How to do IELTS Writing Task 2
- Read the instructions carefully. Decide how many parts there are to the question and underline them. Decide what your view is on the topic. (Allow between two and three minutes for this.)
- Quickly brainstorm some ideas and write a plan. Make sure you know how many paragraphs to write and what to put in each one. Decide what will go in your conclusion. (Allow between three and four minutes for this.)
- Write your answer, allowing up to five minutes to check it through afterwards. (Allow about 34 minutes for this.)
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Most people do not care enough about environmental issues.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model answer
It is certainly true that environmental problems should be taken seriously in order to prevent disaster in the future. Unfortunately, however, most people do not take this threat seriously enough and this is for a number of reasons. The following essay will outline why the majority of people do not care enough about the environment.
Perhaps the main reason people do not give the environment much thought is because at the moment it does not affect their daily life. This is because, generally, they cannot see how global warming or pollution is destroying the environment. It is only when a crisis occurs, such as flooding, that people start to consider the reasons behind it. However, these are soon forgotten and the situation is once again ignored.
Another reason environmental issues are ignored is that people do not know enough about them. Although it is generally understood that recycling helps to save resources, this is perhaps the only step people take to help the situation. Most people have heard of global warming and pollution, but do not fully understand the implications of them. If they did, sure they would use their car less and try at all costs to save resources more.
Many people also believe that these environmental problems will not impact society for another 50 to 100 years. Consequently, people feel these problems can be dealt with then by future generations.
Overall, therefore, whilst there may be some people who are fully aware of the environmental problems facing the planet, the majority of the population still do not give them the attention they deserve.
(265 words)