Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-09

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)

It is argued that keeping animals in zoos is not necessary in this era, so they are demanding that the zoos be destroyed. In this essay, I will discuss the reasons why animals should not be kept in zoos.

One of the vital reasons is that in this contemporary society, many species are endangered and some are extinct, so keeping them in zoos is not favorable for them. For instance, in zoos, they are kept in an unnatural environment and treated with uncertain conditions, so it becomes difficult for them to live there as they do not meet the suitable conditions that are essential for their survival.

Another major reason is that their population is in danger. As they are in zoological parks, they are not breeding in that place because of insufficient space. Such as, the lions felt difficult to breed in zoos rather than in forests; they do not feel comfortable. Also, it is believed that the species kept in zoos have short lifespan than the species that live independently in forests.

I agree that animals should no longer be kept in zoos. As they have feelings and they have a right to live independently. Moreover, to protect the endangered species from extinction, the government should build breeding centers for animals so they can be protected. I believe that safaris are better than zoos, as we also see the animals without restricting them in zoos.

In conclusion, I consider that the government should take some precautions to protect our species from extinction.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention that zoos are unnatural and hinder breeding, these points are not fully extended with specific evidence or logical depth. For instance, the claim that lions struggle to breed in zoos is a good starting point, but it lacks elaboration on why this occurs or how it compares to conservation efforts. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph provides a more detailed explanation or a more concrete example to support your arguments, rather than relying on general statements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'In addition', and 'For instance' to link your thoughts. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt. Additionally, the use of referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'they are demanding that the zoos be destroyed', where the subject 'they' is not clearly defined. Improving the variety of linking words will help the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'contemporary society', 'endangered', and 'extinction'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and awkward collocations, such as 'treated with uncertain conditions' and 'the lions felt difficult to breed'. These minor inaccuracies slightly hinder the natural flow of your writing. To improve, focus on learning how words are typically paired together (collocations) and try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to express your ideas with greater clarity and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'have short lifespan than' (should be 'a shorter lifespan than') and 'as we also see the animals without restricting them' (which is slightly awkward). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your message, they are frequent enough to impact the overall accuracy. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of comparative structures will help you achieve a higher score.

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

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