Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth - IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay

The IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’, provides you the opportunity to state your viewpoint clearly. In this Argumentative essay, you need to mention whether the way people are consuming the earth's resources is sustainable or they must come up with solutions. With such a topic, your critical thinking skills will be enhanced due to which you can provide a definite reason and then present them logically. By practising such IELTS Writing essay topics, you will be able to address the question, make your ideas flow smoothly, use a variety of words, and be accurate in your grammar. 

Time Management Tips for the IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay, ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’

Writing an argumentative essay in the IELTS Writing Task 2  within the 40-minute limit can seem daunting, especially if the topic is unfamiliar to you. Time management becomes a crucial factor that will help you to plan, build solid ideas, and articulate your arguments effectively. The following table depicts easy-to-use time management techniques that will allow you to write with self-assurance and in an efficient way.

Question - IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay, ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’

Structure Breakdown for the IELTS Writing Task 2 Argumentative Essay, ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’

To score a higher IELTS Band Score on the topic ‘Today’s Children Are Living Under More Pressure’, it is very important to organize your thoughts. A well-structured essay can help you in your planning, provide a clear argument, and be strong in coherence. This will boost your scores in all four IELTS marking criteria where the following structure could be used as a guide to write this essay the right way.

Want to learn How to write an IELTS Agree-Disagree Essay in 10 Minutes? Check out the video below!

Sample Essay 1 on ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’

Recently, the demand for natural resources has risen dramatically worldwide due to population growth. Some people state that there is a lack of sufficient resources. However, some individuals disagree with this opinion and believe that ways to preserve natural resources will emerge with the advancement in technology. This essay will discuss the issues behind this phenomenon.

Firstly, continued economic development is negatively seen as a destroyer and corrupter of the natural environment and, consequently, the inadequacy of natural resources. While resource-augmenting technological improvements enhance productivity and result in fewer resource inputs, it is crucial to recognize that technology alone cannot be seen as a key to avoiding a resource crisis. It is stressed and agreed that the extraction of a unit of non-renewable resources damages resource availability, ultimately leading to exhaustion.

Additionally, absolute scarcity still exists because the amount of non-renewable resources available will decline with use. It has been concurred that the maintenance of the natural capital stock through renewable resource regeneration and waste assimilation is unlikely. It is due to this reason that manufactured capital is made from and operates on flows of energy and materials that limit substitution possibilities.

On the other hand, some individuals disagree with the perception mentioned above. The demands on natural resources will be lessened owing to improving technology. For instance, the developments of technology, such as electric cars, positively impact society. By using this, the consumption of natural resources can be lessened, eventually reducing the consumption of natural fuel. In my opinion, decreasing natural resources is a crisis. It harms society because even the human race won’t have a comfortable life anymore.

Overall, levels of natural resources are indeed going down. Still, it is no doubt that with advancements in technology, alternative methods will be used more effectively soon in the future, improving the economic and environmental standards.

Vocabulary for Sample Answer 1 on ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’

• Scarcity

Meaning – the state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.
Example – Currently, there is a global scarcity of water.

• Concurred

Meaning – be of the same opinion; agree.
Example – Everything concurred to produce the desired result for Henry.

• Crisis

Meaning – a time of intense difficulty or danger.
Example – Jack’s presence during the crisis had a calming effect on Rose.

• Consumption

Meaning – the action of using up a resource.
Example – Anna had no control over her consumption of wine.

• Perception

Meaning – the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.
Example – It is my perception that Charlie can be wrong sometimes.

• Assimilation

Meaning – the process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas.
Example – It took a while to understand that not all actions result in assimilation and accommodation.

• Impact

Meaning – a marked effect or influence.
Example – Hannah’s mom’s death had a huge impact on her.

• Crucial

Meaning – of great importance.
Example – Money will always be crucial in the heart of so many lives.

• Enhance

Meaning – intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
Example – I want to learn to enhance my inner beauty this summer vacation.

• Extraction

Meaning – the action of extracting something, especially using effort or force.
Example – The extraction of gold from the mine is a very tedious job.

Sample Essay 2 on ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’

It is a common view these days that the planet’s natural resources are a limit to economic growth. Such a notion that acknowledges the usage of natural resources and its linkage to economic growth can still be debated. I partially agree with this viewpoint and will discuss the reasons in the further paragraphs.

Firstly, people provide support to the ideology that only natural resources can be used to power up the economy. Many claim that fossil fuels can be replaced with even more power which leads to the nations creating industries. This, in turn, can keep the economy to the level where the country can use such resources for their consumption effectively. Secondly, even though governments may continue utilizing natural resources, the technological advances have allowed scientists to look for alternatives of such resources. For example, it has even been proved in the case of coal where no natural source is required anymore and many scientists are developing methods of producing this raw material industrially.

Nevertheless, natural resources are indispensable for the existence of an advanced economy. The history of wars reveals a different aspect of the issue where they have drained some natural resources from the earth leading to modern-day unavailability. To illustrate, the nuclear bombing of Japan in 1945 resulted in an extremely large area being rendered unfit for any human activity due to the contamination of natural resources. This would create hindrance not only for the economic growth but also for the livelihood of individuals in the future.

In conclusion, certain reasons might be cited in favor of the argument but the absence of such natural resources would have a negative impact on economic development.

Vocabulary for Sample Answer 2 on ‘Natural Resources to Sustain Current Levels of Economic Growth’

• Linkage

Meaning – A connection between two or more things
Example – There is a strong linkage between regular practice sessions and scoring well in exams.

• Power up

Meaning – to boost or increase strength
Example – The new strategy will power up the effectiveness of the project.

• Indispensable

Meaning – absolutely necessary or important
Example – Finding the reason for the failure of the new strategy is an indispensable step.

• Rendered

Meaning – made something happen
Example – Poor time management rendered his incomplete project proposal.

• Hindrance

Meaning – an obstacle
Example – Finding a new location can be a hindrance to the company.

• Cited

Meaning – Use it as reference or evidence
Example – He cited much research evidence to prove his point.

Regular writing practice would help you to build a strong foundation in the IELTS Exam. This increases your capacity to brainstorm ideas while making your paragraphs look more cohesive with a wider range of vocabulary and different grammar structures. Such varied practice prepares you even for unfamiliar topics by providing you with frameworks and supporting arguments that are appropriate. By diligently practising on a regular basis, your overall writing performance would improve.

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