This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer on the topic of personal energy consumption from the real IELTS exam.

The environment comes up on the test all the time so it is very good for you to get some practice with environmental questions.

You can also check out some of my other resources here:

Patreon Exclusive Essays

Writing Task 1 Sample Answers

Writing Task 2 Sample Answers

General Training Sample Answers

Enjoy!

Dave

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Personal Energy Consumption (Real IELTS Test)

Scientists have been warning for many years about environmental protection and how important it is to limit our personal energy consumption.

What are the causes of the over-consumption of electricity?

How can people be encouraged to use less energy?

For decades, warnings of incoming climate catastrophe have grown louder and many today are making concerted efforts to limit their carbon footprint. In my opinion, the main cause of over-consumption of electricity is the development of technology and people can be taught to limit their energy usage through strict governmental regulations.

People today use more electricity because technology has pervaded every aspect of life. Several decades ago, electricity was mainly used to power a limited number of household items including lights, televisions and washing machines. It still powers those devices but now there are phones to charge and computers that use electricity throughout the day. People tend to spend more time at home, online with their devices thus using more power. Even the large servers and generators required to power the internet add to the collective electric toll of modern technology.

The best way to cultivate good energy habits is to impose regulations. Government regulations have been a proven remedy in curbing human excess in terms of using plastic bags (bans) and smoking (taxes). This would also work when it comes to energy. One simple solution would be to tax energy use, though this step would have socioeconomic bias built into it. A better approach might be to regulate the energy efficiency of household items. This would target a high percentage of people across all classes and have an easily quantifiable, manageable outcome.

In conclusion, outsized energy consumption is down to technology and governments can regulate to minimise it moving forward. The more effort put into reducing energy use, the more dividends future generations will reap from today’s reforms.

IELTS Sample Answer Analysis

1. For decades, warnings of incoming climate catastrophe have grown louder and many today are making concerted efforts to limit their carbon footprint. 2. In my opinion, the main cause of over-consumption of electricity is the development of technology and people can be taught to limit their energy usage through strict governmental regulations.

1. Paraphrase the topic of the essay for your first sentence.
2. Give your opinion – clearly.

1. People today use more electricity because technology has pervaded every aspect of life. 2. Several decades ago, electricity was mainly used to power a limited number of household items including lights, televisions and washing machines. 3. It still powers those devices but now there are phones to charge and computers that use electricity throughout the day. 4. People tend to spend more time at home, online with their devices thus using more power. 5. Even the large servers and generators required to power the internet add to the collective electric toll of modern technology.

1. Your topic sentence should clearly state your main idea for the whole paragraph.
2. Develop your main idea with specific detail.
3. Continue to develop. Don’t switch main ideas.
4. The more specific, the better!
5. Conclude your paragraph with more development or a result.

1. The best way to cultivate good energy habits is to impose regulations. 2. Government regulations have been a proven remedy in curbing human excess in terms of using plastic bags (bans) and smoking (taxes). 3. This would also work when it comes to energy. 4. One simple solution would be to tax energy use, though this step would have socioeconomic bias built into it. 5. A better approach might be to regulate the energy efficiency of household items. 6. This would target a high percentage of people across all classes and have an easily quantifiable, manageable outcome.

1. A new main idea for the second question.
2. Again, be as specific as possible developing the main idea.
3. Here I compare regulations in other industries to electricity.
4. I give my first solution here.
5. I conclude that there is an even better, related solution.
6. Conclude the paragraph again detailing why it is a good solution.

1. In conclusion, outsized energy consumption is down to technology and governments can regulate to minimise it moving forward. 2. The more effort put into reducing energy use, the more dividends future generations will reap from today’s reforms.

1. Repeat your opinion.
2. Add a final thought/extra detail at the end.

IELTS Vocabulary

For decades, warnings of incoming climate catastrophe have grown louder and many today are making concerted efforts to limit their carbon footprint. In my opinion, the main cause of over-consumption of electricity is the development of technology and people can be taught to limit their energy usage through strict governmental regulations.

People today use more electricity because technology has pervaded every aspect of life. Several decades ago, electricity was mainly used to power a limited number of household items including lights, televisions and washing machines. It still powers those devices but now there are phones to charge and computers that use electricity throughout the day. People tend to spend more time at home, online with their devices thus using more power. Even the large servers and generators required to power the internet add to the collective electric toll of modern technology.

The best way to cultivate good energy habits is to impose regulations. Government regulations have been a proven remedy in curbing human excess in terms of plastic bags (bans) and smoking (taxes). This would also work when it comes to energy. One simple solution would be to tax energy use, though this step would have socioeconomic bias built into it. A better approach might be to regulate the energy efficiency of household items. This would target a high percentage of people across all classes and have an easily quantifiable, manageable outcome.

In conclusion, outsized energy consumption is down to technology and governments can regulate to minimise it moving forward. The more effort put into reducing energy use, the more dividends future generations will reap from today’s reforms.

