Real/Possible future: If governments reduce carbon emissions, climate change will slow down.
General truths with conditions: If we don't protect the ozone layer, UV radiation will increase.
Cause and effect: If ocean temperatures rise, sea levels will rise, threatening coastal communities.
Hypothetical situations: If we had invested in renewable energy decades ago, we wouldn't be facing this crisis.
Unreal scenarios: If everyone recycled properly, waste management would be far simpler.
Exam context: If you were an environmental minister, what would you do to stop deforestation?
Unless (= if...not): Biodiversity will continue to decline unless we protect habitats immediately.
Provided that / As long as: We can solve global warming provided that we transition to sustainable development models.
Mixed use: Air pollution won't improve as long as we rely on fossil fuels.
The scientific consensus is now overwhelming: global warming represents one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, have led to significant climate change that threatens the very foundations of human civilization. The carbon footprint of modern industrialised societies continues to expand, driven by our dependence on fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and production.
One of the most visible consequences of climate change is the sea level rise caused by melting polar ice and thermal expansion of oceans. Coastal communities already face increased flooding and habitat destruction that forces endangered species into smaller territories. Furthermore, changing precipitation patterns have triggered unprecedented drought in some regions while others experience destructive flood events. The disruption to ecosystem equilibrium is so severe that scientists warn we are entering a period of biodiversity loss comparable to previous extinction events.
The transition to renewable energy sources represents the most promising pathway towards carbon-neutral societies. Wind farms, solar installations, and hydroelectric systems can generate power without the toxic waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuels. Yet this transition faces obstacles including technological limitations, economic costs, and political resistance. The recycling rate has improved in developed nations, but ineffective waste management in developing countries perpetuates environmental awareness gaps and continued pollution.
Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a limiting factor for development in many regions. Climate change exacerbates existing challenges with natural resources, making sustainable development not merely an environmental imperative but an economic necessity. Urban sprawl and agricultural expansion continue to cause deforestation, destroying the forests that serve as carbon sinks and repositories of biodiversity. Conservation efforts through protected areas and international agreements show some promise, but they require substantially greater investment and political will.
Hope lies in reforestation initiatives, technological innovation in clean energy, and a fundamental shift in how we measure economic progress. If humanity embraces sustainable development models that prioritise ecological balance over short-term profit, we can still avert the worst scenarios predicted by climate models. The ozone layer, once thought irreversibly damaged, has begun recovering thanks to international agreements limiting air pollution. This success proves that coordinated global action can address environmental crises, provided we act with urgency.
Lecturer discussing climate change and sustainable solutions
You should say:
I'd like to talk about plastic pollution, which is an environmental issue I'm deeply concerned about. The problem is that single-use plastics — such as bags, bottles, and packaging — end up in oceans and landfills, persisting for hundreds of years.
This affects both my local community and globally. In my area, beaches are increasingly littered with toxic waste and microplastics, which harms endangered species like sea turtles. On a global scale, biodiversity loss in marine ecosystems is accelerating as animals mistake plastic for food.
The root causes are complex. Consumer culture encourages overconsuption, manufacturers prioritise cheap fossil fuel-based plastics over alternatives, and weak waste management systems in developing nations cannot cope with the volume. Additionally, the recycling rate remains abysmal because most plastics cannot be effectively recycled.
Solutions require multi-faceted approaches. Governments should ban single-use plastics and invest in renewable alternatives. Corporations need to adopt sustainable development practices. And individuals must reduce consumption and demand better conservation efforts. Some countries have shown progress, but we need carbon-neutral production systems and stronger international agreements.
📝 Band 8 notes: Uses topic collocations naturally (plastic pollution, single-use plastics, toxic waste, biodiversity loss, ecosystem, waste management, recycling rate). Structured well with causes and solutions. Shows critical thinking.
Question: "Environmental problems are too big for individuals to solve. Only governments and large corporations can make a real difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"
📝 250 words minimum
Environmental problems are indeed too vast for individuals to solve alone. While personal actions matter, fundamental issues like climate change and biodiversity loss require systemic solutions only governments and corporations can implement. However, this does not absolve individuals of responsibility; rather, they must demand action from those with greater power.
The scale of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming exceeds what individual choices can address. Transitioning away from fossil fuels requires large-scale infrastructure built by governments and corporations. A single household's carbon footprint reduction is negligible compared to industrial air pollution. Similarly, habitat destruction and deforestation are driven by multinational economics; individual purchasing power cannot compete with these forces.
Yet individuals possess collective power. Demand for renewable energy and sustainable development forces corporations to innovate. Public pressure compels governments to enact legislation. Consumer movements have improved waste management and recycling rates. The recovery of the ozone layer demonstrates that coordinated global action works.
In conclusion, while governments and corporations must drive ecological balance restoration through policies and investment, individuals catalyse this change through collective action and consumer demand.
📝 Band 8 features: Topic collocations used naturally. Clear position. Evidence-based arguments. Acknowledges complexity.
While governments and corporations undoubtedly bear greater responsibility, dismissing individual action overlooks the catalytic potential of collective consumer and citizen movements. Both macro and micro levels are necessary for meaningful environmental progress.
Admittedly, combating climate change demands large-scale intervention. Only governments can regulate greenhouse gas emissions through policy and mandate renewable energy adoption. Only corporations can overhaul supply chains to eliminate toxic waste and implement sustainable development at industrial scales. Individual carbon footprint reductions, though valuable, pale against industrial global warming contributions.
However, underestimating collective individual action proves shortsighted. Mass demand for renewable energy spurred innovation, reducing costs. Consumer pressure drives corporations toward conservation efforts and reduced water scarcity impacts. Citizen movements demanded reforestation and protection against urban sprawl. The success in restoring the ozone layer stemmed partly from public awareness.
The reality requires systemic change led by governments and corporations, but fuelled by informed citizens demanding action. Neither level alone suffices; synergy between all actors determines whether we achieve carbon-neutral societies and arrest biodiversity loss.
📝 Band 8 features: Nuanced position. Balanced argument. Strong vocabulary. Logical progression.