IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 – Economic Growth vs Environment
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Essay (Band 8–8.5)
Governments across the world face increasing pressure to balance economic expansion with environmental sustainability. While some argue that economic growth should remain the primary national priority, others believe that protecting the natural environment is far more urgent. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.
On the one hand, supporters of economic growth emphasize its role in improving living standards and reducing poverty. A strong economy allows governments to generate higher tax revenues, which can then be invested in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Developing nations, in particular, rely heavily on industrial growth to create employment opportunities and stabilize social conditions. From this viewpoint, strict environmental regulations are often seen as barriers that slow down progress and discourage investment.
On the other hand, environmental advocates argue that unchecked economic expansion leads to irreversible damage to ecosystems, public health, and long-term stability. Air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change are direct consequences of growth-driven industrial activity. These problems not only endanger future generations but also impose massive financial costs on societies through disasters, healthcare burdens, and food insecurity.
In my opinion, economic development and environmental protection should not be treated as competing goals. Sustainable growth, driven by clean energy, green technologies, and responsible production, offers a realistic path that satisfies both economic and ecological demands. Governments that fail to integrate environmental policies into their economic planning risk short-term gains at the expense of long-term survival.
In conclusion, although economic growth remains essential for national development, environmental protection is equally critical. A balanced strategy that prioritizes sustainable development is the most effective solution for securing both prosperity and environmental security.
Analytical Review – Strengths, Weaknesses & Improvements
- Fully balanced discussion with a clear personal position.
- High-level academic vocabulary: “tax revenues,” “industrial expansion,” “irreversible damage,” “sustainable development”.
- Logical progression: economy → environment → integration.
- Natural use of comparison and contrast devices.
- No concrete country-specific example is included.
- One paragraph relies on generalization rather than data.
- Add a brief real example (e.g., renewable energy policies in Europe).
- Insert one quantified impact (cost of pollution, disaster recovery, etc.).
- economic expansion
- generate tax revenue
- irreversible environmental damage
- public health burden
- sustainable growth model
- Insert one short data-based environmental statistic.
- Use one advanced conditional sentence (Type 2 or mixed).
- Add one subtle counter-critique of “greenwashing” policies.