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ECPE Writing - Sample Article (Banning Cars from the City)

This is the fourth sample article that conforms to the writing section requirements of the ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English) of the University of Michigan.  My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in the piece of writing candidates compose. Examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words,

C2 Sample Essay 10 (Energy Resources)

If you haven't already done so, before you read this sample essay please read

What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog?


Sample C2 level Essay

The following is a sample essay based on the Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) writing section. The question can be found on page 92 of the ECPE Book 1 Practice Examinations textbook published by the Hellenic American Union.







Governments are concerned about the depletion of the world’s energy resources, such as oil, gas and coal. How should governments deal with this problem, taking into consideration the needs of society and alternative energy resources?




          Subsisting on a planet whose resources are rapidly being depleted is an issue which has monopolized discussions and scientific research for the past half century, to say the least. Mankind is looking for new ways to continue manufacturing goods, heating and powering houses, all of which as yet have not become mainstream sources of energy. Solutions to this dilemma, however, become evident once the problem is analyzed.
            The crux of the matter is that the world’s resources are diminishing on account of two factors. The first of these is the ever-increasing demand for energy. Factories are producing more because demographics show an exponential increase in population on a global scale, which entails an increase in the energy requirements of each household. Added to this is the unbridled consumerism which has spread like an epidemic throughout the world through the barrage of advertisements people are exposed to on a daily basis, as well as the fact that more and more products today run on electricity. The second factor is the finite source of fossil fuels which has led to alternative forms of energy being considered. So far, regrettably, the latter have not entirely supplanted the former. Nuclear power is cleaner but more dangerous, as the Fukushima incident in 2011 proved, while alternative sources of energy are costly to build, not to mention that closing down businesses that have thus far dealt in fossil fuels would take its toll on the economies of nations worldwide.
            Based on these problems, the solution that manifests itself is twofold. First of all, demand for energy in all its forms must be reduced. In order to achieve this, governments must pass laws making factories and households become more energy-efficient, either through higher taxation for those who surpass a certain limit or tax deductions for those who install, say, solar panels or set up wind farms. Reducing demand also means not only keeping the growing population figures in check through education and the availability of contraceptives, but also campaigning against consumerism by having individuals think before indulging themselves in the latest cell phone just months after having purchased the older version.
The second facet of the solution focuses on the gradual transition from finite to renewable sources of energy. Allocating more money to research projects aimed at harnessing solar and geothermal energy, hydropower and wind power should become a priority, instead of wasting funds on military defense systems. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, tax incentives should be given to those who make their houses and factories energy-efficient, as well as to those who decide to establish businesses related to the production of alternative sources of energy. This last aid would generate jobs in this sector, making it gradually possible for employees from an oil company to transition to a wind turbine manufacturing company, for instance.
All things considered, though curtailing the demand for energy may seem a Herculean task, there are solutions regarding limiting consumerism and use of power in businesses and homes which could easily be implemented were governments to decide to act drastically. Unfortunately, fossil fuel companies still hold the reins, rendering politicians unwilling to pass laws in favor of renewable energy. Little do they all realize that change is eventually inevitable.

Word count: approx. 540 words

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