This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of researching and living on other planets in the future.
A similar question came up a few months ago so make sure to follow my blog for regular updates!
Be sure to sign up for on Patreon.com/HowtodoIELTS for my exclusive Ebooks and other materials!
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Researching Other Planets
In the future, people may have to live on other planets. Some think that it is therefore important to spend money researching other planets such as Mars.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
It is becoming increasingly likely that humanity will have to someday resort to the colonisation of other planets. Though some suggest that we should divert important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more pragmatic to focus on our current planet.
Advocates of increased funding for interplanetary research hold that leaving Earth is inevitable. This conclusion is underpinned by studies showing the potentially irreversible and undoubtedly catastrophic effects of climate change. So far the habitats devastated have belonged to remote polar regions and the fragile ecosystems of already vulnerable animals. Climate scientists believe this degradation will rapidly extend to the lives of ordinary people and result in a global scarcity of natural resources and more intense natural disasters. If these predictions are accurate then we need a backup plan involving the evacuation of Earth to ensure human survival and prosperity for future generations.
However, the best safeguard against the doomsday scenarios laid out above is to salvage the planet we currently inhabit. It would require an immense amount of time, money, and resources to colonise even the nearest neighbor to Earth, Mars. Instead of directing those energies towards a fantastical plan to terraform an alien planet, the easier option is to invest more in protecting Earth’s environment. Governments could enact stricter regulations on individuals and private companies to cut carbon emissions, while also funding clean energy initiatives. By collectively signing the numerous international accords, policymakers could strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. These solutions are both more realistic in terms of the sacrifices entailed and have a much better chance of actual success.
In conclusion, investing in colonising other planets should not be a priority when there are better solutions to current global problems. Interplanetary dreams should be left to private companies or wealthy individuals who are passionate about humanity’s future in space.
Analysis
1. It is becoming increasingly likely that humanity will have to someday resort to the colonisation of other planets. 2. Though some suggest that we should divert important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more pragmatic to focus on our current planet.
- Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
- Write a clear opinion and include your main ideas if you can.
1. Advocates of increased funding for interplanetary research hold that leaving Earth is inevitable. 2. This conclusion is underpinned by studies showing the potentially irreversible and undoubtedly catastrophic effects of climate change. 3. So far the habitats devastated have belonged to remote polar regions and the fragile ecosystems of already vulnerable animals. 4. Climate scientists believe this degradation will rapidly extend to the lives of ordinary people and result in a global scarcity of natural resources and more intense natural disasters. 5. If these predictions are accurate then we need a backup plan involving the evacuation of Earth to ensure human survival and prosperity for future generations.
- Write a clear topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea or give some background.
- Develop your main idea with specific details.
- Continue to develop it specifically.
- Tie your conclusions back to the main idea.
1. However, the best safeguard against the doomsday scenarios laid out above is to salvage the planet we currently inhabit. 2. It would require an immense amount of time, money, and resources to colonise even the nearest neighbor to Earth, Mars. 3. Instead of directing those energies towards a fantastical plan to terraform an alien planet, the easier option is to invest more in protecting Earth’s environment. 4. Governments could enact stricter regulations on individuals and private companies to cut carbon emissions, while also funding clean energy initiatives. 5. By collectively signing the numerous international accords, policymakers could strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. 6. These solutions are both more realistic in terms of the sacrifices entailed and have a much better chance of actual success.
- Write another clear topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- I start here with a counter-example…
- Then move on to explaining my main idea.
- Use specific examples – the more specific the better.
- Draw out your examples fully and don’t switch to a new main idea.
- Conclude with a strong statement and the final results.
1. In conclusion, investing in colonising other planets should not be a priority when there are better solutions to current global problems. 2. Interplanetary dreams should be left to private companies or wealthy individuals who are passionate about humanity’s future in space.
- Summarise your opinion and arguments.
- Finish summarising and add in an extra detail.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Use the sentences to try to figure out the meaning of difficult words:
It is becoming increasingly likely that humanity will have to someday resort to the colonisation of other planets. Though some suggest that we should divert important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more pragmatic to focus on our current planet.
Advocates of increased funding for interplanetary research hold that leaving Earth is inevitable. This conclusion is underpinned by studies showing the potentially irreversible and undoubtedly catastrophic effects of climate change. So far the habitats devastated have belonged to remote polar regions and the fragile ecosystems of already vulnerable animals. Climate scientists believe this degradation will rapidly extend to the lives of ordinary people and result in a global scarcity of natural resources and more intense natural disasters. If these predictions are accurate then we need a backup plan involving the evacuation of Earth to ensure human survival and prosperity for future generations.
However, the best safeguard against the doomsday scenarios laid out above is to salvage the planet we currently inhabit. It would require an immense amount of time, money, and resources to colonise even the nearest neighbor to Earth, Mars. Instead of directing those energies towards a fantastical plan to terraform an alien planet, the easier option is to invest more in protecting Earth’s environment. Governments could enact stricter regulations on individuals and private companies to cut carbon emissions, while also funding clean energy initiatives. By collectively signing the numerous international accords, policymakers could strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. These solutions are both more realistic in terms of the sacrifices entailed and have a much better chance of actual success.
