Recently there has arisen a heated debate over whether zoos are necessary. People retain diverse attitudes towards this hot issue. Before presenting my view, I intend to discuss both sides of the argument.

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Advocates of zoos hold the belief that the benefits of zoos to any community are conservational, educational and recreational. To begin with, it is an effective way to preserve some rare animals and endangered species in zoos. It cannot be denied that the natural environment is no longer a suitable habitat for some species which are on the verge of extinction due to the deterioration of environment and hunting. Zoos help increase the population of endangered species and thus maintain the ecological balance. Moreover, zoos also serve as an ideal scientific research center where scientists can conduct experiments to find out the causes of some diseases that have been troubling animals and discover the cures. In addition, it is also possible that scientists breed more new species. Besides protecting endangered species, zoos play an important role in improving the public knowledge of animals. Animals in zoos keep people in touch with a more natural ^/ and animal world. Last of all, zoos are a place of entertainment and recreation. They are also a great tourist attraction which boosts the local tourism.

Some other people, however, are strongly against zoos for several sound reasons. Primarily, it is morally wrong to take an animal from its home, confine it in unnatural settings and use it for our entertainment. The nature of zoos reflects a worldwide human arrogance towards other species and fosters a disregard for all life. Furthermore, overcrowding and unnatural groupings of animals can create stress and lead to severe injury and even death and deaths from aggression； disease, stress and ill treatment are common. Worst of all, adults and children visiting zoos will be given the subliminal message that it is OK to use animals for our own ends, though it impinges on their freedom or quality of life； thus zoos will encourage poor treatment of animals more generally.

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In the final analysis, both sides have sound foundations. However, if asked to make a choice, I will not hesitate to assent to the latter. I believe that animals belong to their natural habitat in the wild and it is a breach of their natural rights to take them by force into captivity for our own purposes； therefore zoos should be discouraged.

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范文赏析：

1、 ； 文章采用了雅思议论文典型的等分式结构（COUNTER-ARGUMENT）。第一段开门见山，引出争议的话题：动物园有没有存在的必要？第二段和第三段对争议双方的论点和论据进行了详尽的阐述，最后一段总结，表明作者的立场。文章结构完整，论证全面客观。

2、 ； 整篇文章的关键部位均能较好地运用套句，为读者指明文章发展的方向，标黑体的部分为套句。恰当地使用这些佳句，一方面起到SIGNPOST的作用，同时使文章条理清晰，层次感强。