role of human industry necessitates taking responsibility. 6. Moreover, there are simple steps that could be taken to preserve species and curb the effects of human progress. 7. If countries collectively committed to moderate conservation efforts, then the earth could be restored to a more natural equilibrium.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it fully!
- Vary short and long sentences.
- Add in more detail and results.
- The further you extend your ideas, the better.
1. In conclusion, though humanity was not at fault for past extinctions, the current influence of industry means that we should now take responsibility for biological diversity. 2. Once a species disappears, it will never return.
- 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.
Some today argue that humanity should not interfere with the extinction of other species. In my opinion, this was a more legitimate argument in the past, when mankind was not the primary driving force behind this phenomenon.
Throughout history, extinction has been part of natural selection and evolution. Creatures such as the dinosaurs disappeared due to a likely cataclysmic event, but in more recent history, less adaptable species have also gone extinct. Humanity, in these cases, played either no role or one commensurate with the rest of nature. This can be seen as necessary to the work of nature. Certain species develop and prosper, while other ones do not and perish. A modern, compassionate public might view this as inhumane, but the indifferent cruelty in nature has served the historic purpose of maintaining a healthy, thriving, and diverse ecosystem.
However, contemporary human dominance must be accompanied by a larger share of responsibility. Mankind is no longer one animal among many, but the dominant species whose actions affect the majority of other animals. The most pertinent examples of this relate to deforestation and climate change. In order to sustain booming populations, production has stripped bare sections of the earth, decimating natural habitats and plunging thousands of species to the brink of extinction. The causal role of human industry necessitates taking responsibility. Moreover, there are simple steps that could be taken to preserve species and curb the effects of human progress. If countries collectively committed to moderate conservation efforts, then the earth could be restored to a more natural equilibrium.
In conclusion, though humanity was not at fault for past extinctions, the current influence of industry means that we should now take responsibility for biological diversity. Once a species disappears, it will never return.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
humanity mankind
interfere get in the way of
extinction an animal species completely disappearing
species kind of animal
legitimate argument justified ideas
mankind humanity
primary driving force behind main source of
phenomenon happening
throughout all the way through
natural selection the way animals evolve
evolution how animals change over time
disappeared gone away
due to a likely because of probably
cataclysmic event big problem
in more recent history in the last few decades or so
less adaptable not as flexible
gone extinct completely gone
in these cases in these instances
played either no role had no effect in it
commensurate equal to
rest of nature all other plants and animals
necessary needed
develop change over time
prosper flourish
perish die out
modern new
compassionate public caring people
view opinion
inhumane cruel
indifferent cruelty not caring and mean
served did its part
historic purpose reason throughout history/the past
maintaining keeping up
thriving flourishing
diverse ecosystem lots of different plants and animals
contemporary human dominance recent era of mankind ruling
accompanied by along with
larger share of responsibility more duty
no longer not anymore
dominant most powerful
majority most of
pertinent relevant
relate to have to do with
deforestation cutting down forests
climate change global warming
sustain booming populations feed more and more people
stripped bare everything taken away
sections of the earth parts of the world
decimating natural habitats destroying animal homes
plunging thousands of species making many animals disappear
brink of extinction nearly gone
causal role the one that made it happen
necessitates requires
