Some people think it is acceptable to use animals for the benefit of humans. Other people think it is wrong to exploit animals for human purposes.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think it is acceptable to use animals for the benefit of humans. Other people think it is wrong to exploit animals for human purposes.

Acceptable use animals benefit humans wrong exploit animals human purposes - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 300 words.

The question of whether humanity is justified in using animals for its own purposes has long been a subject of ethical debate. While some argue that animals are a resource meant to serve human needs, others maintain that exploiting living creatures is morally indefensible. In my opinion, while certain uses are necessary for human survival, we must prioritize humane treatment and minimize suffering.

Those who argue that it is acceptable to use animals often point to medical and scientific advancements. For instance, testing life-saving drugs on animals has historically been crucial in developing vaccines and treatments for diseases that claim human lives. Furthermore, in many cultures, the use of animals for food, clothing, and labor has been a fundamental aspect of human development. Proponents of this view argue that as long as the use is practical and necessary for human welfare, it is a justifiable trade-off.

On the other hand, a growing number of people believe that the exploitation of animals is fundamentally wrong. This perspective is rooted in the belief that animals are sentient beings capable of feeling pain and suffering. From this viewpoint, factory farming, cosmetic testing, and the confinement of animals for entertainment are cruel and unnecessary practices. Activists argue that because humans have the intelligence to develop alternatives—such as computer modeling for drug trials or plant-based diets—we have a moral obligation to stop treating animals as mere commodities.

In conclusion, while the utilization of animals has undoubtedly contributed to human progress, the moral cost of their exploitation cannot be ignored. In my view, we should move toward a model where scientific necessity is the only justification for animal use, while simultaneously investing in ethical alternatives to replace practices that cause unnecessary harm. Balance is key: we must respect animal welfare while acknowledging our own survival needs.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional piece of writing that meets all the criteria for a Band 9. It provides a balanced, sophisticated, and logically structured response to the prompt with a native-like command of both vocabulary and grammar.

Task Response - 9

- Fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the justification for animal use and the ethical arguments against exploitation. - Presents a fully developed position that is clear, nuanced, and consistent throughout the response. - Main ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples like medical testing and factory farming.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Information and ideas are sequenced with perfect logic, showing clear progression from the introduction to the conclusion. - Cohesive devices (e.g., 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', 'From this viewpoint') are used naturally and effectively without being overused. - Each paragraph has a clear central topic that is developed cohesively.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. - Uses precise and uncommon collocations such as 'morally indefensible', 'sentient beings', 'mere commodities', and 'scientific necessity'. - Spelling and word formation are impeccable throughout.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- The writer uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and precision. - The essay is virtually error-free, with sophisticated use of complex sentences and perfect punctuation control. - Structures like 'while certain uses are necessary... we must prioritize...' demonstrate high-level grammatical mastery.

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