Environmental awareness and education have been consistently featured in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in approximately 15% of exam questions over the past five years. This topic’s significance in the role of public awareness in climate change mitigation makes it highly likely to appear in future tests.
Students engaged in environmental education class discussion
Sample Question Analysis
Some people believe that environmental awareness should be taught as a separate subject in schools, while others think it should be integrated into other subjects. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires candidates to:
- Examine two contrasting approaches to environmental education
- Evaluate the merits of each method
- Present and justify a personal stance
Model Essays
Band 8.5 Sample Essay
Environmental education’s implementation in schools has sparked debate regarding its most effective delivery method. While some advocate for its treatment as an independent subject, others favor its integration across the curriculum. This essay will examine both approaches before presenting my viewpoint.
Teaching environmental awareness as a separate subject offers several advantages. Firstly, it ensures dedicated time for this crucial topic, allowing for comprehensive coverage of environmental issues, from climate change to biodiversity loss. Moreover, specialized teachers can develop expertise in environmental education, similar to how importance of science education in schools benefits from subject matter experts.
However, integrating environmental awareness into existing subjects presents compelling benefits. This approach helps students understand how environmental issues interconnect with various academic disciplines. For instance, studying pollution’s effects can enhance chemistry lessons, while calculating carbon footprints can make mathematics more relevant. This integration demonstrates how how tourism can contribute to environmental degradation can be understood through geography and economics.
In my opinion, while both approaches have merit, integration across subjects proves more effective. This method reflects the real-world interconnectedness of environmental issues and helps students develop a holistic understanding. Furthermore, it prevents environmental education from becoming an isolated subject disconnected from daily life.
Students presenting environmental conservation project
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
People have different opinions about how to teach environmental awareness in schools. Some think it should be a separate subject, while others believe it should be part of other subjects. I will discuss both ideas.
Teaching environmental awareness as its own subject has some good points. Students can focus only on environmental problems and learn more deeply about them. Teachers can also plan special lessons about the environment without worrying about other subjects.
On the other hand, mixing environmental topics with other subjects can work well too. Students can learn about the environment while studying science, geography, or even math. This helps them see how environmental problems connect to different parts of life.
I think putting environmental topics in different subjects is better. It helps students understand that environmental problems affect everything in our lives. Also, students might find it more interesting when they learn about the environment through different subjects.
Scoring Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay Features:
- Sophisticated vocabulary: “comprehensive coverage,” “biodiversity loss”
- Complex sentence structures
- Clear progression of ideas
- Well-developed arguments
- Effective use of linking devices
Band 6.5 Essay Features:
- Basic but clear vocabulary
- Simple but accurate sentence structures
- Adequate development of ideas
- Some repetition
- Basic linking words
Key Vocabulary
- Environmental awareness (n) /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl əˈwernəs/
- Definition: Knowledge about environmental issues
- Example: “Rising environmental awareness has led to better conservation efforts.”
- Biodiversity (n) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/
- Definition: Variety of life in a particular habitat
- Example: “The rainforest’s biodiversity is under threat.”
High-scoring Sentence Patterns
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Complex Contrast:
“While some advocate for its treatment as an independent subject, others favor its integration across the curriculum.”
Structure: While + clause A, clause B -
Conditional Statement:
“If environmental education is integrated effectively, students can develop a more comprehensive understanding of ecological issues.”
Structure: If + present simple, subject + can/will + base verb
Remember to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments for feedback!