simple steps basic actions
preserve species keep animals live
curb the effects of human progress limit the impact of mankind
collectively committed altogether decided to
moderate conservation efforts minor changes to policies
restored to brought back to
more natural equilibrium more equal and balanced
at fault their responsibility
biological diversity different kinds of plants and animals
return come back
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
hju(ː)ˈmænɪti
ˌɪntəˈfɪə
ɪksˈtɪŋkʃən
ˈspiːʃiːz
lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt ˈɑːgjʊmənt
mænˈkaɪnd
ˈpraɪməri ˈdraɪvɪŋ fɔːs bɪˈhaɪnd
fɪˈnɒmɪnən
θru(ː)ˈaʊt
ˈnæʧrəl sɪˈlɛkʃən
ˌiːvəˈluːʃən
ˌdɪsəˈpɪəd
djuː tuː ə ˈlaɪkli
ˌkætəˈklɪzmɪk ɪˈvɛnt
ɪn mɔː ˈriːsnt ˈhɪstəri
lɛs əˈdæptəbl
gɒn ɪksˈtɪŋkt
ɪn ðiːz ˈkeɪsɪz
pleɪd ˈaɪðə nəʊ rəʊl
kəˈmɛnʃərɪt
rɛst ɒv ˈneɪʧə
ˈnɛsɪsəri
dɪˈvɛləp
ˈprɒspə
ˈpɛrɪʃ
ˈmɒdən
kəmˈpæʃənɪt ˈpʌblɪk
vjuː
ˌɪnhju(ː)ˈmeɪn
ɪnˈdɪfrənt ˈkru(ː)əlti
sɜːvd
hɪsˈtɒrɪk ˈpɜːpəs
meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ
ˈθraɪvɪŋ
daɪˈvɜːs ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm
kənˈtɛmpərəri ˈhjuːmən ˈdɒmɪnəns
əˈkʌmpənid baɪ
ˈlɑːʤə ʃeər ɒv rɪsˌpɒnsəˈbɪlɪti
nəʊ ˈlɒŋgə
ˈdɒmɪnənt
məˈʤɒrɪti
ˈpɜːtɪnənt
rɪˈleɪt tuː
dɪˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃ(ə)n
ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ
səsˈteɪn ˈbuːmɪŋ ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃənz
strɪpt beə
ˈsɛkʃənz ɒv ði ɜːθ
ˈdɛsɪmeɪtɪŋ ˈnæʧrəl ˈhæbɪtæts
ˈplʌnʤɪŋ ˈθaʊzəndz ɒv ˈspiːʃiːz
brɪŋk ɒv ɪksˈtɪŋkʃən
ˈkɔːzəl rəʊl
nɪˈsɛsɪteɪts
ˈsɪmpl stɛps
prɪˈzɜːv ˈspiːʃiːz
kɜːb ði ɪˈfɛkts ɒv ˈhjuːmən ˈprəʊgrəs
kɒˈlɛktɪvli kəˈmɪtɪd
ˈmɒdərɪt ˌkɒnsə(ː)ˈveɪʃən ˈɛfəts
rɪsˈtɔːd tuː
mɔː ˈnæʧrəl ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm
æt fɔːlt
ˌbaɪəʊˈlɒʤɪkəl daɪˈvɜːsɪti
rɪˈtɜːn
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 today argue that h______________y should not i_______________e with the e____________n of other s___________s. In my opinion, this was a more l______________________t in the past, when m___________d was not the p______________________________d this p_______________n.
T_______________t history, extinction has been part of n_______________n and e______________n. Creatures such as the dinosaurs d__________________________y c___________________t, but i______________________y, l___________________e species have also g___________________t. Humanity, i__________________s, p_____________________e or one c________________e with the r_______________e. This can be seen as n______________y to the work of nature. Certain species d___________p and p___________r, while other ones do not and p_________h. A m____________n, c____________________________c might v______w this as i___________e, but the i____________________y in nature has s________d the h__________________e of m______________g a healthy, t____________g, and d___________________m.
However, c_________________________________e must be a__________________y a l_____________________________y. Mankind is n____________r one animal among many, but the d_____________t species whose actions affect the m___________y of other animals. The most p_______________t examples of this r__________________________n and c__________________e. In order to s_________________________________s, production has s______________________________________h, d_________________________s and p____________________________s to the b__________________n. The c____________e of human industry n_______________s taking responsibility. Moreover, there are s_________________s that could be taken to p__________________s and c_________________________________s. If countries c_____________________d to m_________________________s, then the earth could be r_____________o a m__________________________m.
In conclusion, though humanity was not a__________t for past extinctions, the current influence of industry means that we should now take responsibility for b____________________y. Once a species disappears, it will never r________n.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video 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:
Wildlife
- Have you ever seen a wild animal?
- What is your favourite wild animal?
- How do you feel when you see animals at the zoo?
- What is the importance of animals to children?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
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