In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
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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.
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