📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide: Should There Be a Global Tax on Carbon Emissions?
🌟 Understanding the Topic’s Importance
A global carbon tax bridges economic policy and environmental sustainability, addressing climate change’s core issue: the external cost of emissions. It challenges inequities while driving global cooperation in tackling one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
⏳ Effective Planning and Writing
- 🕒 Time Allocation:
- Planning: 5 minutes
- Writing: 20 minutes
- Reviewing: 5 minutes
- 📚 Preparation Tips: Note key data like emission statistics and international case studies to substantiate arguments.
✍️ Introduction Techniques for Essays
- 🔀 Contrast-Based: “While Sweden thrives with its $137/ton carbon tax, global disparities hinder unified action against climate change.”
- 💡 Solution-Oriented: “A global carbon tax represents the most straightforward solution to reducing emissions, yet its success depends on equitable implementation.”
📂 Structuring the Essay Body
- 🏆 Achievements: Highlight successes like emission reductions and revenue generation for green investments.
- ⚠️ Challenges: Explore inequity concerns and difficulties in achieving global consensus and enforcement.
- 🔮 Future Outlook: Suggest equitable mechanisms, such as allocating tax revenues to fund green initiatives in developing nations.
📝 Concluding Effectively
- ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “A global carbon tax offers immense potential but requires careful design to address inequities.”
- 🌍 Global Comparison: “As Sweden’s success inspires hope, Australia’s struggles warn of potential pitfalls.”
✍️ Sample Short Essays
- ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “A global carbon tax could unify efforts to combat climate change. However, its design must address the concerns of developing economies to ensure fairness.”
- 💡 Solution-Oriented: “Implementing a global carbon tax can drive innovation and reduce emissions. Differentiated tax rates could balance equity and efficacy.”
- 🌍 Global Comparison: “While Sweden showcases success with carbon taxes, Australia’s experience highlights political and economic challenges. A global approach must learn from both.”

