Plan this problem and solution essay about environment with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
People replace their phones, laptops and other electronic devices more and more often, creating huge amounts of electronic waste.
What are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
People are replacing phones, laptops and other devices more frequently than ever, producing huge quantities of electronic waste. This essay will examine the causes of the problem and suggest some solutions.
Several factors lie behind it. Manufacturers release new models every year and advertise them heavily, which creates a culture in which owning the latest device is a status symbol and perfectly working equipment feels outdated. Many products are also designed with a limited life: batteries are sealed in, parts cannot be replaced and software updates eventually stop, so repairing an item can cost almost as much as buying a new one. Falling prices make it easy to replace rather than repair. Finally, most consumers do not know how to dispose of electronics, and old devices end up in landfill or are exported to poorer countries, where they are often burned, releasing toxic chemicals.
There are measures that could reduce this waste. Governments can pass laws that oblige manufacturers to make products which are easier to repair and upgrade, to provide spare parts and to offer longer software support; the European Union has already introduced a common charger rule to cut waste. Producers should be made responsible for collecting and recycling old items, and shops could offer trade-in or take-back schemes. Public awareness campaigns can teach people to repair, donate or recycle devices instead of throwing them away, and tax incentives could make repair services cheaper. Consumers themselves can choose durable products and keep them longer.
In conclusion, electronic waste results from fast product cycles, short-lived design and poor disposal habits, but stronger laws, producer responsibility and more thoughtful consumption could reduce it considerably. This would protect the environment and conserve valuable materials.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| electronic waste | discarded electrical devices |
| planned obsolescence | designing products to become old quickly |
| throwaway culture | habit of discarding things |
| toxic materials | poisonous substances |
| landfill | place where rubbish is buried |
| extend product life | make things last longer |
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