This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer from the real test/exam related to the economy and the environment.
Both topics – economics and the environment – are really common on IELTS and might come up on the listening, reading, writing, or speaking test.
Be sure to check out my Patreon exclusive essays as well.
Enjoy!
Dave
Before reading my sample essay, listen to the audio to practice your listening skills:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: The Economy & the Environment (Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests)
Developing the economy will always damage the environment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
It is often asserted that economic progress must always come at the expense of environmental. While this is not the case for entrenched economies, it is true for nations trying to gain a foothold in the global marketplace.
Only developed nations have the prerogative of protecting the environment without major economic backlash. The best examples of this can be seen in advanced economies around the world ranging from Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. All these nations are already dominant in various global economic sectors. Germany leads the world in automobile manufacturing and other high-end goods. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. This frees them up to haughtily build more energy efficient factories, tax companies, pass public awareness bans, and regulate pollution far more aggressively than developing nations.
Developing nations have neither the means nor the inclination to protect the environment. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a rapidly evolving, populous nation. A good deal of their economic growth has come from offshore drilling, which has resulted in oil spills, as well as factories dotting the countryside, which contribute to growing concerns about air pollution. Many people depend on these businesses for their livelihood and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage. In order to catch up they must cut environmental corners or risk falling further behind globally.
In conclusion, environmental conservation is a privilege for countries that contributed the most to climate change historically. Developed nations ought to make allowances for countries that are still struggling to provide their citizenry with a decent standard of living.
Word Count: 290
Analysis
1. It is often asserted that economic progress must always come at the expense of environmental. 2. While this is not the case for entrenched economies, it is true for nations trying to gain a foothold in the global marketplace.
- Paraphrase the main topic of the whole essay in your first sentence.
- Give your opinion and make it 100% clear. This one kind of sits in the middle but I can do that because I am very clear about the situation when I believe it is true/not true. Don’t just write ‘both sides are right’ or you will get band 5 for task achievement.
1. Only developed nations have the prerogative of protecting the environment without major economic backlash. 2. The best examples of this can be seen in advanced economies around the world ranging from Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. 3. All these nations are already dominant in various global economic sectors. 4. Germany leads the world in automobile manufacturing and other high-end goods. 5. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. 6. This frees them up to haughtily build more energy efficient factories, tax companies, pass public awareness bans, and regulate pollution far more aggressively than developing nations.
- Write a topic sentence with your main idea at the end of the sentence.
- Start your example/support or explain your main idea. Mine doesn’t need any explanation so I start the examples.
- Here I state why those examples are important to my main idea.
- Be as specific as possible – that’s why I write about the products Germany sells.
- Same with Japan.
- Notice the specific regulations that I mention – be specific!
1. Developing nations have neither the means nor the inclination to protect the environment. 2. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a rapidly evolving, populous nation. 3. A good deal of their economic growth has come from offshore drilling, which has resulted in oil spills, as well as factories dotting the countryside, which contribute to growing concerns about air pollution. 4. Many people depend on these businesses for their livelihood and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage. 5. In order to catch up they must cut environmental corners or risk falling further behind globally.
- Another topic sentence with a new main idea.
- Start your example – use your country or one you know well so that you can write a very specific example.
- Develop your example with specific information.
- Continue developing it – don’t write a second example!
- Finish developing your example or make a general statement relating it to your main idea.
1. In conclusion, environmental conservation is a privilege for countries that contributed the most to climate change historically. 2. Developed nations ought to make allowances for countries that are still struggling to provide their citizenry with a decent standard of living.
- Repeat your opinion.
- Add in an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
It is often asserted that economic progress must always come at the expense of environmental. While this is not the case for entrenched economies, it is true for nations trying to gain a foothold in the global marketplace.
Only developed nations have the prerogative of protecting the environment without major economic backlash. The best examples of this can be seen in advanced economies around the world ranging from Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. All these nations are already dominant in various global economic sectors. Germany leads the world in automobile manufacturing and other high-end goods. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. This frees them up to haughtily build more energy efficient factories, tax companies, pass public awareness bans, and regulate pollution far more aggressively than developing nations.
Developing nations have neither the means nor the inclination to protect the environment. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a rapidly evolving, populous nation. A good deal of their economic growth has come from offshore drilling, which has resulted in oil spills, as well as factories dotting the countryside, which contribute to growing concerns about air pollution. Many people depend on these businesses for their livelihood and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage. In order to catch up they must cut environmental corners or risk falling further behind globally.
