Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-22

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 7.0)

People have different viewpoints about keeping in animals in a zoo. Their believe that nowadays there is no need to keep them in zoos, as result it should be closed. In this notion we are discussing the against the statement in the upcoming paragraphs.

To begin with, zoos play an important role in protecting endangered animals. Many wild animals are losing their natural habitats because of deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Zoos can provide these animals with a safe environment where they can receive proper food, medical care, and protection from predators. Moreover, some zoos participate in breeding programmes that help increase the populations of endangered species. Therefore, keeping certain animals in zoos can contribute to the conservation of wildlife.Another important reason is that zoos provide educational opportunities for people, especially children. Seeing animals in real life can help people understand their behaviour and learn about the importance of protecting nature. Although people can learn about animals through books, television, and the internet, visiting a zoo can provide a more direct and memorable experience. This can encourage young people to develop an interest in wildlife and become more responsible towards the environment.

On the other hand, it is true that keeping animals in captivity can sometimes have negative effects. Some animals may have limited space and may not be able to behave naturally. Poorly managed zoos can also cause unnecessary stress and suffering to animals. However, instead of closing all zoos, governments and animal welfare organisations should ensure that zoos meet strict standards for animal care. Zoos that cannot provide suitable living conditions should be improved or closed.

In conclusion, although there are valid concerns about keeping animals in captivity, I believe that zoos still have an important role in animal conservation and education. Well-managed zoos can protect endangered species and teach people about wildlife. Therefore, rather than closing all zoos, we should focus on improving their standards and ensuring that the welfare of animals is always the priority.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.0
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding conservation and education are well-developed with relevant examples, such as breeding programmes and the limitations of virtual learning. The counter-argument is also addressed effectively, showing a balanced perspective. To reach a higher band, ensure that your introduction is more precise; for example, 'we are discussing the against the statement' is grammatically awkward and unclear. Overall, the ideas are relevant and well-supported, providing a clear and consistent argument throughout the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use transition signals like 'To begin with', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately. However, some cohesive devices are slightly mechanical, and the referencing in the introduction is a bit clunky. The flow between sentences is generally smooth, and the logical structure makes the argument easy to follow. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices to link ideas more fluidly rather than relying on standard transition words.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'endangered species', 'natural habitats', and 'animal welfare organisations' are used correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'Their believe' (should be 'They believe') and 'in animals in a zoo' (should be 'keeping animals in a zoo'). While you use some less common items, the range is adequate rather than wide. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing to show greater flexibility in your lexical choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'Their believe that nowadays there is no need' and 'as result it should be closed' (which lacks a subject and proper conjunction). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. You show control over basic structures, but more complex sentences occasionally contain minor slips. To reach a higher band, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your complex sentences are punctuated correctly and free from minor errors.

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

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