Task 2 · · 17 samples

Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Zoos may support conservation through breeding programmes and care for animals that cannot safely return to the wild.
  • Captivity can limit animals’ movement and natural behaviour, while noise and visitor contact may cause stress.
  • A balanced position can distinguish entertainment-focused zoos from rescue centres or carefully managed conservation programmes.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the disagreement and state your own position clearly.
  2. Explain the strongest argument for zoos, using conservation or education as a reason.
  3. Explain the opposing welfare argument and its consequences for animals.
  4. Give your judgement, clarify any exception you accept, and conclude with a practical alternative.
Useful vocabulary & examples
breeding programme
An organised effort to help animals reproduce, often to support a threatened population.

A carefully managed breeding programme may help maintain the population of an endangered species.

animal welfare
The health, comfort and quality of life of animals.

Animal welfare should be central to any decision about keeping wild animals in captivity.

natural habitat
The place and environment where an animal normally lives in the wild.

Protecting a natural habitat can allow wild animals to live and reproduce with greater freedom.

return to the wild
To release an animal back into its natural environment when it can survive there.

Some rescued animals may be able to return to the wild after treatment.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

354 words · Illustrative target band

Some people believe in the indispensable significance of zoos in preserving wild creatures, while others disagree with this and argue that its benefit is incomparable with the suffering animals are under. From my point of view, I lean towards the latter despite the success of breeding programs at zoos. On the one hand, there have been claims that breeding programmes contribute to conservation. The case for closure b…

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AI-completed learning example

356 words · Illustrative target band

Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild creatures, while others say that they are inhumane and should be abolished. While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable. Those claims need to be judged against actual welfare conditions. The…

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