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IELTS Sample Essay -- Zoos (cruel or useful) (Discuss both views; give opinion)

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IELTS Writing Task 2 (Essay) Question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people think that zoos are cruel and all the zoos should be closed. However, others think that zoos are useful to protect rare animals. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


IELTS, essay, zoos, cruel, useful, rare animals

For a step-by-step guide on how to plan and write this essay, visit our YouTube channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZYptep42Go&t=115s


How to plan IELTS essays, zoos, step-by-step essay writing guide
Screenshot of planning of this essay from our YouTube video


Sample Essay #1 

(Using 3 points arguing that zoos are useful and 1 point arguing that zoos are cruel; Conclusion: conditionally agree with the opinion that zoos are useful)

Visit to a zoo is part of fond childhood memories of almost everyone. Yet, it has become a contentious subject in recent years whether zoos serve an overall positive purpose. Since there seem to be valid supporting arguments for both perspectives, this essay will discuss them and reach a logical conclusion based on the presented line of reasoning.

Firstly, these establishments provide a safe place for wild animals from poachers and other risks. This is especially crucial for rare and endangered species. For example, tigers and pandas are kept in different zoos across the globe because of which their numbers have grown manifold over the years. Secondly, these zoological parks are needed by researchers and scientists to study animals. Lastly, menageries, such as zoos, are an ideal location for edutainment. That is to say, these establishments are not only an ideal source of entertainment for people of all age groups but they are also a way to impart education to children regarding animals. As a result of visit to such places, children may feel an affinity towards animals. What is more, zoos are a brilliant means of creating awareness about environmental issues.

On the other hand, those who oppose zoos and want them to be closed assert that animals are not treated well in zoos. These animals are caged in confined spaces. The cages and enclosures are tiny compared to the natural habitat of these animals. For instance, a tiger which is one of the fastest animals is sometimes kept in small cages. Similarly, monkeys which can jump from one tree to another in seconds are at times confined to a small area with just 2-3 trees.

In conclusion, my opinion is that zoos have many benefits which have been proven over the years and they should certainly not be closed. We should, however, ensure that the animals in zoos have larger spaces where they can move about.


Sample Essay #2 

(Using 3 points arguing that zoos are useful and 3 points arguing that zoos are cruel; Conclusion: zoos are cruel)

(first two paragraphs are almost the same as the previous essay)

Visit to a zoo is part of fond childhood memories of almost everyone. Yet, it has become a contentious subject in recent years whether zoos serve an overall positive purpose. Since there seem to be valid supporting arguments for both perspectives, this essay will discuss them and reach a logical conclusion based on the presented line of reasoning.

Firstly, these establishments provide a safe place for wild animals from poachers and other risks. This is especially crucial for rare and endangered species. For example, tigers and pandas are kept in different zoos across the globe because of which their numbers have grown manifold over the years. Secondly, these zoological parks are needed by researchers and scientists to study animals. Lastly, menageries, such as zoos, are an ideal location for edutainment. That is to say, these establishments are not only an ideal source of entertainment for people of all age groups but they are also a way to impart education to children regarding animals. As a result of visits to such places, children may feel an affinity towards animals. What is more, zoos are a brilliant means of creating awareness about environmental issues.

On the other hand, it is necessary to accept that no creature should be treated as if it is for the entertainment of humankind. Hence, the treatment of wild animals in zoos has to be considered as brutal as their freedom is hampered. What is worse, the animals bred in captivity are incapable of adapting to the wild environment and thus can never be released into the wild. For instance, if a chimpanzee is born in a zoo environment, it would never be able to live in a forest. This chimpanzee would not know how to live with other wild animals or find food for itself.

In conclusion, although it seems that there are quite a few positives of zoos, I strongly believe they are an atrocity and closing is the only ethical recourse.

Sample Essay #3

(Using 3 points arguing that zoos are useful and 3 points arguing that zoos are cruel; Conclusion: zoos are cruel + alternatives to benefits of zoos)

(first three paragraphs are almost the same as the previous essay)

Visit to a zoo is part of fond childhood memories of almost everyone. Yet, it has become a contentious subject in recent years whether zoos serve an overall positive purpose. Since there seem to be valid supporting arguments for both perspectives, this essay will discuss them and reach a logical conclusion based on the presented line of reasoning.

