The TOEFL independent writing section examines the writing skills of the candidate through an essay. Candidates need to study the topic and write a response by giving their personal experiences, or relevant opinions. This TOEFL independent writing sample talks about whether humans have harmed the earth or made it a better place. TOEFL writing practice papers contain similar topics for practice.

Topic: Has Human Harmed The Earth Or Made It A Better Place?

Model Answer 1:

This is quite a prevalent question among people all over the world. Presently, this question is being asked by most news channels, newspapers, and also social media. While many people think that humans have made the Earth a better place but the remaining and most of the people, including me, think humans have made the Earth a dilapidated place.

Firstly, the fauna has been extremely sabotaged by humans. With every passing year, we get the news of any of the unique species dying out or already died out. Extinct species like the Tasmanian tiger, Steller's sea cow, Great Auk are some of the animals that have almost disappeared. Some animals are visible in the zoo only, as they have vanished from the forests. The humans have been plotting against Mother Nature and that is visible in the form of constructions, skyscrapers, and the vastness of cemented areas. All these spaces are created by forcefully capturing the residences of animals and birds. Deforestation is the factor that is driving the whole world into extinction. Still today, we notice people hunting for extinct species just to keep them as showpieces.

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Secondly, the rivers and streams have been immensely polluted by humans. When we were young we were able to drink water from the rivers, and streams. And now, there is no trace of cleanliness in the water flow. Even when people go to visit other destinations, the water, and the side areas are polluted by the people. The air condition in few areas has become so foul that the cases of lung cancer have risen. News recently had that people couldn’t see each other in the morning due to immense smog.

Lastly, the population on Earth is ever-increasing and to make place for all the people new houses need to be built. To make the houses new spaces need to be created, and that is only possible through cutting down trees and conquering the places of the animals. This will again lead to animals losing their habitats and dying.

All these reasons can prove that humans are the reason behind Earth’s destruction. If humans can mend their ways, there can still be some room for development. But the pace at which industrialization and globalization are increasing doesn’t seem to enhance the Earth in any way.

Model Answer 2:

Earth was created by humans, and it is they who have made the changes to it. Today where the Earth stands, it can be said that humans have for a prolonged period carried out different experiments and modifications to bring certain thoughtful evolution. It is true that it is again humans who have hands in destroying the Earth but they have also added to its beauty.

Firstly, we now have exceptionally built houses of different shapes and sizes along with state-of-the-art amenities that our ancestors couldn’t even imagine. The present-day farming is done by machines used to plant crops, synthetic fodder to feed the livestock, usage of water conservancy projects for generating electric power, and more. All these factors have made living on Earth a pleasant experience.

Certain inventions like the sound system include tape recorders, and in recent times we have a home theatre that gives us a real-time theatre-like experience. Then we have a modular kitchen that provides a hassle-free cooking experience, LED TVs that offer a mesmerizing view to our eyes, kitchen chimneys to save ourselves from the harmful fumes, vacuum cleaner to not tire ourselves by cleaning, and so much more.

Though it is true that humans are also responsible for causing damage to the environment. But conservationists and environmentalists are equally trying to save the world now. There are many campaigns running where people enroll themselves to save the environment.

Model Answer 3:

Over the past few years, the quality of life has improved because of the innovation of new technologies but the damage to the earth weighs more. Humans have damaged the earth in multiple ways like pollution, global warming, and depletes natural resources.

Firstly, the increase in the progress of transportation and factories has created a lot of pollution. Driving the pipes of waste tunnels into the river also creates pollution in natural resources. For instance, the numbers of buses and trains produce air and noise pollution which in return pollutes nature. Although the industries have provided employment to many people, the issue of pollution in the environment. Also, it has caused global warming which is a severe problem that nature is facing at present.

Also, the emission of carbon dioxide in nature has increased global warming. An unnatural weather change is a dangerous and most sensitive issue that the world is confronting now. For instance, global warming change has increased the temperature of the earth and also caused a hole in the stratosphere which allows the dangerous emissions of the sun to fall on earth. These harmful rays of the sun cause many skin problems to individuals and impact the photosynthesis rate of plants, if this issue of global warming doesn't decrease then it can create a colossal calamity to nature.

In conclusion, humans have harmed the earth for Shelter, enjoyment, food, and in comforting the basic necessities. Earth has gradually deteriorated nature through its behavior and advances in technologies

Model Answer 4:

Throughout the past few centuries, it appears to be that the rate of damage brought about by people has increased. In early times, enormous fires were the primary driver of human destruction to the climate. This is called slash and burn agriculture and it has been there for a long period as people have known about the fire. But the invention of plastic has accelerated the destruction caused by people. Presently we cause as much harm in a year as ancient people did in a century. Subsequently, the question isn't actually whether the humans are liable for the damage, yet whether it could be decreased in coming ages.

Another instance of humans destroying the environment is mining. After the mining procedure has stopped, a huge and ugly hole generally remains. Since numerous harmful metals are utilized in the mining process, the water around the mining sites continues to stay poisonous for a number of years. Industrial disasters like the ones that occurred in Bhopal, India, and Chernobyl are another significant reason for problems that were caused by humans. One more example is the nuclear disaster in Japan. They have been gathering all of the water from the flooded nuclear plant, however, they couldn't stop the leak. Soon they intend to dump it in the sea. 

These all are some general instances of human destruction to the environment. Apart from some wonderful old buildings that are probably going to vanish soon enough because of human-made pollution or war, there is almost nothing that humans have done to the Earth to make it a better place.