Zoos are Sometimes Seen as Necessary but Poor Alternatives - IELTS Writing Task 2

As human expansion continues to reduce wildlife habitats, zoos have become one of the most debated institutions in modern society. While some people regard zoos as essential for conservation, education, and scientific research, others argue that they are artificial spaces that compromise animal welfare. The IELTS Task 2 essay ‘Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but poor alternatives’ examines the key arguments both for and against keeping animals in zoos.

In this blog, we will look at model answers for the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay ‘Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but poor alternatives’. In addition, you will also find a comprehensive outline and a selection of relevant vocabulary, both of which are absolutely vital for those aiming to attain a top band score.

Essay Question for ‘Zoos are Sometimes Seen as Necessary but Poor Alternatives’

Outline for IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Below is an outline that will assist you in crafting an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay, similar to ‘Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but poor alternatives.’ 

Sample Answers for Zoos are Sometimes Seen as Necessary but Poor Alternatives IELTS Writing Task 2

Here are three IELTS Band 9 essay samples on the topic, ‘Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but poor alternatives’, that will help you write your own essay and achieve a high band score.

Zoos are Sometimes Seen as Necessary but Poor Alternatives - Sample Answer 1

While some people consider zoos essential for protecting wildlife and educating the public, others argue that they fail to replicate animals’ natural environments and compromise their well-being. This essay will examine both the advantages and disadvantages of keeping animals in zoos.

One of the most significant advantages of zoos is their contribution to wildlife conservation. Many species facing extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, and illegal hunting have been preserved through carefully managed captive breeding programmes. Well-known examples include the giant panda and the Arabian oryx, both of which were successfully bred in captivity and later reintroduced into their natural habitats. In addition, zoos play a vital educational role. By allowing visitors to observe animals at close range, they raise awareness about biodiversity and environmental protection. For children in particular, seeing animals in real life can inspire empathy and encourage responsible attitudes toward wildlife.

Despite these benefits, zoos are frequently criticised for limiting animals’ freedom and preventing them from expressing natural behaviours. As a result, many animals display signs of stress, such as repetitive movements or aggression. Large carnivores like lions and tigers, for instance, are naturally accustomed to roaming vast territories, and confinement can lead to psychological distress and reduced physical health. Moreover, not all zoos maintain high welfare standards. In poorly managed facilities, animals may suffer from inadequate space, improper diets, or a lack of mental stimulation, raising serious ethical concerns about the practice of keeping animals in captivity.

In summary, zoos offer clear advantages, helping to protect endangered species and promote environmental awareness. However, they also pose significant challenges, particularly regarding animal welfare and freedom. Therefore, while zoos can serve a valuable purpose, their operation must prioritise strict ethical standards to ensure that animals are treated humanely and with respect for their natural needs.

Zoos are Sometimes Seen as Necessary but Poor Alternatives - Sample Answer 2

The practice of keeping animals in zoos has long generated debate, particularly regarding whether artificial enclosures can ever replace natural habitats. While critics argue that captivity restricts animals’ freedom, others believe zoos play a valuable role in modern society. This essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of zoos.

One major advantage of zoos is their contribution to scientific research and wildlife conservation. In controlled environments, veterinarians and researchers can closely monitor animal behaviour, reproduction patterns, and health conditions. Such research has led to important medical breakthroughs, including improved vaccination methods and disease prevention strategies that are later applied to wild populations. In addition, zoos play a crucial educational role by increasing public awareness of wildlife protection. Through guided tours, information boards, and conservation programmes, visitors learn about threats such as climate change, deforestation, and illegal poaching. This exposure can foster empathy and encourage people, especially children, to support environmental conservation efforts.

Despite these benefits, zoos are often criticised for limiting animals’ natural freedom. Even with modern enclosures designed to resemble natural environments, zoos cannot fully recreate the complexity of ecosystems found in the wild. For example, large mammals such as elephants and big cats require vast territories to roam, which captivity cannot adequately provide. Moreover, ethical concerns arise when animals are kept primarily for human entertainment rather than welfare, particularly in poorly managed zoos with insufficient resources or outdated facilities.

In conclusion, keeping animals in zoos presents both clear advantages and notable disadvantages. Zoos contribute significantly to scientific research, public education, and the preservation of endangered species, yet they also raise ethical concerns related to animal welfare. Overall, with strict regulations and continuous improvements in living conditions, the advantages of zoos can outweigh their disadvantages, making them a valuable tool for conservation and education in the modern world.

Zoos are Sometimes Seen as Necessary but Poor Alternatives - Sample Answer 3

Zoos have been entertaining and educative for humans about animals for centuries. Although the containment of animals in zoos is an increasingly controversial topic, some argue that confining animals to their cages in zoos is necessary and healthy. The following essay will analyse both sides of this debate.

First and foremost, a zoo cannot retain a natural aura and environment for any animal to survive with its true instinct. Take lion for an example. The natural habitat for lions is thick grassland, unrestricted flora and fauna, and brush habitat, from dense forests to iconic savannahs, where they get enough cover for denning and hunting. The habitat also provides food and shelter for the animals that the lions prey on. It is challenging to recreate these ambiences where lions can get everything they have in the wild.

Regardless, zoos necessitate the preservation and maturation of endangered animal species. There are multitudinous animals ranging from various big cats to pandas, rhinoceros, gorillas, pangolins and many more that depend on zoos for their protection and safe breeding shelters. Unfortunately, those animals have been driven to the brink of extinction either by loss of their natural habitat due to rampant development and climatic change or hunted for their fur or alleged medicinal properties. Responsible zoos are tasked with breeding them to stabilise falling populations and then re-introduce them into the wild. Without zoos, many species would likely already have gone extinct.

To conclude, the zoo’s existence benefits the animal kingdom, but it is a rather lousy alternative to a natural environment.

Vocabulary to Use for Zoos are Sometimes Seen as Necessary but Poor Alternatives - IELTS Writing Task 2

Below is a list of IELTS vocabulary related to the topic ‘Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but poor alternatives’ that will help you improve your vocabulary and showcase your lexical resources.

To conclude, discussing zoos requires careful consideration of conservation needs alongside ethical responsibilities toward animal welfare. Therefore, you have to balance arguments, support ideas with examples, and use precise academic vocabulary to address both sides of the debate effectively for a higher IELTS band score. 

Useful Links:

• We No Longer Need to have Animals Kept in Zoos - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Animal Species are Becoming Extinct Due to Human Activities on Land And in Sea – IELTS Writing Task 2 Direct Question Essay
• Protection of Endangered Species/ Wild Animals - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Do You Believe that Experimentation on Animals - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some People say that Animals Can be Used in any Way for the Benefit of Humans - IELTS Writing Task 2
• Animal Idioms for IELTS Speaking