Real Article: The Ocean Doesn’t Lie
You’re walking along a beach in Okinawa. It should be paradise. But the tide has brought something else — plastic bottles, fishing lines, even an old shoe.
The ocean is speaking. Are we listening?
Over 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year. Marine life suffers: turtles eat plastic bags thinking they’re jellyfish, coral reefs become entangled in nets, and microplastics are found in fish — and in human bodies.
The ocean is our planet’s lungs, producing more than half of our oxygen. It regulates climate and feeds over three billion people. But pollution, overfishing, and rising sea temperatures are pushing marine ecosystems to the brink.
This isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a human one. The ocean doesn’t need us. We need it.
So next time you swim, surf, or walk along the shore — remember: the ocean remembers everything we throw at it.
Vocabulary Deep Dive
| Word | Synonym | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Marine ecosystem | Ocean habitat | ‘Ecosystem’ = full living system; ‘habitat’ = physical place |
| Overfishing | Excessive harvesting | ‘Overfishing’ = ecological collapse risk |
| Degrade | Damage | ‘Degrade’ = long-term erosion or decline, often of quality or condition |
| Sustainable | Eco-friendly | ‘Sustainable’ = supports future balance, not just short-term |
There — now you can use “marine ecosystem” and “degrade” like an academic pro.
Article 2: Plastic Seas — Why Clean-Up Isn’t Enough
Ocean clean-up projects grab headlines — but experts say they’re not enough.
The real issue is overproduction. Most plastic comes from land-based sources: packaging, clothing, bottles. Once it enters the ocean, it breaks into microplastics that degrade marine ecosystems and enter food chains. The cost is invisible — until it’s not.
Sustainable solutions focus on prevention, not just removal. Bans on single-use plastics, investment in biodegradable materials, and better waste infrastructure are essential.
But individuals play a role too. Every bottle skipped, every bag reused — it adds up. Change doesn’t just start with governments. It starts with habits.
IELTS Reading Test
- What are two environmental impacts of ocean pollution mentioned in Article 1?
→ Coral reef damage and fish ingesting microplastics - Complete the sentence:
“Marine ecosystems are pushed to the brink due to ______ and ______.”
→ pollution and overfishing - True / False / Not Given:
Most ocean plastic comes from fishing boats.
→ False - Multiple Choice:
What is one long-term solution mentioned in Article 2?
A. More clean-up volunteers
B. Ocean-safe sunscreens
C. Reducing plastic production
D. Teaching swimming
→ C. Reducing plastic production - Matching Headings:
- A. Root Causes of the Problem
- B. Damage to Wildlife
- C. Why the Ocean Matters
- D. The Role of Individuals
- E. Current Clean-Up Strategies
Suggested Answers: C, B, A, E, D
IELTS Speaking Challenge
Focus Vocabulary: marine ecosystem | overfishing | degrade | sustainable
Warm-Up:
- Have you ever seen ocean pollution firsthand?
- Should people change their habits to protect marine life?
- What does a sustainable ocean policy look like?
Band 6 Sample:
“Pollution is bad. Ocean is dirty now. People need to stop it.”
Band 7 Sample:
“Marine ecosystems are being degraded by plastic pollution and overfishing. While governments must implement sustainable policies, individual action is also essential.”
Speaking Frame:
“In my opinion, ______ threatens the ocean most. A more ______ approach is needed to protect marine ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future.”
There — you’re now equipped to discuss ocean protection at a high IELTS level.
IELTS Writing Challenge
Prompt:
Many people believe that cleaning up the ocean is the key to solving marine pollution. Others argue that prevention is more important.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 7 Sample:
“While ocean clean-ups can reduce visible pollution, they do not address the root causes of degradation. Preventive measures such as banning single-use plastics and regulating overfishing are more sustainable in the long term.”
Structure Guide:
- Introduce ocean pollution as a global issue
- Examine the role of clean-up projects (short-term relief)
- Present the argument for prevention (sustainable change)
- Conclude with your position: prevention is the key
Use These Words: degrade, sustainable, marine ecosystem, overfishing
There — you can now write a compelling, solution-focused essay on ocean protection.
Grammar Focus: “Cause and Effect” Linkers
Used to show consequences of environmental issues.
Examples:
- “As a result of overfishing, marine biodiversity is declining.”
- “Due to pollution, coral reefs have degraded.”
- “Consequently, human health is also at risk.”
Practice:
- Rewrite: Plastic enters the ocean. Fish eat it.
→ Because plastic enters the ocean, fish consume it and are harmed. - Try your own using:
- due to
- as a result
- consequently
- therefore
That’s Band 7+ grammar for academic logic and structure.
Rewrite Challenge
Question:
Should governments focus more on ocean clean-up or prevention?
Sentence Guide:
- Ocean pollution has reached crisis levels due to plastic waste and overfishing.
- While clean-up initiatives are helpful, they only treat the symptoms.
- Governments must focus on sustainable solutions that prevent pollution.
- In my opinion, prevention is the only way to protect marine ecosystems long-term.
Keywords: degrade, sustainable, marine ecosystem, overfishing
There — now you’ve got the frame and academic vocabulary to write a real IELTS Band 7+ response.
Final Reflection
✔️ You’ve just:
- Mastered core environmental vocabulary
- Read two high-quality, real-world articles
- Answered a complete IELTS reading test
- Spoken and written with structure, control, and vocabulary fluency
- Learned cause-effect grammar for logical flow
- Rewritten an argument step-by-step
To learn how to use academic tools like evaluative language — critical for IELTS essays, university research, and persuasive professional writing — join the full course.