# PTE Essay #38: Human Impact on the Global...

Write Essay #38 - Level 3 - 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.

Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion?

## Answer

Some people argue that human activity is damaging the Earth, while others believe it has made the planet a better place to live. In my opinion, human activity has improved living conditions for people, but it has seriously harmed the Earth as a whole. The damage to the natural environment is the greater and more lasting effect.

Admittedly, human progress has made life far more comfortable for many people. Agriculture, medicine and engineering have allowed humans to grow more food, cure diseases and build safe homes with electricity and running water. For example, modern irrigation enables farmers to grow crops in dry regions that once supported very few people. From a human point of view, therefore, these developments have clearly made the Earth a better place to live.

However, these benefits have come at a heavy cost to the planet. Burning coal, oil and gas releases greenhouse gases that are warming the climate and causing more extreme weather. At the same time, forests are cleared for farmland, rivers are polluted by industrial waste and oceans are filled with plastic. The clearing of tropical rainforests, for instance, destroys the habitats of countless plant and animal species. Such damage also threatens humans, since we depend on stable weather, clean water and healthy soil for survival.

In conclusion, although human activity has raised living standards, I believe it is harming the Earth more than it is improving it. Our comfort today is often achieved at the expense of the environment and future generations. Humans must therefore use their skills to develop cleaner technologies and protect natural ecosystems.

## Explanation

A high-scoring response acknowledges the complexity of the issue by presenting a balanced view or a clear, well-supported argument. It uses precise vocabulary and logical transitions to connect ideas about environmental sustainability and technological progress.

## Hints

- Start by brainstorming three specific ways humans affect the natural world, such as industrialization, conservation efforts, or urban development.
- Organize your essay into a clear structure: an introduction with a thesis statement, two body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a concluding summary.

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