What are the impacts of climate change on society, and how can we mitigate them?
Sample Response
Climate change, primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Its impacts on society are far-reaching and require urgent attention.
The impacts of climate change on society are manifold. However, one of the most visible effects is the increase in extreme weather events. These events, such as hurricanes and heatwaves, can cause widespread destruction and loss of life. Moreover, climate change is leading to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities with frequent flooding and eventual displacement. In addition, climate change exacerbates food and water insecurity, which can lead to conflicts and mass migrations.
Despite the grim outlook, there are measures we can take to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing our carbon footprint are crucial steps towards slowing down global warming. Moreover, building climate resilience in vulnerable communities can help them adapt to changing conditions and recover from climate-related disasters. On the other hand, addressing the root cause of the problem requires systemic changes in our economic and political systems to prioritise sustainability over short-term gains.
In conclusion, climate change poses significant challenges to society, but with concerted effort and systemic changes, we can mitigate its impacts. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard our planet for future generations.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use more direct wording Original: one of the most pressing issues of our time Suggested revision: an urgent global issue Why it matters: This replacement states the urgency more directly and concisely.
- 2. Correct the transition Original: However, one of the most visible effects Suggested revision: Among these, one of the most visible effects Why it matters: The sentence introduces an example rather than a contrast, so “However” is misleading.
- 3. Express the trend precisely Original: the increase in extreme weather events Suggested revision: the increasing frequency of extreme weather events Why it matters: The revision identifies frequency as the aspect that is increasing.
- 4. Clarify the causal link Original: with frequent flooding Suggested revision: through increasingly frequent flooding Why it matters: This wording connects rising sea levels more precisely to the growing flooding risk.
- 5. Use the standard collocation Original: migrations Suggested revision: migration Why it matters: “Mass migration” is more commonly used as an uncountable expression in this context.
- 6. Strengthen the reference Original: the Suggested revision: this Why it matters: The demonstrative clearly links the outlook to the impacts described previously.
- 7. Remove redundant wording Original: slowing down global warming Suggested revision: slowing global warming Why it matters: “Slowing” already conveys the intended reduction in pace, making “down” unnecessary.
- 8. Vary the additive link Original: Moreover Suggested revision: Furthermore Why it matters: This avoids repeating the same additive connector used in the preceding paragraph.
- 9. Use a logical connector Original: On the other hand, addressing Suggested revision: More fundamentally, addressing Why it matters: This point deepens the mitigation argument rather than presenting an opposing view.
- 10. Add the article Original: with concerted effort Suggested revision: with a concerted effort Why it matters: The singular countable phrase requires an article here.
- 11. Use plainer wording Original: safeguard our planet Suggested revision: protect the planet Why it matters: This phrasing is more direct while preserving the intended meaning.
Suggested Rewrites
- one of the most pressing issues of our time an urgent global issue
- However, one of the most visible effects Among these, one of the most visible effects
- the increase in extreme weather events the increasing frequency of extreme weather events
- with frequent flooding through increasingly frequent flooding
- migrations migration
- the this
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response is strongest in its clear structure and confident, largely accurate language, with the impacts and mitigation measures separated logically. Its main limitation is that, at 214 words, several relevant points remain asserted rather than developed, especially the mechanisms and practical implications of the proposed solutions. The priority is to extend one or two key ideas with specific explanation or examples while maintaining the concise organisation.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both parts of the question are addressed with relevant ideas, but the under-length response develops most points only briefly.
Explain how one major impact affects society and show concretely how one proposed measure would mitigate it.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses clearly through a focused introduction, two logically organised body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion.
Use contrasting transitions only where the relationship is genuinely oppositional and vary repeated additive linking.
Lexical Resource
A suitably broad and precise vocabulary handles climate impacts and policy responses with generally natural control.
Add more specific topic language when developing solutions so that broad phrases such as systemic changes become more concrete.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A varied range of complex sentences is used accurately, and grammatical errors are rare and non-impeding.
Refine the punctuation and phrasing of longer sentences to make already accurate complex structures even more fluent.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
What are the impacts of climate change on society, and how can we mitigate them?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.