Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-14

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 6.5)

Some people believe that keeping animals in zoos is no longer necessary and that all zoos should therefore be closed. I disagree with this view because well-managed zoos can protect endangered animals and educate people about wildlife. My inclination have been justified in following paragraph with suitable reasons and pertinent example .

Firstly, zoos can play an important role in protecting endangered species. Many animals are losing their natural habitats because of deforestation, pollution and climate change. In such situations, zoos can provide a safe environment where endangered animals can live and reproduce. For example, some rare species can be bred in captivity and later returned to their natural habitats. Therefore, closing all zoos could make it more difficult to protect certain animals from extinction. Another advantage of zoos is that they can support scientific research. Researchers can study animals closely, learn about their health and behaviour, and develop better methods to protect them in the wild. This research can contribute significantly to wildlife conservation

Secondly, zoos are useful for educating the public, especially children. Seeing animals closely can help people understand their behaviour and the importance of protecting nature. Zoos can also teach visitors about environmental problems and encourage them to care about wildlife. This knowledge may influence people to make more environmentally friendly choices in their daily lives.

In conclusion, I disagree that all zoos should be closed. Although poorly managed zoos can harm animals, responsible zoos can contribute to conservation and education. Therefore, instead of closing every zoo, governments should improve regulations and ensure that animals are treated properly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. You have presented relevant arguments regarding conservation and education, which are well-supported with logical explanations. The ideas are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task. While the introduction is a bit brief and the final sentence of the first paragraph contains a minor error ('My inclination have been justified'), the overall development of the argument is consistent and focused. To reach a higher band, ensure that your thesis statement is more precisely articulated and avoid minor grammatical slips that slightly distract from the clarity of your position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Another advantage', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow between sentences is generally smooth. However, the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs could be more sophisticated. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the phrasing in the introduction is slightly awkward. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, including terms like 'endangered species', 'deforestation', 'captivity', and 'wildlife conservation'. The language is generally precise and conveys your meaning clearly. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. For example, instead of 'useful for educating', you could use 'instrumental in fostering public awareness'. The current range is sufficient but lacks the flexibility and precision required for a band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although poorly managed zoos can harm animals, responsible zoos can contribute to conservation and education.' While there are some minor errors, such as 'My inclination have been justified' (subject-verb agreement) and 'following paragraph' (missing article), these do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are clear and grammatically sound. To achieve a higher score, ensure consistent subject-verb agreement and pay closer attention to article usage, as these minor slips occur occasionally throughout the text.

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.