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

The debate surrounding the ethical implications of zoos has garnered considerable attention, with opinions sharply divided between those who advocate for their preservation and those who deem them inhumane and call for their closure. This essay will explore both perspectives while ultimately asserting that the prevailing deficiencies in the living conditions of many captive animals justify serious concern and a need …

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AI-completed learning example

354 words · Illustrative target band

While some people argue that zoos are inhumane and should be closed, I believe that they play an essential role in protecting endangered species and educating the public. On the one hand, critics of zoos argue that they can harm animals in several ways. Firstly, many zoos deprive animals of their natural habitats, which can limit natural patterns of behaviour. The case for closure begins with the conditions of capti…

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AI-completed learning example

357 words · Illustrative target band

Zoos play a vital role in our world, but the question of whether they should be closed has always been controversial. Despite concerns about the harm zoos may cause to animals, I believe they actually contribute to nature in various ways. Critics argue that certain zoos fail to provide animals with suitable living conditions, often in enclosures that prioritise visitors over animal needs. The case for closure begins…

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