IELTS Band 9 Essay About Natural resources such as oil timber and fresh water are being
Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “Natural resources such as oil timber and fresh water are being”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in March 2025.
Sample Essay (Band 9)
Natural resources such as oil, timber and fresh water are being consumed at an alarming rate.
What problems does it cause?
How can we solve these problems?
Natural resources such as oil, timber, and fresh water are being consumed at an alarming rate, leading to a range of serious environmental and societal problems. The depletion of these essential resources is contributing to habitat destruction, environmental degradation, and economic instability. However, there are various measures that can be implemented to address these issues and promote sustainable use of natural resources.
One of the most significant problems caused by the excessive consumption of natural resources is environmental degradation. The extraction of resources like oil and timber often leads to deforestation, which contributes to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystems. Additionally, the overuse of freshwater supplies results in water scarcity, which affects agriculture, industry, and human consumption. In many regions, the unsustainable exploitation of these resources leads to irreversible damage to the environment, making it difficult for ecosystems to recover.
Another issue is the economic instability caused by the depletion of vital resources. Many countries depend on the export of natural resources for their economic growth. As these resources become scarcer, their prices rise, leading to increased production costs and inflation. This economic pressure can have widespread social implications, as it may lead to higher living costs, unemployment, and poverty, especially in resource-dependent economies.
To address these problems, several solutions can be implemented. First, governments should enforce sustainable practices by regulating the extraction and consumption of natural resources. This can be done by introducing stricter environmental laws and encouraging the use of alternative, renewable resources. For example, the development of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can reduce the dependency on fossil fuels like oil. Additionally, promoting efficient water management techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and water recycling, can help alleviate water scarcity.
Furthermore, public awareness campaigns are crucial in encouraging individuals and businesses to adopt sustainable consumption patterns. Educating people about the importance of conservation and the long-term benefits of using resources responsibly can lead to significant changes in behavior. Finally, international cooperation is essential to address global resource depletion. Nations must collaborate to implement global strategies for resource conservation and share knowledge and technologies to promote sustainability.
In conclusion, the rapid consumption of natural resources causes severe environmental, economic, and social problems. However, through sustainable practices, public awareness, and international cooperation, these challenges can be mitigated, ensuring that future generations have access to the resources they need for survival.

Academic Vocabulary in the sample for Natural resources such as oil timber and fresh water are being
Environmental degradation /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntəl ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/
Sentence: Deforestation contributes significantly to environmental degradation, affecting air quality and biodiversity.
Irreversible damage /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl ˈdæmɪdʒ/
Sentence: Pollution of the oceans is causing irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.
Economic instability /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/
Sentence: Economic instability in resource-dependent countries often leads to social unrest and political turmoil.
Sustainable practices /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈpræktɪkəs/
Sentence: Many businesses are now adopting sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint.
Sustainable consumption patterns /səˈsteɪnəbl kənˈsʌmpʃən ˈpætənz/
Sentence: Encouraging sustainable consumption patterns is crucial to reducing waste and conserving natural resources.
Advanced Grammar Structures
Complex Sentences with Subordinating Clauses: “The depletion of these essential resources is contributing to habitat destruction, environmental degradation, and economic instability.”
This complex sentence demonstrates the ability to connect multiple ideas and causes, contributing to a more sophisticated argument.
Passive Voice: “The extraction of resources like oil and timber often leads to deforestation.”
The passive voice emphasizes the action of resource extraction rather than the actor, which is a formal approach suitable for academic writing.
Conditional Sentences: “If governments enforce sustainable practices, they can reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources.”
This first conditional sentence presents a potential solution to the problem, demonstrating the ability to discuss hypothetical situations and outcomes.
Relative Clauses: “Many countries depend on the export of natural resources for their economic growth.”
The relative clause (“which many countries depend on”) adds specific information and clarifies the connection between the resources and economic growth, enriching the explanation.
Linking Words and Phrases: “However,” “Furthermore,” “In conclusion,” “For example.”
These linking words help create a smooth flow between ideas, contributing to the essay’s cohesion and making it easier for the reader to follow the argument.
How these structures help achieve a higher band score:
Complex Sentences and Relative Clauses: The use of complex sentences allows the writer to present a detailed and coherent analysis. Relative clauses provide additional information that helps expand on key ideas, showing linguistic flexibility and depth.
Passive Voice: The passive construction is appropriate for formal academic writing, as it focuses on the actions and outcomes rather than the actors, maintaining objectivity and professionalism.
Conditional Sentences: The use of conditionals demonstrates the writer’s ability to speculate about possible solutions and their consequences, which is essential for a higher band score. It adds a layer of reasoning and analysis.
Linking Words: The use of linking words ensures the essay flows logically, with clear transitions between ideas. This contributes to coherence and cohesion, both of which are important criteria for scoring well in IELTS writing.
Formal Vocabulary: The choice of formal, academic vocabulary such as “environmental degradation,” “economic instability,” and “sustainable practices” contributes to the essay’s formal tone and shows a high level of lexical proficiency, which is crucial for a high score.
Free IELTS Sample Essays with Answers PDF
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