IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - Is carbon offsetting an effective solution to climate change?
IELTS.WORK Free Online Writing Practice # 1712265567
IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: "Is carbon offsetting an effective solution to climate change?"
Model Answer:
Carbon offsetting is a practice that allows individuals and organizations to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by funding projects that reduce or absorb an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. While this approach has gained popularity in recent years, it remains a subject of debate among environmentalists and policymakers. In this essay, I will examine the effectiveness of carbon offsetting as a solution to climate change, considering both its potential benefits and drawbacks.
On one hand, carbon offsetting presents several advantages. Firstly, it encourages individuals and corporations to take responsibility for their emissions by providing an avenue for them to mitigate the environmental impact of their activities. Secondly, carbon offset projects can promote sustainable development in less developed regions, such as the promotion of renewable energy sources or reforestation efforts. Lastly, carbon offsetting has the potential to contribute to international cooperation and commitment on climate change issues by providing a market-based approach that aligns with economic incentives.
On the other hand, there are also significant drawbacks to carbon offsetting as a solution to climate change. One major concern is the lack of transparency and standardization in the carbon offset market. This can lead to "double counting" or "leakage," where emissions reductions in one area are falsely claimed to have been achieved, while actual emissions continue unabated elsewhere. Additionally, carbon offset projects may not always deliver the expected environmental benefits due to issues such as project failure or lack of long-term monitoring and management.
In conclusion, while carbon offsetting has the potential to play a role in addressing climate change by providing incentives for responsible behavior and promoting sustainable development, it is not an effective solution on its own. A more comprehensive approach, including reduction of emissions at source and transitioning to low-carbon technologies, should be prioritized alongside carbon offset initiatives to ensure long-term and meaningful progress towards mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Overall score:
Band 7.5
Task Response: The question is thoroughly answered with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The response demonstrates an understanding of both sides of the argument and provides a well-reasoned evaluation of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is logically structured, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the topic. The ideas within each paragraph are coherently connected, using appropriate transition words and phrases.
Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used throughout the response, including synonyms and more complex expressions. Some less common terms related to the topic are also utilized, which demonstrates a good understanding of the subject matter.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a high level of grammatical accuracy, with few errors present. Complex sentence structures are used effectively to convey more nuanced ideas, and there are no significant issues with tense consistency or subject-verb agreement.
Presentation of Ideas: The response is well-organized and easy to follow. The main idea is clearly stated in the introduction, and each body paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the topic, contributing to a comprehensive analysis of the issue.
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