IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - Is climate change the greatest existential threat facing humanity?
IELTS.WORK Free Online Writing Practice # 1711519357
Task 2: Writing - Topic: "Is climate change the greatest existential threat facing humanity?"
Question: In what ways can climate change be considered as an existential threat to humanity, and how does it compare with other potential threats such as nuclear warfare or global pandemics?
Model Answer:
The world is currently grappling with numerous challenges that have the potential to endanger human existence. Among these, climate change, nuclear warfare, and global pandemics stand out as some of the most significant existential threats. This essay will examine how climate change can be considered an existential threat to humanity, and compare it with other potential threats such as nuclear warfare or global pandemics.
Firstly, climate change has far-reaching implications on the environment, ecosystems, and human societies. As a result of human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, the Earth's temperature is rising at an alarming rate. This leads to the melting of polar ice caps, causing sea levels to rise and displacing millions of people living in low-lying coastal areas. Additionally, climate change exacerbates extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods, which cause devastation to crops, infrastructure, and human lives. These environmental repercussions pose a significant threat to humanity's survival and wellbeing.
Secondly, nuclear warfare also poses an existential risk to the world. The use of nuclear weapons can lead to widespread destruction, causing immediate fatalities and long-term health problems due to radiation exposure. Furthermore, nuclear fallout has the potential to create a "nuclear winter" effect, which could disrupt the Earth's climate for an extended period, exacerbating climate change and causing further harm to ecosystems and human societies. The possibility of accidental launch or escalation of conflicts involving nuclear weapons is a genuine concern that cannot be overlooked.
Lastly, global pandemics are another potential existential threat to humanity. Diseases can spread rapidly across borders due to increased globalization and travel, as seen with the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemics have the potential to overwhelm healthcare systems, cause economic collapse, and lead to significant loss of life. Although medical advancements have helped in controlling previous pandemics, the emergence of new pathogens or antibiotic resistance could render current treatments ineffective, posing a significant threat to human existence.
In conclusion, while climate change is undoubtedly an existential threat to humanity, it must be acknowledged that other threats such as nuclear warfare and global pandemics also pose considerable dangers. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from nations and individuals worldwide to promote sustainable practices, strengthen international cooperation, and invest in research and development for new technologies and treatments.
Score:
- Task Response:
9 (The essay addresses all aspects of the question and provides a comprehensive response.)
- Coherence and Cohesion:
9 (The essay is well-structured and logically organized, with clear transitions between ideas.)
- Lexical Resource:
8.5 (The essay uses a range of vocabulary, though some less common terms may be unfamiliar to non-native speakers.)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy:
9 (The essay demonstrates advanced grammar with only minor errors that do not impact the overall understanding.)
- Presentation of Ideas:
8.5 (The essay presents ideas clearly and effectively, though some sentences could be improved for clarity.)
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