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Recent Exam Question:
In the future it will become more difficult to live on Earth, so more money should be spent researching how to live on other planets such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In IELTS Writing Task 2, candidates are often asked to discuss whether governments and organisations should invest money in researching how humans could live on other planets such as Mars, given the potential difficulties of living on Earth in the future. This to what extent do you agree or disagree question tests your ability to take a clear position, support it with reasons and examples, and use formal academic language. This post provides a detailed breakdown, essay planning, key vocabulary, and three high-band sample essays: agree only, disagree only, and balanced approach.
Question Breakdown
- Topic: Space exploration, future living, environmental challenges
- Task Type: To what extent do you agree or disagree
- Focus Areas: Spending on space research for other planets vs solving problems on Earth
- Task: Take a clear position and support it with two main reasons, examples, and a conclusion
Essay Planning
Option 1 – Agree: More money should be spent on researching life on other planets
Body Paragraph 1: Earth may become increasingly uninhabitable due to climate change, overpopulation, and resource depletion, so alternatives are necessary.
Body Paragraph 2: Space research and colonisation can drive technological advancements that benefit humanity in multiple ways.
Option 2 – Disagree: Money should be spent solving Earth’s problems instead
Body Paragraph 1: Investing in environmental protection, renewable energy, and sustainability is more practical than colonising other planets.
Body Paragraph 2: Space exploration is expensive and risky, with no guarantee of successful human settlement.
Option 3 – Balanced Approach
Body Paragraph 1: Researching other planets is important for long-term survival and technological progress.
Body Paragraph 2: At the same time, Earth’s problems should be addressed immediately to improve quality of life and prevent environmental collapse.
Key Vocabulary & Language Elements
Vocabulary: space exploration, colonisation, technological advancement, climate change, overpopulation, resource depletion, sustainability, renewable energy, long-term survival, environmental protection
Cohesive Devices: Firstly, moreover, in addition, however, on the other hand, therefore, consequently
Agreement / Disagreement Phrases: I firmly agree, I completely disagree, undeniably, it is evident that, contrary to this belief
Sample High-Band Essays
1. Agree Only
In the near future, living conditions on Earth are likely to become increasingly difficult due to environmental degradation and resource shortages. I strongly agree that governments and organisations should allocate more funds to researching how humans can survive on other planets, such as Mars, as it provides a potential solution to these pressing challenges.
Firstly, Earth may become less habitable due to climate change, overpopulation, and the depletion of natural resources. For example, rising sea levels and desertification threaten the livelihoods of millions, making alternative habitats a necessity for long-term survival. Investing in space research could offer a viable solution if Earth becomes uninhabitable.
Moreover, research into living on other planets drives technological innovation that benefits society. Developments in energy efficiency, life-support systems, and robotics for space exploration can also be applied on Earth, improving sustainability and disaster management. Therefore, such investment is both forward-looking and advantageous.
In conclusion, prioritising research on human habitation on other planets is a practical measure to prepare for future challenges and foster technological progress. Governments should invest significantly in space exploration alongside ongoing efforts to protect our planet.
2. Disagree Only
Some people believe that more money should be spent researching life on other planets due to future difficulties on Earth. However, I completely disagree, as it is more urgent and practical to address Earth’s problems directly before considering off-planet colonisation.
Firstly, investing in environmental protection, renewable energy, and sustainable urban planning can mitigate climate change, resource scarcity, and overpopulation. For example, improved waste management, solar energy, and reforestation projects can directly enhance living conditions for millions of people today.
In addition, space colonisation is highly expensive and risky, with no guarantee of success. Establishing a human settlement on Mars or another planet faces technological, financial, and ethical challenges. Therefore, it is more logical to use available resources to improve life on Earth rather than pursue uncertain extraterrestrial ventures.
In conclusion, although space research is fascinating, immediate attention and funding should be directed to solving Earth’s pressing problems. Governments should prioritise sustainability and practical measures over speculative projects.
3. Balanced Approach
There is an ongoing debate about whether resources should be directed toward researching human life on other planets or solving Earth’s problems. While exploring options for space colonisation is important for long-term survival, I believe that addressing current challenges on Earth must remain a priority, and a balanced approach is most sensible.
Researching other planets is vital to ensure humanity’s future survival in the event of catastrophic environmental changes on Earth. Space exploration also drives innovation in energy, robotics, and life-support systems, which can benefit life on our planet.
However, immediate investment is required to tackle climate change, overpopulation, and resource depletion on Earth. Sustainable technologies, renewable energy, and urban planning improvements directly improve human well-being and prevent environmental collapse in the near term.
In conclusion, a dual strategy is necessary: governments should fund research on alternative planets while simultaneously addressing Earth’s urgent challenges. This approach ensures technological progress and long-term survival without neglecting present needs.
Final Tips for IELTS Candidates
- Choose your stance (agree, disagree, or balanced) and maintain it throughout.
- Use two strong reasons in two body paragraphs for clarity and coherence.
- Incorporate examples and real-world scenarios to strengthen arguments.
- Apply topic-specific vocabulary and cohesive devices naturally.
- Demonstrating a balanced approach can improve task response and overall band score.
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