Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The line graph shows carbon emissions from different sources over a number of years.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The graph illustrates 5 sectors responsible for varying levels of emission of carbon dioxide in the UK over a 30 year period.
Of the given sources, industrial combustion and power stations remained the highest throughout the period given, although both declined overall, with power stations falling from a peak of just under 60 million tonnes in 1980 down to just over 40 million tonnes in 2000 and industrial combustion falling from approximately 65 million tonnes down to less than 40 million tonnes.
Both domestic production of carbon dioxide and the category labelled ‘others’ showed relatively little change over the period, beginning and ending at roughly the same level of 25 and 12 million tonnes respectively.
The only source of carbon dioxide to show a marked rise over the period came from transport, nearly doubling from just over 20 million tonnes to nearly 40.
Overall, it is evident from the graph that where some sectors declined, others remained steady and one increased in emissions over the thirty year span.
(168 words)
Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
International air travel has a negative impact upon the environment and should therefore be restricted.
Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
There are many strong arguments to be made in favour of any measure aimed at increasing environmental protection, yet imposing limitations on flights may not be the best solution, as will now be discussed.
Primarily, although air pollution is a significant factor, reducing travel by air would not necessarily reduce travel. Instead, people would likely rely even more on motor vehicles, even for longer journeys. This could actually lead to higher rates of pollution. To illustrate, it could potentially take over 300 private vehicles to transport the same number of passengers as can be carried on one flight.
Another issue to be considered is that air travel, although undertaken for many reasons, is a common method of transportation for business people. Reducing the number of flights may result in fewer business trips, which could then lead to less business, especially at an international level. Although this may be advantageous for the environment in the short term, it would not be a positive move for the global economy in the long term.
However, it could be argued that reducing flights may encourage business to be transacted in different ways, especially with increasing technologies. Yet this must be balanced with the environmental impact of discarded and obsolete communication devices, which could arguably pose an equal or greater ecological risk.
To conclude, although there is an impact on the environment, restriction on air travel does not offer the most appropriate solution to the problem. The best way forward is not limitation but research into cleaner, more environmentally friendly ways of air travel.
(285 words)