The Question
Some people argue that nuclear power is the only viable solution to the global energy crisis and climate change. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
How to approach this question
State your position clearly in the introduction. Devote both body paragraphs to supporting your view with specific examples and reasoning. Avoid sitting on the fence - examiners reward a clear, consistent position.
Nuclear power's role in addressing climate change has become a polarising question in energy policy, with strong advocates on both sides. I partially agree that nuclear energy should be part of the solution, but strongly disagree that it is the only viable one.
The case for nuclear power rests on solid technical grounds. Nuclear plants generate large amounts of carbon-free electricity with remarkable energy density - a single plant can power millions of homes with no operational greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike solar and wind, nuclear generates electricity consistently regardless of weather conditions, providing baseload capacity that intermittent renewables currently cannot match without large-scale energy storage. Countries such as France, which generates around 70% of electricity from nuclear, demonstrate that a near-decarbonised grid is achievable with this technology at national scale. Proponents of small modular reactors argue that next-generation designs address historical concerns about safety and cost.
The case against nuclear as the exclusive solution is equally compelling. Construction costs and timelines for new nuclear plants have increased dramatically in Western countries, with projects in the UK and Finland running years late and billions over budget. Radioactive waste management remains an unresolved political and engineering challenge - no country has yet opened a permanent deep geological repository. Public opposition, exacerbated by accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, creates regulatory and political obstacles that extend timelines further. Meanwhile, the cost of solar and wind generation has fallen by over 90% since 2010, making renewables the fastest and cheapest route to decarbonisation in most geographies.
Nuclear should therefore play a complementary role alongside renewable expansion, grid storage investment, and demand reduction - not bear the weight of an entire energy transition on its own.
279+ words · Targets Band 7.5
Now write your own answer
Reading a sample answer improves your awareness. Writing one yourself - then getting AI feedback on all four marking criteria - is what actually moves your band score.
Practice Writing Task 2 →Some people argue that governments should prioritise investment in renewable energy over other forms of energy production. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
EnvironmentSome people think that individuals can do very little to reduce climate change and that it is governments and large corporations that must act. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
EnvironmentThe shift to renewable energy will create more jobs than it destroys. To what extent do you agree or disagree?