In conclusion, environmental conservation is a privilege for countries that contributed the most to climate change historically. Developed nations ought to make allowances for countries that are still struggling to provide their citizenry with a decent standard of living.
Answers
asserted claimed
progress moving forward
come at the expense of require
entrenched economies established economies
gain a foothold become part of
global marketplace world economy
prerogative privilege/right/obligation
major economic backlash hurting their economy a lot
advanced economies developed nations
ranging from including
dominant overwhelming/in control
various global economic sectors industries
leads the world sells more than any other country
high-end goods quality products
frees them up allows them to
haughtily arrogantly
energy efficient factories factories that don’t pollute much
pass public awareness bans regulate consumer behaviour
regulate pollution pass laws for the environment
far more aggressively much more stringent
means methods
inclination will
rapidly evolving always changing/getting better
populous lots of people
offshore drilling looking for oil under the water
resulted in caused
spills oil getting into the water
dotting appearing along
contribute to add to
depend rely on
livelihood making a living/jobs
initial first
competitive disadvantage well behind
catch up become equal with
cut environmental corners not care about pollution
risk falling further behind globally might lose ground to other countries
environmental conservation protecting the environment
privilege right
historically throughout history
make allowances let them
struggling having a tough time
provide give
citizenry people of a country
decent standard of living can make enough money
Pronunciation
əˈsɜːtɪd
ˈprəʊgrəs
kʌm æt ði ɪksˈpɛns ɒv
ɪnˈtrɛnʧt i(ː)ˈkɒnəmiz
geɪn ə ˈfʊthəʊld
ˈgləʊbəl ˈmɑːkɪtpleɪs
prɪˈrɒgətɪv
ˈmeɪʤər ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈbæklæʃ
ədˈvɑːnst i(ː)ˈkɒnəmiz
ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm
ˈdɒmɪnənt
ˈveərɪəs ˈgləʊbəl ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈsɛktəz
liːdz ðə wɜːld
haɪ-ɛnd gʊdz
friːz ðɛm ʌp
ˈhɔːtɪli
ˈɛnəʤi ɪˈfɪʃənt ˈfæktəriz
pɑːs ˈpʌblɪk əˈweənəs bænz
ˈrɛgjʊleɪt pəˈluːʃən
fɑː mɔːr əˈgrɛsɪvli
miːnz
ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən
ˈræpɪdli ɪˈvɒlvɪŋ
ˈpɒpjʊləs
ˌɒfˈʃɔː ˈdrɪlɪŋ
rɪˈzʌltɪd ɪn
spɪlz
ˈdɒtɪŋ
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t tuː
dɪˈpɛnd
ˈlaɪvlɪhʊd
ɪˈnɪʃəl
kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪʤ
kæʧ ʌp
kʌt ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntl ˈkɔːnəz
rɪsk ˈfɔːlɪŋ ˈfɜːðə bɪˈhaɪnd ˈgləʊbəli
ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntl ˌkɒnsə(ː)ˈveɪʃən
ˈprɪvɪlɪʤ
hɪsˈtɒrɪkəli
meɪk əˈlaʊənsɪz
ˈstrʌglɪŋ
prəˈvaɪd
ˈsɪtɪznri
ˈdiːsnt ˈstændəd ɒv ˈlɪvɪŋ
Listen and repeat:
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
It is often ____________ that economic ____________ must always ____________ environmental. While this is not the case for ____________, it is true for nations trying to ____________ in the ____________.
Only developed nations have the ____________ of protecting the environment without ____________. The best examples of this can be seen in ____________ around the world ____________ Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. All these nations are already ____________ in ____________. Germany ____________ in automobile manufacturing and other ____________. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. This ____________ to ____________ build more ____________, tax companies, ____________, and ____________ ____________ than developing nations.
Developing nations have neither the ____________ nor the ____________ to protect the environment. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a ____________, ____________ nation. A good deal of their economic growth has come from ____________, which has ____________ oil ____________, as well as factories ____________ the countryside, which ____________ growing concerns about air pollution. Many people ____________ on these businesses for their ____________ and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge ____________ , ____________. In order to ____________ they must ____________ or ____________.
In conclusion, ____________ is a ____________ for countries that contributed the most to climate change ____________. Developed nations ought to ____________ for countries that are still ____________ to ____________ their ____________ with a ____________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Practice your listening with this video about th Yamuna in India:
Reading Practice
Read here about air pollution in developing countries:
Speaking Practice
Answer these questions from the real speaking exam on the topic of the environment:
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?
