In the future, it seems more difficult to live on the Earth.

Some people think

more money should be spent on researching other planet to live, such as Mars. To

what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Band 9.0 Model Essay 1

It is true that, if present trends continue, it will become increasingly

difficult to sustain human life on Earth. While I agree that it is vital to
tackle this problem. I believe that expenditure on research for new planets
to colonise should be given a low priority, and resources must be used to
find other, more practical solutions.

There are two major reasons why life on Earth is becoming more and more
unsustainable. One obvious problem is the uncontrolled consumption of
natural resources, which are being depleted as a result. For instance, the
extraction of fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil to satisfy growing energy
demands has serious environmental impacts, and these resources
will eventually run out. Another concern is the rising level of pollution
worldwide, of the land, the oceans and the air that we breathe. In India, for
example, thousands of tons of industrial rubbish have been released
illegally into rivers, killing aquatic life and contaminating drinking water.

However, I would argue that the search for a new planet on which humans
could survive is a waste of valuable resources. Firstly, a vast amount of
funding would be required to finance such space exploration, with no
guarantee of success. This money is needed now to improve health services
globally and to provide better education for all. Secondly, financial
resources should be used to develop advanced technologies that would be
more environmentally- friendly and provide renew able energy. In the field
of transport, to take a simple example, vehicles can now be converted to run
on hydrogen or even waste cooking oil – as McDonald’s have done with
their trucks.

In conclusion, I consider that the search for new planets on which to settle
is a waste of time and resources, and efforts should be concentrated on
living more sustainably here on Earth.

Band 8.5 Sample Essay 2

Advances in technology make the prospect to find the second Earth
potentially viable. While I agree that terrestrial life has become increasingly
difficult, I do not believe that we should invest money in finding a new
planet to live. 

On the one hand, there is no doubt that life is not as easy as it was in the
past. The main problem is the growing level of environmental pollution that
adversely affects humankind in all parts of the world. The rising
consumption of natural resources such as gas, oil and coal has resulted in
an enormous amount of carbon emissions being released into
the atmosphere, which impairs the air quality and accelerates climate
change. The consequences of this are grave. People in many big cities are
suffering respiratory diseases; more lands are being shrunk due to the rise
of sea levels; and there are frequent heat waves in tropical countries.
Apparently, human life is now put in danger.

On the other hand, I would contend that spending money finding another
home for all creatures on the Earth is not an effective measure. There is
little hope of seeking a planet that has favorable conditions for life while the
expenditure can be extremely huge. In contrast, a much better solution
would be that we should invest in environmental projects and encourage
people to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. For example,
green energy should be harnessed and made more available to replace our
dependence on fossil fuels, and individuals ought to opt for public transport
rather than driving their vehicles. Such actions can cut exhaust emissions
and slow down the effects of global warming, making the
earth a more desirable place for us all.

In conclusion, although global warming is a global malady, it seems

ludicrous to suggest that people should find another planet to settle down.