IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay: Environmental Responsibility — Model Answer
In the hierarchy of IELTS Task 2 prompts, the "Environmental Responsibility" debate is a staple. However, most candidates fail to achieve Band 7+ because they treat the prompt as a moral discussion rather than a structural analysis. Examiners are not looking for your passion for the planet; they are looking for your ability to handle complex causality and abstract nouns.
The question
Some people argue that it is the primary responsibility of individuals to protect the environment. Others, however, believe that the government and large corporations should take the lead. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model answer (opening excerpt)
The question of whether environmental preservation is the duty of the private citizen or state-level entities remains a central tension in contemporary discourse. While individual lifestyle choices are not negligible, I contend that the scale of ecological degradation necessitates a top-down approach, as only governments and multi-national corporations possess the regulatory and financial mechanisms to enforce meaningful change.
The full Band 9 response, with paragraph-by-paragraph examiner notes, is part of Ted.Talks.DZ coaching.
The Trap → The Logic → The Fix
The Trap: Many students focus on "recycling" and "picking up litter" as individual actions. This is "low-level" vocabulary. It limits your Lexical Resource (LR) score because it stays in the realm of everyday chores.
The Logic: Examiners look for an understanding of scale. Governments control legislation; corporations control production; individuals control consumption. A high-scoring essay must address these different levers of power.
The Fix: Use the concept of "Systemic Change" versus "Incremental Change." Argue that individual action is ineffective without the infrastructure provided by the state.
Band-by-Band Breakdown
| Element | Band 6.0 Performance | Band 8.5+ Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis Statement | "In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my opinion." | "While individual advocacy is a necessary precursor to policy change, I contend that state-level regulation is the only viable solution for structural shifts." |
| Lexical Resource | Uses words like "big," "bad," "good," "help the earth," "stop pollution." | Uses words like "mitigate," "ecological degradation," "systemic," "legislative mandates," "prerequisite." |
| Cohesion | Uses "Firstly," "Secondly," "In conclusion" at the start of every paragraph. | Uses internal cohesion: "This perspective suggests," "In isolation," "rendered moot." |
| Task Response | Gives 1-2 simple examples like "recycling bottles" or "using buses." | Analyzes the mechanism of change (e.g., how carbon taxes change corporate behavior). |
More: all model answers · Task 2 structure guide
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