In conclusion, investing in colonising other planets should not be a priority when there are better solutions to current global problems. Interplanetary dreams should be left to private companies or wealthy individuals who are passionate about humanity’s future in space.
Answers
increasingly likely more and more possible it will happen
resort have to do
colonisation taking over/living on other planets
suggest propose
divert redirect
pragmatic useful
current right now
advocates supporters
interplanetary research learning about other planets
inevitable definitely going to happen
underpinned sourced, the foundation of
potentially irreversible maybe can’t be fixed
undoubtedly catastrophic effects definitely really bad impact
climate change global warming
so far to this point
habitats devastated homes hurt
belonged to were part of
remote polar regions far away cold places like Antarctica
fragile ecosystems delivate habitats
vulnerable easily hurt, weak
degradation getting worse
rapidly extend quickly move to
ordinary people everyday citizens
result in the effect will be
global scarcity of natural resources running out of oil, gas, trees, water, etc.
intense natural disasters powerful hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.
backup plan another option just in case
evacuation escape from
ensure human survival safeguard humanity’s future
prosperity growth
future generations people in the future
best safeguard against top way to protect
doomsday scenarios laid out worst case situations explained before
salvage save what is left of
currently inhabit where we live now
require need
immense amount a lot of
nearest neighbor closest planet
directing those energies focusing on
fantastical plan delusional ideas
terraform make more like Earth
easier option feasible solution
invest more put more money into
enact stricter regulations pass tougher laws
cut carbon emissions reduce reliance on fossil fuels
funding clean energy initiatives giving money for wind, solar, etc.
collectively signing the numerous international accords all together agree on the same laws/regulations
policymakers politicians
strike a balance find the middle ground
economic development jobs, companies doing well
environmental conservation saving the environment
realistic possible, may actually happen
sacrifices entailed what must be given up
actual success could really work
investing putting money into
priority more important
interplanetary dreams desire to go to other planets
wealthy individuals rich people
passionate really caring about
Pronunciation
Listen and repeat:
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈlaɪkli
rɪˈzɔːt
ˌkɒlənaɪˈzeɪʃən
səˈʤɛst
daɪˈvɜːt
prægˈmætɪk
ˈkʌrənt
ˈædvəkɪts
ˌɪntə(ː)ˈplænɪtəri rɪˈsɜːʧ
ɪnˈɛvɪtəbl
ˌʌndəˈpɪnd
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl
ʌnˈdaʊtɪdli ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk ɪˈfɛkts
ˈklaɪmɪt ʧeɪnʤ
səʊ fɑː
ˈhæbɪtæts ˈdɛvəsteɪtɪd
bɪˈlɒŋd tuː
rɪˈməʊt ˈpəʊlə ˈriːʤənz
ˈfræʤaɪl ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəmz
ˈvʌlnərəbl
ˌdɛgrəˈdeɪʃən
ˈræpɪdli ɪksˈtɛnd
ˈɔːdnri ˈpiːpl
rɪˈzʌlt ɪn
ˈgləʊbəl ˈskeəsɪti ɒv ˈnæʧrəl rɪˈsɔːsɪz
ɪnˈtɛns ˈnæʧrəl dɪˈzɑːstəz
ˈbækʌp plæn
ɪˌvækjʊˈeɪʃən
ɪnˈʃʊə ˈhjuːmən səˈvaɪvəl
prɒsˈpɛrɪti
ˈfjuːʧə ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃənz
bɛst ˈseɪfgɑːd əˈgɛnst
ˈduːmzdeɪ sɪˈnɑːrɪəʊz leɪd aʊt
ˈsælvɪʤ
ˈkʌrəntli ɪnˈhæbɪt
rɪˈkwaɪə
ɪˈmɛns əˈmaʊnt
ˈnɪərɪst ˈneɪbə
dɪˈrɛktɪŋ ðəʊz ˈɛnəʤiz
fænˈtæstɪkəl plæn
təˈreəfɔːm
ˈiːzɪər ˈɒpʃən
ɪnˈvɛst mɔː
ɪˈnækt ˈstrɪktə ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
kʌt ˈkɑːbən ɪˈmɪʃənz
ˈfʌndɪŋ kliːn ˈɛnəʤi ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪvz
kɒˈlɛktɪvli ˈsaɪnɪŋ ðə ˈnjuːmərəs ˌɪntə(ː)ˈnæʃənl əˈkɔːdz
ˈpɒlɪsiˈmeɪkəz
straɪk ə ˈbæləns
ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk dɪˈvɛləpmənt
ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntl ˌkɒnsə(ː)ˈveɪʃən
rɪəˈlɪstɪk
ˈsækrɪfaɪsɪz ɪnˈteɪld
ˈækʧʊəl səkˈsɛs
ɪnˈvɛstɪŋ
praɪˈɒrɪti
ˌɪntə(ː)ˈplænɪtəri driːmz
ˈwɛlθi ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəlz
ˈpæʃənɪt
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
It is becoming i_____________________y that humanity will have to someday r________t to the c_________________n of other planets. Though some s_________t that we should d_________t important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more p______________c to focus on our c____________t planet.
