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This is my IELTS writing. Could you please check and give me some advice to improve it? Thank you very much.

We have been living in the nuclear age now for over half a century. Since the first atomic bombs were developed, nuclear technology has provided governments with the ability to totally 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?
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Nuclear technology has gradually played an integral part in many areas of our lives. Although this may bring some benefits, there are certain reasons explain why people should not rely on its use.

On the one hand, nuclear technology has provided effective solutions to some global problems such as: energy crisis, global warming or the medical research and treatment. In fact, nuclear power is a cleaner and more efficient source of energy as compared to fossil fuels. It can produce large amount of energy while emitting very little amount of greenhouse gases. In terms of medicine, by applying nuclear technology, doctors can early diagnose diseases and treat patients more effectively. For example, doctors can use X-rays to examine the most sensitive parts of the body in detail or they can use gamma-rays to kill cancer cells.

On the other hand, there are hidden dangers people needs to consider. Firstly, nuclear power plants always involve catastrophic risks during operating despite high security standards. If an accident happens, it would release large amounts of dangerous radiations with disastrous consequences for both human beings and the environment. Secondly, nuclear weapons are mass destructive weapons. Once being used for military purposes, they could indiscriminately incinerate people and destroy cities or even a nation. Furthermore, the impact of this on nature could last for centuries and generations. For instance, two atomic bombs which were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 instantly destroyed the entire cities respectively, killed thousands of people and caused serious effects until many years later.

In conclusion, although nuclear technology has benefits in certain areas of life, the disadvantages still far outweigh the advantages. The risks of nuclear technology should be taken into consideration when applying to life for any purposes.