Answers

warnings predictions

incoming climate catastrophe weather problems in the future

grown louder become more pressing

concerted efforts focused attempts

limit control

carbon footprint the amount of pollution your produce

over-consumption too much use

strict governmental regulations governments making laws to limit

pervaded throughout

aspect of life part of like

limited number not a lot

devices appliances

thus consequently

large servers computers that support the internet

generators produces electricity

collective electric toll altogether how much electricity it takes up

cultivate good energy habits make people more energy conscious

impose regulations make laws

proven remedy clear solution

curbing human excess limiting use

bans not allow/get rid of

socioeconomic bias favours rich people

built into it part of it

energy efficiency uses little electricity

target focus on

across all classes rich and poor

easily quantifiable can be counted

manageable outcome possible to control

outsized energy consumption using too much energy

minimise make less

effort put into endeavored to

dividends surplus

reap get

reforms changes

Pronunciation

ˈwɔːnɪŋz 
ˈɪnˌkʌmɪŋ ˈklaɪmɪt kəˈtæstrəfi 
grəʊn ˈlaʊdə 
kənˈsɜːtɪd ˈɛfəts 
ˈlɪmɪt 
ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt
ˈəʊvə-kənˈsʌm(p)ʃən 
strɪkt ˌgʌvənˈmɛntl ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
pɜːˈveɪdɪd 
ˈæspɛkt ɒv laɪf
ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˈnʌmbə 
dɪˈvaɪsɪz 
ðʌs 
lɑːʤ ˈsɜːvəz 
ˈʤɛnəreɪtəz 
kɒˈlɛktɪv ɪˈlɛktrɪk təʊl 
ˈkʌltɪveɪt gʊd ˈɛnəʤi ˈhæbɪts 
ɪmˈpəʊz ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
ˈpruːvən ˈrɛmɪdi 
ˈkɜːbɪŋ ˈhjuːmən ɪkˈsɛs 
bænz
ˌsəʊsɪəʊˌɛkəˈnɒmɪk ˈbaɪəs 
bɪlt ˈɪntuː ɪt
ˈɛnəʤi ɪˈfɪʃənsi 
ˈtɑːgɪt 
əˈkrɒs ɔːl ˈklɑːsɪz
ˈiːzɪli ˈkwɒntɪfaɪəbl
ˈmænɪʤəbl ˈaʊtkʌm
ˈaʊtsaɪzd ˈɛnəʤi kənˈsʌm(p)ʃən
ˈmɪnɪmaɪz 
ˈɛfət pʊt ˈɪntuː 
ˈdɪvɪdɛndz 
riːp 
ˌriːˈfɔːmz

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the gaps:

For decades, _______________ of _______________ have _______________ and many today are making _______________ to _______________ their _______________. In my opinion, the main cause of _______________ of electricity is the development of technology and people can be taught to limit their energy usage through _______________.

People today use more electricity because technology has _______________ every _______________. Several decades ago, electricity was mainly used to power a _______________ of household items including lights, televisions and washing machines. It still powers those _______________ but now there are phones to charge and computers that use electricity throughout the day. People tend to spend more time at home, online with their devices _______________ using more power. Even the _______________ and _______________ required to power the internet add to the _______________ of modern technology.

The best way to _______________ is to _______________. Government regulations have been a _______________ in _______________ in terms of plastic bags (_______________) and smoking (taxes). This would also work when it comes to energy. One simple solution would be to tax energy use, though this step would have _______________ _______________. A better approach might be to regulate the _______________ of household items. This would _______________ a high percentage of people _______________ and have an _______________, _______________.

In conclusion, _______________ is down to technology and governments can regulate to _______________ it moving forward. The more _______________ reducing energy use, the more _______________ future generations will _______________ from today’s _______________.

Listening Practice

Watch the video to review the sample answer above:

Student Sample Corrections

Environmentalists have been voicing their concern for some time now[G1] . They have pointed outpointing out that individuals should curb their use of energy, which has been rising at an alarming rate. While the main causes of this problem lie [G2] in our over-reliance on technology, offering energy-efficient goods at a more affordable price can beis a simple [G3] solution. 

The technology has invaded [G4] not just our workplaces, but also our homes. [G5] Nearly all the office jobs have relied heavily relied on computers for decades, but now people use technology at home too for various purposes ranging from domestic chores to entertainment. A typical household in a developing economy, for example, owns at least half a dozen of appliances that run on electricity, not to mention our personal computers, tablets and smartphones. [G6] The figures are even more staggering in Europe and North America. As a result, energy consumption per head on a global scale has risen substantially, placing a serious strain on the environment. Moreover, electricity has become far more affordable, mainly due to improvements in living standards, thus making people less energy-consciousence. [G7] 

Encouraging people to limit their use of technology is highly likely to prove futile. This leaves us with just a few viable solutions, one of which is making energy-efficient goods more affordable. At present, our markets are filled with goods that are cheap but use more substantial amounts of energy. Obviously, the average person is typically more concerned about price than the environmental benefits of any product he they wants to buy. If we could offer environmentally-friendly alternatives at a cheaper price, people would instantly switch, thus effectively reducing their daily energy consumption. For instance, more than half of the homes in my country have yet to switch to energy-saving light bulbs just for economic reasons. Another simpler, yet more attainable, solution is to show how much energy one person can save by making small changes such as not leaving their phones on charginge all night long or turning the lights off when nobody is in the room. [G8] 

In conclusion, it is easy to blame technology for environmental problems. Although it has indeed resulted in energy being used at unprecedented levels, we can make positive changes by lowering the prices for energy-efficient products and informing the public about how they can save energy by making small adjustments to their daily habits. [G9] 

---

 [G1]About what? This sentence is technically not a fragment but in reality we always say what they have been voicing it about.

 [G2]Good vocab!

 [G3]Could be more specific with your vocabulary

 [G4]Too strong

 [G5]Good topic sentence

 [G6]Could be much more specific about the appliances!