Question: Some people think zoos are cruel and all of the zoos should be closed. However, some people think zoos are useful to protect rare animals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 8+ Sample Answer:
(Intro) Nowadays, people have different views regarding the usefulness and role of zoos in society. While some support an elimination of these wildlife parks for ethical reasons, I feel they should be maintained for the resulting educational values and a diverse ecosystem.
(Body 1) On the one hand, keeping animals in confined areas may raise ethical concerns, which conflicts with the ideals of a humane society. For example, when a cub is separated from his or her parents and raised in an artificial environment, he or she could suffer depression. The fact that newly-born animals cannot live freely could lead to serious physical and mental developmental issues It is also worth noting that while some world class parks might be able to provide huge enclosures, most zoos cannot.
(Body 2) Despite the moral considerations, I believe that zoos are essential for protecting rare species and the environment. Quite different from the perception that zoos are brutal, zoos can play a significant role in the diversity of our ecosystem, providing shelter for endangered flora and fauna, saving them from illegal poaching or natural disasters, and helping them to breed and restore their population before being released into their natural setting. Pandas in China are a good example of this. In addition, zoos offer people opportunities to see rare and wild animals first hand, which they only know via media and entertainment. Being close to them, people may enrich their knowledge about many creatures, urging them to be more responsible for conserving the environment.
(Conclusion) In conclusion, many people propose shutting operations of all zoos for ethical issues, but these are eclipsed by their conservation value. However, governments should work together to agree legally-binding minimum standards for zoos and animal parks worldwide. (284 words)
Words: Student essay, corrected & upgraded by Nick Kemp, former IELTS examiner.
Image: Mordilla-net / Pixabay.