A_______________s of increased funding for i________________________h hold that leaving Earth is i_____________e. This conclusion is u________________d by studies showing the p_______________________e and u____________________________s of c__________________e. S_________r the h______________________d have b________________o r___________________s and the f__________________________s of already v_______________e animals. Climate scientists believe this d___________________n will r____________________d to the lives of o_____________________e and r___________n a g___________________________s and more i_____________________________s. If these predictions are accurate then we need a b_________________n involving the e_________________n of Earth to e_________________________l and p_______________y for f______________________s.
However, the b_________________________t the d____________________________t above is to s_____________e the planet we c____________________t. It would r____________e an i___________________t of time, money, and resources to colonise even the n____________________r to Earth, Mars. Instead of d________________________s towards a f______________________n to t_____________m an alien planet, the e_______________n is to i_______________e in protecting Earth’s environment. Governments could e________________________s on individuals and private companies to c_____________________________s, while also f_______________________________s. By c____________________________________________________________s, p____________________s could s__________________e between e_____________________t and e________________________n. These solutions are both more r_____________________c in terms of the s___________________d and have a much better chance of a____________________s.
In conclusion, i___________________g in colonising other planets should not be a p______________y when there are better solutions to current global problems. I____________________________s should be left to private companies or w________________________s who are p___________________e about humanity’s future in space.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn more about terraforming Mars here:
Reading Practice
Read a Wired article on this topic:
https://www.wired.com/story/mars-colonization-photo-gallery/
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real speaking exam:
Science
Do you like science?
Did you learn about science in primary school?
How often do you read about science?
Why is science important to learn about?
Real Past IELTS Speaking Exam
Writing Practice
Write about the related topic below then check with my sample answer:
Research into medical treatments are essential to improve health and fight disease.
Who do you think should fund this research: individuals, private companies or governments?
Real Past IELTS Exam
Good
Thank you!
Hi dave
Great job
Could you please insert date to your posts?
I think this one was published just a few weeks ago – I’ll include the dates under the questions!
Thanks.. All the content is really helpful
You’re very welcome, Aman!
Hi Dave,
I got inspiration from your website a lot.
Could you please do me a favor? I wonder which band I will probably get for the essay below. Thanks
There is every likelihood that humans will reside on other planets in a not-so-distant future. Some believe that investing money in investigating other planets such as Mars is essential. I somewhat agree with such an idea since the environmental issues are getting worse, the population is booming, but that journey contains potential risks from extraterrestrial beings.
That we are in urgent need of searching for an alternative shelter is partly owing to the polluted and contaminated environment. The staple resources such as air, water, soil are being spoiled as a result of neglectful and excessive abuse of people. Living on other planets constitute a quick fix for this alarming situation.
Another reason that contributes to this urgent case is overpopulation. Despite many attempts from governments all over the world, demographics statistics always record a considerable rise and have no sign of stopping. If there were any positive detection from outer space, the life of the next generations would be secured to some extent.
Nevertheless, that adventure is never readily feasible. Until now, with advanced equipment, we still know little about alien life, whether they are hospitable or not is a puzzle for scientists. Besides, investments for that research would cost a big fortune of humankind but could lead to nowhere.
In conclusion, I somewhat agree that it is necessary to undertake in-depth research for other living planets because of environmental issues and overpopulation. However, it is advisable that the global corporation of governments thoroughly prepare in anticipation of unexpected circumstances.
Why would collectively signing international accords lead to economical development?
I don’t say that, Nikki – I say that the accords would help them strike a balance between economy and environmental development.
Is that clearer?
Still confused. How does the economy play a role?
The topic is about whether or not we should prioritize colonizing other planets – I am arguing against that as there are ways to protect our current planet – and some of that relates to the economy as economic growth is one of the causes of environmental problems today.
Does that clarify what I’m arguing, Nikki?
Oh, for example, the oil industry gaining money from energy demands but also degrading the environment? And clean energy companies doing the opposite- good for economy and environment?
Kind of – my point is a bit more general – just that these accords seek to balance economic and environmental interests – they will put in laws that will not harm parts of the economy too much and parts that help.
Hope it’s clearer now, Nikki!
Wouldn’t cutting carbon emissions make private fuel companies lose money?
Yes, but private fuel companies are not the only companies in an economy – there are also tons of clean energy companies – as well as products, consumers, and ways in which protecting the environment can be both good and bad for economics. Accords take those priorities into account to some degree. I think if you read the whole paragraph and the sentences it, it might make more sense to you.