Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-11-11

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 people believe that zoos are no longer necessary and should be therefore shut down. I partly disagree with this view as i believe that zoos still play a crucial role in conservation, although they need to improve the way they treat animals.

To start with, zoos can save some endangered species from extinction. Some species can be brought from nature and stay under protection. With that they are no longer in danger owing to stronger predators or just changing environment. Animals can also be treated and fed with the help of people, as a result they can breed safely. In addition, zoos can provide a tour for different groups of people (such as tourists ot just children) to watch the wild animals which they could only see in pictures or cartoons. Consequently, many visitors become more aware of environmental problems and more villing to protect wild animals.

On the other hand, keeping animals in tight cages are often harmful and stressful. For instance, elephants and giraffe

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

Your position is clear: you partly disagree because zoos contribute to conservation but should improve animal welfare. You give relevant reasons, including protection from predators, breeding, and educating visitors. However, these points are brief and sometimes unclear; for example, “Some species can be brought from nature and stay under protection” does not explain how zoos’ conservation work is managed or why it is effective. The response also ends mid-example (“elephants and giraffe”), so the opposing view and your final judgement are not completed. The response is 83 words below the required minimum, which leaves too little space to develop both sides and support your position. Extend the discussion with specific examples and a conclusion that directly answers the question.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph supporting zoos, and the beginning of a contrasting point. Linking phrases such as “To start with,” “In addition,” and “On the other hand” help signal the direction of the argument. Within the main paragraph, the ideas generally move from conservation to education. However, the overall progression is incomplete because the final paragraph stops after “elephants and giraffe,” with no explanation or conclusion. Some links are also mechanical, and “With that” does not clearly identify what it refers to. Complete each paragraph around one developed point, use clearer referencing, and finish with a concise conclusion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for the topic, including “endangered species,” “extinction,” “conservation,” and “environmental problems.” These choices make the main ideas understandable and show some ability to use topic-specific language. There are also several inaccurate or awkward expressions, such as “stronger predators,” “provide a tour,” and “tight cages,” which reduce precision. Spelling errors such as “villing” and “ot” are noticeable, and “giraffe” is left in an unfinished phrase. Aim for more natural collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, describe animals as being protected from predators, say zoos offer educational visits, and refer to cramped enclosures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a subordinate clause in “although they need to improve the way they treat animals” and a result structure beginning “Consequently.” Most of the intended meaning remains understandable. However, some grammatical errors are evident: “as i believe” needs a capital “I,” “keeping animals in tight cages are” has a subject–verb agreement error, and “elephants and giraffe” is an incomplete construction. The sentence beginning “Some species can be brought from nature and stay under protection” also has an unclear relationship between its verb forms. Use complete sentences, check agreement and capitalization, and revise complex clauses to make their grammatical relationships clear.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.