This document provides instruction on writing an IELTS Academic Task 2 essay on the causes and effects of climate change. It outlines the structure and content of the essay, recommending that students introduce the topic in paragraph 1, discuss causes in paragraph 2, discuss effects in paragraph 3, and conclude by summarizing and making a prediction or recommendation in paragraph 4. Tips are provided on using vocabulary to clearly express how some causes have more significant effects than others. For homework, students are prompted to write a 250-300 word essay answering the question: "What are the causes of climate change and what problems are expected to arise if it remains unchecked?"

1. © 2016 SkimaTalk, Inc.
SkimaTalk Official Course
IELTS Academic Writing
Lesson 9 : Task 2 – Cause and Effect

2. 2
Important!
• Write down your answer to the question on the next page and
send it to your teacher BEFORE the lesson.
• You should send the answer to your teacher using the
SkimaTalk Message feature (250-300 words).
Homework

3. 3
Exercise 1: Task 2 – Cause and Effect
• Climate change has become one of the most pressing issues that faces humanity.
• What are the causes of climate change and what problems are expected to arise if it
remains unchecked?
REMEMBER:
Underline key words in the question to help you identify which causes and effects the
examiner wishes you to discuss. Some problems, such as climate change, are very
complex and cannot be entirely covered in 250 words, so you must be selective.
Write at least 250 words.

4. 4
Tips to Answer: Structure
Paragraph 1:
Start by introducing the topic – paraphrase the question and elaborate on
it’s meaning.
Paragraph 2 and 3:
Use the first paragraph to describe the causes of the problem given in the
question (in this case it is climate change). Then, use the subsequent
paragraph to describe the effects of the problem.
Paragraph 4:
Finally, summarise the subject matter and make a prediction or
recommendation; will the effects get better or worse in the future? What
can be done to combat the problem?

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Tips to Answer: Vocabulary
REMEMBER:
Some causes will have more significant effects than others, try to reflect this in your
vocabulary.
Useful Phrases Example
To result in… Climate change has resulted in an increase in global
temperatures.
To lead to… This change has led to a rise in sea levels.
A variety of
negative effects…
Climate change has had a variety of negative effects on
humanity.
To contribute… Rising sea levels have contributed to a greater number of
flooding incidents in many parts of the world.

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End of Lesson
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