IELTS Writing Sample #2
We have lived in the nuclear age for over half a century. Since the first atomic bombs were developed, nuclear technology has allowed governments to destroy the planet. Yet, the technology has been put to positive use as an energy source and in certain areas of medicine.
To what extent is nuclear technology a danger to life on Earth? What are the benefits and risks associated with its use?
半个多世纪以来，我们一直生活在核时代。自第一颗原子弹研制成功以来，核技术让各国政府得以彻底摧毁地球。然而，核技术作为一种能源，在某些医学领域也得到了积极的应用。
核技术在多大程度上会危害地球上的生命？使用核技术有哪些好处和风险？
-请至少写250字。
-您应该花大约40分钟完成这项任务。
These days, many people are afraid of nuclear technology because of the dangers associated with its use. Although nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat to life, using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes carries some serious risks.
Nuclear power stations provide an important cheap power source for many industrialized nations and some developing countries. However, there is always the danger of radiation leaking from these plants. Even though safety precautions are taken, there have been numerous disasters, such as the nuclear plant accident in Fukushima a few years ago.
Nuclear technology is even used to help cure some diseases, such as cancer. Radiation can be applied to the body to burn away cancerous cells. This is, however, a dangerous procedure, and the application of radiation is almost always painful and not always successful.
The most worrying aspect of nuclear technology is its use for military purposes. Enough atomic bombs have already been built to destroy the planet, and the real danger is that some countries will someday start a war with these weapons. Too many countries now have the technology required to make such bombs, and there is much debate about controlling the situation.
In conclusion, nuclear technology certainly has positive uses but is dangerous. However, it would have been better if it had never been used to create nuclear weapons. Suppose life on Earth is to continue.
如今，许多人害怕核技术，因为使用核技术会带来危险。我认为，尽管核武器对生命构成最大威胁，但为和平目的使用核技术也存在一些严重风险。
核电站为许多工业化国家和一些发展中国家提供了重要的廉价能源。然而，这些核电站始终存在辐射泄漏的危险。尽管采取了安全预防措施，但还是发生了许多灾难，例如几年前的福岛核电站事故。
核技术甚至被用来帮助治疗癌症等疾病。人体可以通过辐射来烧掉癌细胞。然而，这是一个危险的过程，使用辐射几乎总是痛苦的，而且并不总是成功的。
核技术最令人担忧的方面是其军事用途。已经制造出的原子弹足以彻底摧毁地球，而真正的危险是，总有一天某个国家会用这些武器发动战争。现在有太多的国家拥有制造这种原子弹所需的技术，人们对如何控制局势争论不休。
总之，核技术当然有其积极用途，但也有其危险性。然而，如果核技术从未被用于制造核武器，那就更好了。假设地球上的生命将继续存在。
