IELTS Writing Task 2 Exercises: The Challenges of Managing Waste in Modern Cities

Useful Vocabulary and Phrases

• waste management (n) – the process of collecting, processing, and disposing of waste
• recycling system (n) – a method of turning used materials into new products
• landfill (n) – an area where waste is buried underground
• household waste (n) – garbage produced by homes
• urban population (n) – people living in cities
• renewable materials (n) – materials that can be reused without harming the environment
• pollution control (n) – efforts to reduce contaminants in the environment
• waste reduction campaign (n) – a program encouraging people to minimize waste
• sorting facilities (n) – places where waste is separated for recycling or disposal
• environmental awareness (n) – understanding the importance of protecting the environment

Exercises:

Task 1: Write sentences from given cues. Make changes to the cues when needed.

1. Modern cities / struggle / waste management / because / rising / urban population.

2. Many countries / still rely / landfill / dispose / household waste.

3. Recycling system / need / improve / handle / renewable materials / more effectively.

4. Governments / launch / waste reduction campaigns / promote / environmental awareness.

5. Sorting facilities / help / separate / waste / before / recycling.

Task 2: Vocabulary list for fill in the blanks

waste management | recycling system | landfill | household waste | urban population
renewable materials | pollution control | waste reduction campaigns | sorting facilities | environmental awareness

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the list above.

Modern cities face increasing difficulties with (1) ____________ due to the rapid growth of the (2) ____________. A large amount of (3) ____________ ends up in (4) ____________, which leads to environmental problems and expensive maintenance. Although many countries are developing a (5) ____________, it is still not efficient enough to deal with all (6) ____________.

To improve this situation, governments must establish more (7) ____________ and promote (8) ____________ through national (9) ____________. Better (10) ____________ can also help reduce the harmful effects of waste on the environment.

Answer Sheet

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Task 1:

1. Modern cities struggle with waste management because of the rising urban population.
2. Many countries still rely on landfills to dispose of household waste.
3. The recycling system needs improving to handle renewable materials more effectively.
4. Governments should launch waste reduction campaigns to promote environmental awareness.
5. Sorting facilities help separate waste before recycling.

Task 2:

1. waste management
2. urban population
3. household waste
4. landfill
5. recycling system
6. renewable materials
7. sorting facilities
8. environmental awareness
9. waste reduction campaigns
10. pollution control