Regarding environmental issues, some people believe they are too vast for individuals to tackle. Conversely, others argue that these problems cannot be solved unless individuals take action.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Regarding environmental issues, some people believe they are too vast for individuals to tackle. Conversely, others argue that these problems cannot be solved unless individuals take action.

Environmental issues vast for individuals or require individual action - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 ยท 343 words.

In today's era of rapidly deteriorating environmental problems, people have different views as to whether individuals shoult take part to mitigate these problems, or they are too overwhelming for them. While there are certain difficulties for people to tackle these issues, I believe that they play a key role for any lasting solutions.

On the one hand, the argument that individuals are powerless is rooted in the scale of the crisis. Major environmental threats, such as global warming, industrial pollution, and the depletion of the ozone layer, are systemic issues driven by massive corporations and international policies. For instance, a single individual recycling their plastic waste has a negligible impact when compared to the metric tons of industrial sludge dumped into oceans by manufacturing giants daily. Consequently, many feel that without strict international treaties and enforcement by powerful governments, the sacrifices made by individuals are merely a drop in the ocean. From this perspective, reliance on personal virtue is an insufficient strategy to combat global crises.

On the other hand, the power of individual action should not be underestimated, primarily due to the collective influence of consumer behavior. Markets are driven by demand; therefore, when individuals consciously choose sustainable products - such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, or cruelty-free cosmetics - they force corporations to adapt their production methods. Furthermore, individual actions create a "ripple effect." When a person advocates for a greener lifestyle, they normalize this behavior within their community, eventually influencing local policies. For example, the widespread adoption of reusable shopping bags by individuals in many countries led to legislative bans on single-use plastics. Thus, individual initiative is often the precursor to systemic legislative change.

In conclusion, while it is true that individual effort cannot single-handedly reverse environmental collapse, I believe that dismissing personal responsibility is dangerous. Governments possess the legislative power to enforce change, but it is the collective will and daily actions of individuals that create the mandate for that power to be exercised. Therefore, solving environmental issues requires a symbiotic relationship between top-down policy and bottom-up individual action.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional response that demonstrates Band 9 characteristics across all four criteria. The argument is sophisticated, the language is natural and precise, and the structure provides a masterclass in logical progression.

Task Response - 9

- Fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring both viewpoints and presenting a clear, nuanced position. - Ideas are fully extended and supported with relevant examples (e.g., industrial sludge vs. consumer behavior). - The conclusion provides a sophisticated synthesis of the two sides of the argument.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Paragraphing is handled skillfully with a clear logical flow from the introduction to the conclusion. - Cohesive devices are used so naturally that they are almost invisible, ensuring a smooth transition between ideas. - There is clear progression throughout the essay, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct, well-defined topic.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Uses a sophisticated range of vocabulary (e.g., 'mitigate', 'systemic', 'negligible', 'symbiotic', 'precursor') with natural control. - Rare minor errors like 'shoult' (typo) are considered slips and do not impact the band score. - Collocations are highly natural and effective, conveying precise meanings throughout the text.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- Demonstrates a wide range of complex structures with full flexibility and accuracy. - Sentences are consistently error-free, showcasing sophisticated control of grammar and punctuation. - Uses advanced structures like '...is often the precursor to systemic legislative change' and '...requires a symbiotic relationship' flawlessly.

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