Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-07-29

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)

There has been an ongoing debate in society nowadays regarding the need for animals to be maintained in zoos, thereby sparking divided opinion as to whether this recreational park should continue its operations or be closed for good. My stance, however, depends on the multiple considerations surrounding the welfare of the concerned species of fauna.

I would probably agree to closing of zoos to some extent because firstly, these facilities encourage commercialization of caged animals for entertainment purpose. It can be gut-wrenching to watch animals being locked and deprived to live in their natural habitat just for the benefit of people who want to observe them and be amazed at them at a safe distance.

On the other hand, zoos can also offer a certain sense of safety and security to these animals in question due to the number of endangered species we have today. While it is important for animals to live free in their natural environment, hunting controversies can make it quite challenging to safeguard the population of zoo animals from declining, more so from threats of extinction.

With this double-sword narrative, I would argue that zoo operations should be allowed provided that there will be policies to ensure humane treatments of these animals. These parks must be designed in such a way that will mimic nature itself instead of merely reflecting an enclosed glass or housing. The government must also take part in ensuring that these zoo animals will be provided with the basic resources they deserve, including water, food, and a proper environment for breeding. As much as they are already held in captivity by being in zoos, they must still be supported through every means necessary as they are also living beings and we also gain from their existence in one way or another.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a balanced view before concluding with a clear position. The ideas are relevant, such as the ethical concerns regarding commercialization and the conservation benefits of zoos. However, the development is somewhat limited; the argument for 'humane treatment' is a bit general and could have been strengthened with more specific examples of modern zoo practices, such as educational programs or scientific research. The position is consistent throughout, and the response successfully navigates the complexity of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'On the other hand' and 'With this double-sword narrative,' which help guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the overall cohesion, but the progression of ideas remains clear and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. The student uses some good collocations and topic-specific terms like 'endangered species,' 'natural habitat,' and 'humane treatments.' There are occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'recreational park' to describe a zoo, which is slightly imprecise. However, the range is adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly, and the student demonstrates an ability to use less common vocabulary, which supports a solid score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'closing of zoos' (should be 'the closing of zoos') and 'deprived to live' (should be 'deprived of living'). Despite these occasional errors, the meaning is never obscured, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The student shows a good command of sentence variety, which allows for a clear and professional tone throughout the response.

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