Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-19

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)

This has always been a debatable issue when it comes to figuring out the perfect habitat for animals. Some are of the thought that these living creatures should not be kept in zoos and I strongly agree with this as these hold back their density and consider to be dangerous spot.

The first reason is that zoos, undoubtedly, have created an unsafe environment for the species which poses a threat. Human interference in zoological gardens such as peeping them out of cages, giving them food etc. have always been triggering factors for living beings who just need to live without any danger. Around 25% of zoos in the U.K. , for example, have proven to be deadly for the wildlife just by feeding inappropriate food items through human. This is why, these so-called safe guarding locations need to be shut down.

Another reason behind my perception is that these ecological spots can have the potential of lowering down the overall animals' diversity. To clarify, while chasing animals for showcasing them in our specific gardens, we do not look for their offsprings and mates. This is not only causing their generation in trouble by separating , but it cuts down their population growth to themselves. For instance, majority of reptiles are gone extinct because of countless wildlife parks in Ontario. This factor is detrimental for their well being and their own close ones.

In conclus

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you clearly state your position in the introduction, the conclusion is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence. The arguments regarding animal safety and diversity are relevant but remain under-developed due to the lack of sufficient length. To improve, ensure you fully expand on your supporting points with more detailed explanations and examples, and always complete your essay with a clear summary or concluding thought. The current length prevents a full exploration of the topic, which limits the score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'The first reason', 'To clarify', and 'For instance' to link your points. However, the abrupt ending in the conclusion disrupts the overall coherence. Additionally, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your paragraphing is balanced and that your conclusion provides a cohesive summary of the arguments presented in the body paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, such as 'zoological gardens', 'ecological spots', and 'detrimental'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'peeping them out of cages' (likely meaning 'staring at them') and 'cuts down their population growth to themselves'. Some phrasing is unnatural, which occasionally makes the meaning less precise. To improve, focus on learning common collocations and using more academic vocabulary in context. Avoid informal or imprecise phrasing to ensure your arguments are conveyed with greater clarity and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Examples include 'Some are of the thought' (should be 'Some are of the opinion'), 'feeding inappropriate food items through human' (should be 'by humans'), and 'majority of reptiles are gone extinct' (should be 'have gone extinct'). These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause the reader to pause, though they do not completely impede communication. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and the accurate formation of passive voice structures.

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

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