Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-13

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 6.5)

Every living organism has its own right to live its life according to them. The idea of closing the zoos arise from the fact that animals are kept far from their natural habitats. I partially agree with this concept because it is also a part of education for young children.

To begin with the harsh reality of the zoos, animals are being kept in the cages for years and are surviving on low diets as well. They were given calculated food just for their survival, due to which some animals like lions, Tigers are losing their natural skills of predating. These animals are eradicated from their naturals habitats. For instance, birds species, which meant to fly high in the sky are now limited to their cages only. Poor feed like rotten meat and unfresh feed is being provided to them by the care-takers which is a very cruel practice.

On the other hand, zoo could be a great place for the education of young adults and researchers as well. Children can have a close look of real animals and can feel the real presence of big animls like Elephants, rhinos, zebra and many more. In addition to this, it is a great place for the researchers who are studying on the behavior of different species of the birds and animals. For instance, A zoo in the South America is working on the animals who are very close to their extinction and trying to increase their numbers so that they will not disappear in the near future.

The real problem is not the place where we keep them but are the habit and environment which we provide them. Instead of keeping animals in cages, a natural habitat should be provided to them.

In conclusion, I would like to restate that closing zoos is not a good approach but little changes in their environment could result in better way.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the task by providing a clear position and supporting arguments for both sides. Your introduction establishes a partial agreement, and the body paragraphs explore the negative aspects of zoos alongside their educational and conservation benefits. To reach a higher band, ensure that your arguments are more fully developed. For instance, the point about research could be expanded with more specific details on how such research benefits wild populations. Additionally, ensure your position remains consistent; while you argue for reform rather than closure, the essay remains relevant and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use paragraphing effectively to separate the negative aspects of zoos from the benefits. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition to this' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as 'the place where we keep them but are the habit', which is slightly confusing. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, including terms like 'natural habitats', 'extinction', and 'predating'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'unfresh feed' (instead of 'poor quality food') and 'predating' (which is used incorrectly here; 'hunting' or 'foraging' would be more appropriate). You also have some minor errors in capitalization, such as 'Tigers' and 'South America' (where 'a' is unnecessary). To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'The idea of closing the zoos arise' (subject-verb agreement), 'animals are being kept in the cages' (unnecessary article), and 'birds species' (should be 'bird species'). There are also issues with pluralization and article usage throughout the text. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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