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IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - question on the impact of climate change on ocean circulation

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IELTS Writing Task 2 question on the impact of climate change on ocean circulation:

"It has been argued that climate change has a significant impact on ocean circulation. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Support your opinion with relevant reasons and examples."

Here's a model answer for this writing topic, along with a breakdown of the IELTS scoring standards:

"In recent years, the world has witnessed an increasing concern about climate change and its consequences. Among various aspects that are affected by climate change, ocean circulation is one that has drawn significant attention from researchers and policymakers alike. In this essay, I will discuss the extent to which climate change impacts ocean circulation, focusing on factors such as temperature changes, sea level rise, and melting polar ice.

Firstly, temperature changes in the Earth's atmosphere and oceans have been identified as one of the most significant consequences of climate change. The increase in global temperatures has led to a warming of the ocean surface layers, which in turn affects ocean circulation patterns. For instance, the Gulf Stream is an essential component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), responsible for transferring warm water from the tropics towards the North Atlantic. As the Earth's temperature rises, this critical circulation system may be disrupted, leading to unpredictable weather patterns and changes in ecosystems.

Secondly, sea level rise is another consequence of climate change that has a profound impact on ocean circulation. The melting of glaciers and polar ice caps due to rising temperatures contributes significantly to the increasing sea levels. This phenomenon can cause an imbalance in the pressure gradient between ocean basins, which may alter the strength and patterns of ocean currents. For example, as the ice sheets in Greenland continue to melt, it is anticipated that the North Atlantic circulation will be adversely affected, leading to potential climate repercussions worldwide.

Lastly, the melting of polar ice has a direct impact on ocean circulation. The decrease in ice cover alters the Earth's albedo, causing more sunlight to be absorbed rather than reflected back into space. Consequently, the rising temperatures further exacerbate global warming and affect ocean circulation patterns. For instance, the decline in sea ice coverage around Antarctica could lead to changes in the ocean's thermohaline circulation, which may cause disruptions in weather patterns across continents.

In conclusion, it is evident that climate change has a significant impact on ocean circulation, with temperature changes, rising sea levels, and melting ice caps being the primary factors contributing to these alterations. Understanding and addressing these issues are essential for mitigating the potential consequences of climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for our planet."

For this model answer, the IELTS scoring would be as follows:

- Task Response: 9 (The candidate fully addresses all parts of the question)
- Coherence and Cohesion: 9 (The essay is well organized and logically structured with a clear flow of ideas.)
- Lexical Resource: 8.5 (The vocabulary used in the essay is varied and appropriate, but there are a few repetitive phrases or words that slightly reduce cohesiveness)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 9 (There are no grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the essay.)
- Presentation of Ideas: 8.5 (The presentation is mostly formal and appropriate, but there are a few instances where informal language or colloquialisms appear.)

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