# PTE Essay #5: Environmental Impact of Bottled...

Write Essay #5 - Level 1 - Feeds Writing

> You have 20 minutes to plan, write and check an essay on the topic below. Write 200-300 words and answer the question exactly as it is asked.

Bottled water prevails because of its convenience. Yet, plastic bottles have also caused a lot of environmental problems, so some claim that bottled water should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with that?

## Answer

Bottled water is popular because it is easy to buy and carry, yet discarded plastic bottles now pollute streets, rivers and oceans. I agree with a ban only in part: bottled water should be banned wherever safe tap water is available, but a complete ban everywhere would be unwise.

The case for restricting bottled water is strong because its environmental cost far exceeds its convenience. Each bottle requires oil to manufacture and fuel to transport, and many are never recycled. Those bottles may remain in landfills or the sea for centuries, harming wildlife that swallows plastic fragments. In cities with clean public water, this damage is unnecessary, since a refillable bottle and public fountains offer the same convenience. Some universities and parks have already stopped selling bottled water and installed refill stations instead, with little inconvenience to visitors.

However, a total ban would be unwise because bottled water is sometimes essential. After floods or earthquakes, local water supplies are often contaminated, and emergency services rely on bottled water to prevent disease. Similarly, people in some rural areas still lack safe piped water and depend on bottles for drinking. Banning bottled water in these situations would put public health at risk, which is a far greater danger than plastic waste.

In conclusion, I agree that bottled water should be banned where clean tap water is readily available, because its convenience does not justify the pollution it causes. Nevertheless, it should remain available for emergencies and for communities without safe drinking water.

## Explanation

A high-scoring response effectively balances the argument by acknowledging the utility of bottled water while addressing the environmental crisis. It uses clear topic sentences to transition between the convenience factor and the necessity of sustainable alternatives or regulation.

## Hints

- Start by clearly stating your position in the introduction, whether you agree, disagree, or take a balanced view.
- Dedicate one paragraph to the benefits of convenience and another to the environmental damage, then conclude with a synthesis.

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