Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-18

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)

While some argue that it is no longer necessary to keep animals in zoos and therefore zoos should be closed, I strongly believe that zoos are essential for teaching the next generation about nature and guaranteeing funding for animal preservation efforts.

The role of zoos exceeds the obvious recreational and entertainment purposes, as they are extremely essential to fostering empathy and drawing attention to some of the most pressing environmental issues. While adults can be moved by watching animals in captivity as a result of loss of habitat, schoolchildren are the primary reason why zoos should remain open. Most excursions, for example, take place in zoos and not in the wild which is practically impossible. Thus, had it not been for zoos, the educational endeavor would not be complete.

Another aspect of zoos that is usually overlooked is the economic importance for wildlife conservation efforts. Although the entrance fees to zoos might seem insignificant to individuals, they are the backbone of any efforts to save endangered animals. The procedure of taking species that are on the verge of extinction from their natural habitat is extremely complicated, and not only does it require special equipment, but also highly trained specialists who are hard to pay for using public money allocations. Consequently, revenues from zoos are indispensable.

In conclusion, the importance of zoos goes far beyond leisure and fun to help with educating and tackling some environmental crises. The role they play in education and in funding environmental initiatives cannot be overlooked.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response clearly addresses the prompt by taking a firm stance against closing zoos. The position is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas regarding education and conservation are relevant and well-developed. The argument about schoolchildren and the practical impossibility of visiting the wild is a strong point, as is the economic argument regarding conservation funding. The essay covers all parts of the task well, providing logical reasons and supporting examples. To reach a higher band, the student could have briefly acknowledged the counter-argument (e.g., animal welfare concerns) to provide a more balanced and nuanced discussion, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated approach to the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'Thus', 'Although', and 'Consequently' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices. The structure is sound and supports the overall argument effectively throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is generally precise and appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'pressing environmental issues', 'verge of extinction', and 'indispensable' demonstrate a good range. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the student shows an awareness of collocation. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it lacks the consistent 'sophisticated' or 'skilful' control of less common items required for the highest bands. However, there are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication, and the tone remains formal and academic throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as the conditional 'had it not been for zoos' and the use of concessive clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of ideas. While the grammar is strong, there are occasional minor slips or slightly awkward phrasings, such as 'the procedure of taking species... is extremely complicated', which could be expressed more naturally. Overall, the control of grammar is consistent and supports clear communication.

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

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