Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-08
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
We no longer need to have animals kept in zoos, so zoos should be closed.
Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Some individuals think that institutions like schools should substitute old textbooks with electronic devices such as tablets and laptops. The driving factors behind this proposition are environmental sustainability and digitalization. I believe it is a positive development in the long run.
To commence with, the primary catalyst behind the notion is that it will be beneficial for the environment. To expound, since replacing traditional books will cut down the demand of the paper which is used for printing, trees would not need to be cut down to fabricate paper. Indirectly, this phenomenon will protect our fragile ecosystems by preventing deforestation.
Furthermore, opting for online education not only upgrades the students with computer skills but also prepares them to face the other aspects of life where everything is being digitalized. To exemplify, the student graduating from university and earlier studied in a school, both with an online education model, will have advanced computer skills, which equip him to secure a lucrative position in a company.
On the contrary, few critics may argue that by adopting this trend society will lose the desire to read the enormous collections of books, manuscripts, and literature which are present in bulk in our libraries. If the budding generation lose the concept of reading traditional books they might never learn how to read and cherish this hidden treasure. Therefore, they strongly advocate against the phenomenon of digitalizing education in schools.
In conclusion, although the digital revolution in schools might create unintentional ignorance toward valuable old literature, it is an environmentally friendly practice and is in harmony with developments in all other aspects of life, therefore in my opinion, it is undoubtedly a constructive development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 1.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 1.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for an opinion on whether zoos should be closed, but the essay discusses the substitution of textbooks with electronic devices in schools. As the response fails to address the task prompt entirely, it cannot be assessed for task achievement regarding the specific topic provided. In an actual exam, this would result in a score of 0 or a significant penalty for irrelevance. However, based on the language produced, the ideas are developed in a structured manner, but they do not relate to the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is well-structured with clear paragraphing and logical progression. The writer uses cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Furthermore', 'On the contrary', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the flow of ideas is logical within the context of the (incorrect) topic chosen. Referencing is generally clear, and the internal structure of the argument is sound, demonstrating a good grasp of how to organize an academic essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is quite strong and appropriate for an academic context. The writer uses a range of sophisticated items such as 'catalyst', 'expound', 'fabricate', 'lucrative', and 'unintentional ignorance'. There is a good awareness of collocation and style. While the topic is irrelevant, the lexical range displayed is sufficient to convey complex ideas with precision. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The writer demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures. Examples include conditional sentences ('If the budding generation lose...') and complex noun phrases. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and grammar and punctuation are generally accurate. While there are minor slips, such as 'demand of the paper' (should be 'demand for paper') and 'earlier studied in a school' (awkward phrasing), the control of grammar is consistent and supports clear communication throughout the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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