Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Predictions Nov 2026 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Governments often have to make choices about jobs, business and pollution. Some people say that economic stability and a clean environment in a country can be maintained at the same time. Others disagree.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Due to the government's immense responsibilities, some people believe it is hard to maintain economic stability and a clean environment in a country at the same time. While other's argue that, it is certainly possible if planned strategically. I completely agree with this view because giving grants to farmers who use green house method for farming saves environment pollution as well as creates job oppurtunities for farm helper.

On one hand, people believe that the government use solar energy to generate electricity and earn revenue from it while reducing carbon footprint by not using hydropower that degreades water quality from turbine and it's frequent maintainance. In developed countries, authorities are using hybrid bus for local transport which not only costs significantly less money to operate but also is a clean source of energy.

On the other hand, the government is clearing forests so that it can use that land and wood for building new houses. Due to this, global warming is at its peak and glaciers from mountain has been melting causing landslide in many regions of the world. In the name of urbanization, the government's act of deforestation is causing sever damage to the environment.

In conclusion, if the government wants economic stability and a clean environment it should focus on clean source of energy like solar and electric energy. Moreover, if deforestation is controlled and old vechiles that creates smoke is removed from market then it can also help maintain a clean environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a clear opinion that economic stability and environmental protection can coexist, and your suggestions about solar energy, hybrid buses and controlling deforestation are relevant. However, the discussion of the opposing view is not fully developed: the paragraph about clearing forests describes environmental harm but does not explain why governments might prioritise this for economic stability, such as creating jobs or expanding housing and industry. Your opening example about grants to farmers is also not developed later. The response contains 236 words, below the required 250; the nine words copied from the prompt are not counted. To strengthen the response, explain both sides more evenly and support each main point with a specific example and its economic or environmental effect.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting contrasting points, and a conclusion. Linking phrases such as “On one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help signal this organisation. However, progression within the argument is sometimes unclear. The first body paragraph moves from solar power to hydropower and then hybrid buses without explaining how each example supports economic stability as well as environmental protection. The second paragraph similarly shifts from forest clearing to global warming and landslides, with limited connection to the economic argument. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each example explicitly to the point it supports; this would make the overall progression more coherent and cohesion less dependent on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “economic stability,” “carbon footprint,” “urbanization,” “deforestation,” and “renewable” energy concepts. These choices make the subject clear, and some phrases show an attempt to use more specific language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, such as “green house method,” “degreade water quality from turbine,” and “old vechiles that creates smoke.” There are also spelling errors, including “oppurtunities,” “maintainance,” and “sever,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for standard collocations such as “greenhouse farming,” “damage water quality,” and “polluting vehicles,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help express the relationship between environmental policies and economic outcomes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a conditional structure in “if planned strategically” and a relative clause in “which not only costs significantly less money to operate.” Meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors occur across the response. For example, “the government use” needs subject–verb agreement, while “glaciers from mountain has been melting” has problems with number and verb agreement. In “old vehicles that creates smoke,” the verb should agree with the plural noun. The opening sentence also has an awkward clause structure after “believe.” Review agreement, articles, and the construction of subordinate clauses, then proofread each sentence. Greater control of these patterns would make your varied sentence attempts clearer and more accurate.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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