Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Introduction

a. Paraphrase the question

b. Thesis statement

Advantages

a. New source of energy

b. Economic growth

c. Infrastructure development

d. Meeting the increasing demand for energy

Disadvantages

a. Environmental impacts

b. Social problems

c. Long-term economic instability

Counterargument

a. Acknowledge the opposing viewpoint

b. Refute the opposing viewpoint

Conclusion

a. Restate the thesis statement

b. Summarize the main points

c. Provide a final thought

Sample Answer

Demand for gas and oil is increasing and so finding new sources in remote and untouched areas is a necessity. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Introduction:

The demand for oil and gas has been increasing rapidly in recent years, which has led to the exploration and extraction of these resources in remote and untouched areas. While this can provide new sources of energy and contribute to economic growth, it also raises concerns about the environmental, social and economic impacts of these activities.

Advantages

Exploring and extracting oil and gas in remote and untouched areas can have several advantages. Firstly, it can provide a new source of energy, which can reduce dependency on existing sources that may be limited or unreliable. Additionally, this can contribute to the economic growth of a country by creating jobs and generating revenue from the sale of these resources. Secondly, the exploration and extraction of oil and gas can lead to the development of infrastructure, such as roads, pipelines and ports, which can facilitate other economic activities in remote areas. Finally, the exploration and extraction of oil and gas can help meet the increasing demand for energy, which is essential for meeting the needs of a growing population and sustaining economic development.

Disadvantages

Despite the advantages, there are also significant drawbacks to exploring and extracting oil and gas in remote and untouched areas. Firstly, these activities can have severe environmental impacts, such as pollution, deforestation and habitat destruction, which can have negative effects on biodiversity and the climate. Secondly, the exploration and extraction of oil and gas can lead to social problems such as the displacement of local communities, loss of traditional livelihoods, and conflict over resources. Finally, the exploration and extraction of oil and gas can have negative economic impacts in the long run, such as a dependency on fossil fuels, volatile prices and an uncertain future.

Counterargument:

It could be argued that the advantages of exploring and extracting oil and gas in remote and untouched areas outweigh the disadvantages since these resources are essential for meeting the energy needs of a growing population and sustaining economic development. However, it is important to consider the negative impacts of these activities on the environment, society, and the economy in the long run. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between the benefits and drawbacks of these activities by adopting measures to minimize their negative impacts and promoting sustainable development.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while exploring and extracting oil and gas in remote and untouched areas can provide several benefits, such as meeting the increasing demand for energy and contributing to economic growth, there are also significant drawbacks, such as environmental degradation, social problems, and long-term economic instability. Thus, it is essential to strike a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of these activities by adopting measures to minimize their negative impacts and promoting sustainable development.

Task Response:

• The essay directly addresses the prompt by evaluating whether the advantages of exploring remote areas for gas and oil outweigh the disadvantages.
• The essay provides a clear and well-developed response to the question.

Coherence and Cohesion:

• The essay is well-organized and follows a clear structure, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the argument.
• The essay uses cohesive devices such as transitional phrases and pronouns to connect ideas and improve coherence.
• The essay uses clear topic sentences and supporting sentences to develop each paragraph’s main point.

Lexical Resource:

• The essay uses a range of vocabulary related to the topic, such as “energy security,” “sustainable development,” and “traditional livelihoods.”
• The essay uses appropriate and accurate vocabulary throughout, and avoids repetition or overuse of specific words or phrases.

Grammatical Range:

• The essay uses a range of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences.
• The essay uses a variety of verb tenses, including present simple, present perfect, and past simple.
• The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures, with few errors or mistakes.