Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-12

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 7.5)

Some people believe that zoos are no longer necessary and that they should therefore be closed. I disagree with this view because well-managed zoos can contribute to wildlife conservation, educate the public and protect endangered species.

First of all, zoos can play an important role in protecting animals that are threatened with extinction. Some species are kept in controlled environments where they can receive proper food, medical treatment and protection from predators and poachers. In addition, successful breeding programmes can increase the population of endangered animals and, in some cases, allow them to be reintroduced into their natural habitats. For example, several endangered species have benefited from breeding programmes carried out by zoos and wildlife conservation organisations.

Another important benefit of zoos is education. Many people, particularly children, may never have the opportunity to see wild animals in their natural environments. Visiting a zoo can help them understand the importance of protecting wildlife and teach them about different species and their habitats. This knowledge can encourage people to develop greater respect for nature and support conservation efforts.

However, I acknowledge that keeping animals in small or unsuitable enclosures can cause stress and negatively affect their physical and psychological well-being. For this reason, zoos that fail to provide appropriate living conditions should be improved or closed. Nevertheless, this does not mean that all zoos should disappear. Modern zoos that provide spacious habitats, veterinary care and conservation programmes can continue to serve a useful purpose.

In conclusion, although there are legitimate concerns about animal welfare in zoos, I do not believe that all zoos should be closed. Instead, they should be carefully regulated and required to meet high standards of animal welfare while contributing to conservation and education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student presents a clear and well-developed position throughout the essay. The prompt asks whether we should close zoos because we no longer need to keep animals in them, and the student firmly disagrees. This position is maintained logically and supported by distinct arguments in each body paragraph, focusing on wildlife conservation, public education, and animal welfare regulations. For instance, the student notes that 'successful breeding programmes can increase the population of endangered animals', which directly addresses the prompt's premise about the necessity of zoos. Ideas are well-extended with relevant explanations and examples, fulfilling all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from a clear introduction outlining the writer's stance, through body paragraphs discussing conservation, education, and welfare nuances, to a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'In addition', 'Another important benefit', and 'However' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is logical and used appropriately, ensuring that the text is cohesive without relying on mechanical or repetitive linking phrases.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally precise range of vocabulary suitable for a General Training Task 2 essay. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'controlled environments', 'predators and poachers', 'reintroduced into their natural habitats', and 'psychological well-being'. Word choice and spelling are consistently accurate, with only rare minor limitations. The language flows naturally, and the writer avoids overly repetitive terminology, showing a good awareness of style and register throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay features a good variety of complex structures deployed accurately. The majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting strong grammatical control. Examples of complex structures include conditional and participial constructions, such as 'Some species are kept in controlled environments where they can receive proper food...' and 'although there are legitimate concerns about animal welfare in zoos, I do not believe that all zoos should be closed.' Punctuation is handled accurately, and control over verb tenses, modal verbs, and subordinate clauses remains strong throughout the text, allowing the message to be communicated with absolute clarity.

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