Model Answer – IELTS (Task 2)

Governments spend millions of dollars each year on their space programmes. Most recently, Mars is the focus of scientists’ attention. Some people think this money would be better spent on dealing with problems closer to home.

Do you agree or disagree?

Humans have been interested in discovering space and other planets for life sources for many years. This keen curiosity for the unknown has been coupled with the now pressing issue of the destruction of our planet and alternative places for us to live. As a result, governments and in particular the USA and Russia are quick to spend vast amounts of money yearly on space exploration.

There is a great deal of prestige associated with new discoveries and space missions. Take for example the space race to reach the moon and NASA’s recent findings on Mars which were broadcast worldwide. So in a bid to gain popularity, governments are competing with each other instead of combining their resources together and in this way reducing costs in training astronauts, paying engineers, accounting for failed missions, etc.

On the other hand, there are pressing problems to consider on our own planet. These have to do with social problems such as unemployment, poverty and hunger as well as environmental issues like global warming. Naturally, in order for these to be solved, governments are required to spend millions of dollars. In my opinion, immediate solutions are required for current problems rather than squandering large amounts on future programmes.

To conclude, our solar system is vast and exciting. Space programmes are necessary for a better understand of our life on earth as well the entire universe. However, our daily life on earth is clouded by severe and irreversible problems that require funding and effort to be solved. Rather than wasting the money on individual competitive space schemes, governments can collaborate to reduce costs.

Question from p.79 Grammar for IELTS

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