One of the best examples of 9 band scores that I happened to read for free. The eclectic use of vocabulary to second the content of the essay left me with a mesmerizing experience. I was looking for such type of essay that could stand as a true testament of a meticulously articulated opinion. From all accounts you deserve accolades galore. Thank you Dave. Appreciate your ingenuity coupled with genuine and sublime candor spilled over the writing.
Wow! Thanks so much – I really appreciate the kind words. I put a lot of effort into writing them to a high standard!
Your painstaking and strenuous efforts are well reflected in your answer. I became your huge fan at a single stroke. Thank you again. I felt I was reading English while going through your essay. You have helped me ignite my penchant for honing my writing skills. That’s what I call inspiration. Hats off Dave! By the way, I am readying for the IELTS Academics Test scheduled for the end of March 2020.
Good luck! What score do you need on it?
8/8.5
Have you taken it before? Those scores will be a real challenge!
Though the same thought has already put me on edge, I am bracing up for the test. So far, in some self assigned mock tests at home, I have had 35-37 correct answers in Reading, and 35-39 in Listening. I have confidence enough for Speaking. Now I see an obvious uphill battle for writing. However I am hopeful that it can go better after I follow your sample examples and ample of tips provided especially in the areas of using vocabulary effectively.
Yes, writing is often the most challenging score for students. Let me know how it goes!
You are right. Of course I shall let you know.
Good luck!
from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage
Hi dave,
what do you mean by this above phrasr?
That means that from the beginning they are way behind so it is hard to catch up, like starting a game 10 points behind to begin with.
Many people say that globalization and the growing number of multinational companies have a negative effect on the environment. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. To what extent do you agree or disagree.
Nowadays, the World is frequent victims of the copious number of natural disasters that can be happened due to disturbance of the living and non-living creatures. Moreover, many people have lost their identity as well as flora and fauna forces to abandon their habitat. It is argued that the influence of the era of extension and proliferating of enormous corporations’ concussion to nature is unbearable. I partly agree with this statement and in this essay I will support my opinion with examples.
On the other hand, the Destruction of natural substances can occur in various ways with unstoppable development and industrialization. Furthermore, the wild animals become in endanger and reducing the abundance of fishes and aquatic organisms because of water contamination. As a result, diminishing the lands micro and macro elements, and heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, etc. accumulate to the soil. For example, underprivileged countries that used to meet the goal of production have already been facing various types of fatal diseases like cancer, respiratory problems, etc.
On the other hand, development could not only prompt consequences, nevertheless, but it also brings the progress of the economy and facilitates the availability of the jobs. Additionally, foreign investment and collaboration with the local companies to the establishment of industries at the special economic zones which are generating a bunch of local resources and employees. Consequently, changing the status of livelihoods of endemic communities. For instance, after the fourth industrial revaluation revealed many newly born progressive countries owing to implement of enormous industries do business with international corporations.
In conclusion, it is very obvious to misguide the significant outcome of development in an area because of international chain institutes as well as their consequences that drastically impact on living being of this surrounding. Personally, I think, proper guidelines and protocols should intend to rehabilitate nature and keep continuing economic amelioration.
Good work Mahin!
But your opinion in the introduction and conclusion is very unclear and that will hurt your score. Try to choose a clearer side.
You have some good ideas and use some good vocabulary but there are a lot of mistakes with vocabulary and grammar that make it very, very difficult to read and understand.
Try to simplify your vocabulary and use the words that you are sure about!
Developing the economy will always damage the environment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Humanity thinks that investments in economy mean damage to the nature/ecology with which completely agree for the following reasons:
Firstly excessive attention to economy create/mean/lead some ecological issues, for example/for instance air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution because factories, companies will produce/release more pollution. For instance according to the latest news, high rate /level of pollution in China was caused by industrial sector.
Secondly / moreover this will contribute to the increase of profit driven/money driven people because society will forget to care about nature, people start to throw away garbage.
In conclusion, I support the idea that investments to economy will contribute to damage to the environment because of ecological issues that it causes and creates society of money driven people.
Good work, Lola!
You need to have longer paragraphs natureall but it is a good start. Careful with your plural and singular referencing with ‘it’ and ‘they’ as well.
Keep it up!