Firstly, these establishments provide a safe place for wild animals from poachers and other risks. This is especially crucial for rare and endangered species. For example, tigers and pandas are kept in different zoos across the globe because of which their numbers have grown manifold over the years. Secondly, these zoological parks are needed by researchers and scientists to study animals. Lastly, menageries, such as zoos, are an ideal location for edutainment. That is to say, these establishments are not only an ideal source of entertainment for people of all age groups but they are also a way to impart education to children regarding animals. As a result of visits to such places, children may feel an affinity towards animals. What is more, zoos are a brilliant means of creating awareness about environmental issues.

On the other hand, it is necessary to accept that no creature should be treated as if it is for the entertainment of humankind. Hence, the treatment of wild animals in zoos has to be considered as brutal as their freedom is hampered. What is worse, the animals bred in captivity are incapable of adapting to the wild environment and thus can never be released into the wild. For instance, if a chimpanzee is born in a zoo environment, it would never be able to live in a forest. This chimpanzee would not know how to live with other wild animals or find food for itself.

In conclusion, although it seems that there are quite a few positives of zoos, I strongly believe they are an atrocity and closing them is the only ethical recourse. As far as education is concerned, we now have a wide range of audio-visual media for this purpose. A practical example of this is the fact that no child has ever seen a dinosaur but through movies, documentaries, animations, and museums, they are very familiar with these extinct creatures. Similarly, for research and conservation purposes, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks should be encouraged where the focus is the well-being of the animals and not the amusement of human visitors.


Different ways of writing the first paragraph for this essay

  1. Visit to a zoo is part of fond childhood memories of almost everyone. Yet, it has become a contentious subject in recent years whether zoos serve an overall positive purpose.

  2. Zoos are looked upon as an important source of edutainment where children can acquire knowledge of a variety of flora and fauna in an entertaining environment. However, in recent times, animal rights activists have raised a question over whether these zoos are in reality proof of cruelty to animals by us humans.

  3. Since humans are a curious race, they find different means to know about nature. One such method is to visit a zoo and observe animals in a leisurely manner. The problem is that not everyone agrees that zoos are beneficial. Actually, certain sections of society believe zoos to be establishments of cruelty towards the animals which are kept there.

  4. Should zoos be encouraged because they serve a useful purpose or should they be shut down because animals in zoos are treated inhumanely? This has become a contentious subject in recent times which deserves serious thought and discussion.

 

Different ways of writing the topic sentence (first sentence of second paragraph) for this essay

  1. There are many ways through which zoos are beneficial.
  2. The useful impact of zoos have long been known.
  3. The useful benefits of zoos have long been known.
  4. Many past generations have advocated the benefits of zoos.
  5. There are a number of useful applications of zoos.

Different ways of writing the conclusion for this essay

  1. Conditionally agree
    Both sides have valid arguments in their favour because of which, in my opinion, zoos are important but we need to ensure that the animals there are treated humanely.

  2. More points for one side than the other

    Although there are a few reasons to support the closing of zoos, the arguments for the benefits of zoos are more. Therefore, in my opinion, zoos are helpful to society and should remain open. However, it should be ensured that the animals in zoos are treated humanely.
     

Writing steps to follow:

Step 1: Read & understand the question

Step 2: Plan the answer (points for both views)

Step 3: Think about the vocabulary

Step 4: Write

Step 5: Revise

Basic format/template:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

•       General statement (optional)

•       Paraphrasing of the question

•       This essay will discuss both the opinions before reaching a conclusion based on the arguments presented.

Paragraph 2 (body paragraph 1): Discuss one viewpoint

•       Topic sentence (E.g., There are a number of reasons to support this opinion)

•       Beginning phrases (Firstly/To begin with); Supporting points (Secondly/Thirdly; Moreover/Furthermore)

Paragraph 3 (body paragraph 2): Discuss the other viewpoint

•       Topic sentence (E.g., On the other hand, the opposing viewpoint can also have valid supporting arguments)

•       Supporting points

Paragraph 4: Conclusion


zoos, synonyms, vocabulary
Vocabulary planning (step 3 of essay writing) (Screenshot from the YouTube video--link in the beginning of this post)


- For more IELTS Writing content, click here
- For IELTS Speaking content, click here
- For vocabulary on zoos, click here


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