Plan this problem and solution essay about science 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:
Many people ignore scientific warnings about climate change and other long-term risks.
What problems does this cause? 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
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Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Many people ignore scientific warnings about climate change and other long-term risks. This essay will explain what problems this causes and suggest some solutions.
The most serious consequence is delayed action. When governments and citizens postpone changes, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, making the eventual damage worse and the cost of dealing with it higher. Rising sea levels, droughts and extreme storms already harm millions of people, yet in some countries politicians avoid unpopular policies such as fuel taxes because voters do not take the evidence seriously. Ignoring warnings also leaves societies unprepared: cities that fail to build flood defences or improve water supplies will suffer greater losses when disasters occur. Furthermore, scepticism undermines trust in science, making it harder to respond to future threats such as pandemics.
There are several ways to change this. Education is important, and schools should teach children how scientists know what they know, so that they can recognise reliable evidence. Scientists and journalists should present risks in clear, personal terms, linking climate change to local problems like heatwaves and food prices rather than to distant statistics. Governments can use incentives to make responsible choices easier, such as subsidies for solar panels or electric vehicles, and rules that require companies to report their emissions. Politicians should also commit to long-term plans that continue beyond election cycles, as with the legally binding carbon budgets in the United Kingdom. Finally, social media companies could be encouraged to limit the spread of misleading claims.
In conclusion, ignoring scientific warnings causes costly delay, poor preparation and a loss of trust. Better education, clear communication, practical incentives and long-term political commitment would help societies take the evidence seriously.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| scientific consensus | broad expert agreement |
| long-term risk | danger in the distant future |
| climate sceptic | person doubting climate change |
| public perception | how people see issues |
| risk communication | explaining dangers |
| behaviour change | altering habits |
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