They say you don't have to be an expert to answer the questions in the IELTS Speaking test or to write the essay in the IELTS Writing test.
This is what they say and it is true. However, there are some topics which might require you to know something more about and to be able to form opinion, present ideas or give examples. The difficult aspect of such topics is not only the specific vocabulary, that you need to be familiar with, but also the concrete facts that you can use to support your point of view.
One topic that IELTS candidates often find difficult is Environment: problems, solutions, causes and effects.
In this Topic Lesson I will tell you about two of the biggest environmental problems. You will learn what exactly these problems are, how they affect us and what we can to decrease their negative impact.
This lesson will help you:
to understand the problems in details
to be able to form an opinion about their impact
to present some ideas about how they can be solved
to learn topic vocabulary
to learn some facts connected with the problems
to become more confident when speaking or writing about problems you are not an expert in
to think how you would answer questions on Environment which has been given at IELTS Speaking and Writing tests
I hope you will enjoy.
Problem N 1: Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
The greenhouse effect is caused by harmful gases known as greenhouse gases. By producing more greenhouse gases, we disturb the natural balance of the Earth.
What is a greenhouse effect
The Earth gets heat from the Sun. Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, which exist in the atmosphere, trap the heat and stop it from escaping. This is something good because it keeps our planet warm enough for us to live. The problem is that people are producing extra greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases come from all sorts of everyday activities, such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, producing electricity, heating our homes, or driving our cars. Because the amount of greenhouse gases is increasing, they trap more heat in the atmosphere and this causes global warming and climate changes.
Effects of global warming
The temperature around the world is getting warmer, the ice caps are melting and the oceans are rising. As a result flowers are blooming earlier, snow is melting sooner, rivers are drying, land is turning into desert. These climate changes cause other problems like spread of some diseases, more wildfires, droughts and fresh water shortage. Climate changes put entire ecosystems in danger and many plants or animals might become extinct in the future.
Who is affected
Greenhouse gases affect everyone no matter where you live because they don't just stay in one place after they are added to the atmosphere. As air moves around the world, greenhouse gases become globally mixed, which means the concentration of a greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide is roughly the same no matter where you measure it. Even though some countries produce more greenhouse gases than others, emissions from every country contribute to the problem. That’s why climate change requires global action from people, organizations and governments around the world.
What could be done
by the governments
Generate energy from clean and renewable sources like solar and wind power.
Support projects which promote the use of alternative fuel like biodiesel, non-fossil methane, electricity.
Initiate programs and projects that motivate people to walk, use bicycles, public transportation or carpool.
Raise environmental awareness among businesses, students and citizens.
by you, and me, and all of us
Save electricity.
Walk, use public transportation, ride a bike or carpool.
Vote for leaders who care about how we can protect the environment.
Keep your car in a good condition so it can produce less exhaust fumes.
Use alternative methods to heat your home.
Plant at least one tree in your life.
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Encourage your friends, colleagues and children to be environmentally friendly.
More ideas on how to do be eco-friendly and reduce your carbon footprint , here and here You can watch a video about the greenhouse effect here.
Now, that you have read about this problem, can you answer the following questions:
What do you do in your everyday life to protect the environment?
Is there something that you would like to do in the future?
Why do you think we should protect the environment?
Let me show you how I have answered these questions. But remember, this is me. Don't memorize my answers because you will be caught. :)
I strongly believe that protecting the environment is a responsibility of all of us, no matter how tiny or huge our efforts are. I have to say that I am not a member of any environmental organization, but I am trying to lead a more eco-friendly life. One thing that I do on a daily basis, for example, is that every morning, in my office I drink my coffee in a ceramic mug and I am trying to avoid using plastic cups. I am also trying not to use plastic bags when I go shopping. Instead, I have a cloth bag that I keep with me in my handbag. I often take public transportation and, when the weather is good, I walk or ride a bike. I am also trying to save electricity by turning off the lights when I don't need them or when I am out of the house. I almost never throw clothes away, instead I give them away to friends or charities. Very often I discuss with my son how we can protect the environment and I encourage him to be a responsible, eco-friendly person mainly by setting an example for him. I could say that I don't do anything exceptional to protect the environment but I believe my small efforts also count, so this is how I contribute to the environment protection.
