Writing
Environment
IELTS Writing practice: Environment
Climate change, pollution, conservation and sustainability — one of the most common IELTS essay themes.
Environment is one of the most frequently tested Writing Task 2 themes, covering climate change, pollution, conservation and the balance of responsibility between individuals and governments. The examiner wants a clear position, developed with relevant reasons and examples.
What to practice
- Plan a clear thesis before you write — decide your position on the prompt in one sentence.
- Build a precise topic vocabulary: "carbon emissions", "renewable energy", "conservation", "sustainable", "single-use plastic".
- Support each main idea with a specific reason and a concrete (even hypothetical) example.
- Practise paraphrasing the question in your introduction without changing its meaning.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing problems and solutions with no clear position — Task 2 needs an argument, not a summary.
- Memorised "environment" paragraphs that don't actually answer the specific question asked.
- Overusing dramatic language ("destroy the planet") instead of measured, precise claims.
- Running out of time on the conclusion, so the essay ends abruptly.