PTE Academic Write Essay · Advantages and disadvantages

Evaluating Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy Sources (Intermediate level)

A high-scoring sample essay with the plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and what the scoring traits reward.
  • 242 words
  • Advantages and disadvantages
  • intermediate
  • 20 minutes

The prompt

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of renewable resources in the context of modern society. In your assessment, which aspects outweigh the others? Provide well-reasoned arguments and concrete examples.

20 minutes. Write 200 to 300 words. A BandLadder practice prompt, not a recalled exam question.

Advantages and disadvantages

Plan before you write

  1. 1

    Position

    While renewable energy requires significant initial investment, its long-term environmental benefits and sustainability decisively outweigh the drawbacks.

  2. 2

    Paragraph 2

    The primary advantage of renewables is the drastic reduction in carbon emissions and mitigation of climate change.

  3. 3

    Paragraph 3

    The main disadvantage involves the high capital costs and the intermittency issues associated with weather-dependent power generation.

  • →Discuss the benefits and drawbacks requested in the question.
  • →One useful structure is a paragraph for advantages and another for disadvantages, with explanations or examples.
  • →If asked for your opinion or whether advantages outweigh disadvantages, give and support a clear judgement; otherwise summarise both sides.

Model answer

Sample essay

High-scoring sample242 words. Use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences: PTE flags memorised templates.

The transition toward renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, represents a critical shift in global infrastructure. Although this transition presents logistical and economic challenges, the imperative to mitigate climate change ensures that the advantages of sustainable energy far outweigh the temporary disadvantages.

The most significant benefit of renewable resources is their capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide and pollutants, renewable energy offers a clean alternative that helps stabilize global temperatures. For instance, countries like Denmark have successfully integrated wind energy into their national grids, significantly lowering their reliance on coal and demonstrating that a carbon-neutral economy is achievable through consistent technological integration.

Conversely, the primary drawbacks of renewable energy include the high initial expenditure for infrastructure and the inherent intermittency of supply. Solar and wind power are dependent on weather conditions, necessitating advanced battery storage systems to maintain a stable energy supply. For example, remote regions often struggle with the cost of installing sophisticated battery arrays, which can hinder the immediate adoption of green technology compared to traditional, on-demand power plants that rely on natural gas.

In conclusion, while the economic and technical hurdles associated with renewable energy are substantial, they are not insurmountable. The long-term environmental benefits, specifically the preservation of ecosystems and the reduction of climate-related disasters, make renewables a superior choice. Investing in these technologies is essential for modern society to transition toward a sustainable and resilient future.

Scoring traits

Why this scores well

This essay scores highly on linguistic range and formal register by utilizing advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures. The most common mistake on this prompt is failing to explicitly state which side outweighs the other, leading to a loss in content and development marks.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the essay

  • Intermittency

    The quality of being irregular or inconsistent

  • Mitigation

    The action of reducing severity or seriousness

  • Imperative

    A factor of crucial importance or urgency

  • Infrastructure

    The basic physical structures needed for operation

  • Carbon-neutral

    Having a net zero release of carbon

  • Expenditure

    The action of spending funds or resources

  • Insurmountable

    Too great to be overcome or defeated

  • Resilient

    Able to recover quickly from difficult conditions

See also the Write Essay guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a PTE essay be?+

Aim for 200–300 words in 20 minutes. The word-count bands award 2 Form points at 200–300 words, 1 at 120–199 or 301–380, and 0 below 120 or above 380. Zero Form means no points for the whole essay. This sample is 242 words.

What type of essay is this?+

Advantages and disadvantages. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks requested in the question.

What does PTE reward in the essay?+

This essay scores highly on linguistic range and formal register by utilizing advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures. The most common mistake on this prompt is failing to explicitly state which side outweighs the other, leading to a loss in content and development marks.

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