There are a few things that I would really like to do in order to lead a more eco-friendly life. I am eager to get the opportunity to drive a hybrid car. Although these cars are not mass produced and they are more expensive, they use alternative fuel that is less harmful for the environment. Another thing that I could probably change in my routine is to start saving more water. If I have to be honest, I would have to admit that I don't turn off the tap when I brush my teeth and I like taking long showers. Finally, I guess I can also try to use less plastic and more natural materials as they decompose faster and are not harmful.
It might sound a cliche, but we have to protect our planet because this is our habitat. It is not enough only to be concerned about our private home, we should also be responsible about our global home, the place where our children and grandchildren will grow. And of course, we want them to grow in a healthy, clean and safe environment.
Problem N 2: Water Scarcity
Water is life. About 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water but only 3% of it is actually freshwater that is good for human consumption. Clean, safe drinking water is scarce.
What is shortage of fresh water
Today, nearly 1 billion people in the world don't have access to fresh or clean water and there are millions of people around the globe, including children, who spend a lot of time searching for it. At the same time in many developed countries water is wasted. Shortage of fresh water, also known as water scarcity, is the lack of enough water or lack of access to safe water.
Effects of water scarcity
Health problems: When people don’t have access to proper sanitation, various diseases are becoming much more of an issue than it would have been otherwise. Because people are constantly worried about this problem, it also causes mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Hunger: If there is no water to be used for watering the crops and growing fruit or vegetables, the population is starving. Insufficient water can also lead to the death of domestic animals, which will result in a lack of meat as well.
Lack of education: In many countries where water shortage is a growing problem, children don’t go to school as they are busy looking and providing water for their families.
Poverty: Water shortage leads to poverty as people who don’t have access to fresh water and spend a long time searching for it, live in difficult conditions.
Who is affected
It seems that water shortage affects mostly people in developing countries but in fact, this problem has a negative impact on all of us as water is the most precious resource to sustain life. Probably you’ve heard the saying “The future belongs to countries which have fresh water.”
What could be done
by the governments
Recycle water. There are plenty of technologies that allow us to recycle rainwater and other water that is used at home. The government should promote and invest in such programs and projects.
Use desalination which is a process of removing salt from the seawater and turn it into drinking water.
Use drip irrigation which is to use computers to calculate how much water the plants need and thus stop wasting the water resource.
Support clean water and water saving initiatives. There are organizations all over the world that are looking to bring clean water for people who need it. Such organizations should be supported financially or with know-how.
by you, and me, and all of us
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Check all faucets, pipes and toilets for leaks.
Don’t run the dishwasher or washing machine until it’s full
Plant drought-tolerant plants and grasses in your garden.
More ideas here on how to save water here
Now, that you know more about water scarcity, can you try to answer the following questions?
Record yourself on your mobile. Listen to the recording. Don't worry if you feel weird when listening to your voice, everyone does. Try again few more times until you are happy with the result.
Do you save water? Why? Why not?
Have you ever been in a situation where fresh water was not available? If yes, what happened? How did you feel?
Have you ever heard of any inventions that can turn unsafe water into drinking water?
Other big environmental problems that might affect the quality of our lives are:
Pollution
Overpopulation
Household and Industrial Waste
Littering
Natural Resource Depletion
Loss of Biodiversity
Deforestation
Ozone layer depletion
In this last part of this lesson you can see some questions about protecting the environment that have been given at the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests.
Think about how you can answer the questions of the IELTS Speaking test. Record yourself a few times until you are satisfied with the result.
For the IELTS Writing test, write an essay. Ask a friend to read it and give their opinion. Ask a teacher to correct it and discuss with them what can be improved.
And most importantly, don't judge your self too hard.
IELTS is a difficult exam and it takes some time to improve your skills. Just don't give up.