Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-14

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 7.5)

The role of zoos has become increasingly controversial. Some people argue that, because modern society no longer needs to keep animals in captivity, zoos should be closed altogether. I disagree with this view because, when properly managed, zoos can contribute significantly to wildlife conservation and public education, although stricter standards of animal welfare are certainly necessary.

One major reason why zoos should not be abolished is their contribution to the conservation of endangered species. Many animals are threatened by habitat destruction, poaching and climate change, and captive-breeding programmes can provide a safeguard against extinction. In some cases, animals bred in captivity have subsequently been reintroduced into protected areas, helping to restore declining populations. Zoos can also fund scientific research into animal behaviour, reproduction and disease, knowledge that can be applied to the protection of wildlife in its natural habitat. Therefore, well-run zoos can serve as a kind of insurance policy for species whose survival is increasingly uncertain.

Another important benefit is education. Seeing an animal in person can create a stronger emotional connection than simply watching a documentary or reading about it online. This can encourage children and adults to learn about biodiversity and understand the consequences of human activities such as deforestation and illegal hunting. For example, a child who visits a zoo and learns about the declining population of tigers may become more aware of the importance of protecting forests and supporting conservation efforts. In this sense, zoos can help develop a long-term culture of environmental responsibility.

However, opponents of zoos are right to point out that captivity can cause serious problems when animals are kept in unsuitable conditions. Small enclosures, unnatural environments and a lack of stimulation can lead to stress and abnormal behaviour. Keeping animals merely for entertainment is therefore difficult to justify. The solution, in my view, is not to close every zoo but to require them to meet rigorous international standards. Facilities that cannot provide sufficient space, enrichment, veterinary care and opportunities for natural behaviour should be closed, while reputable conservation-focused zoos should be supported.

In conclusion, I disagree that all zoos should be shut down. Although keeping wild animals in captivity raises legitimate ethical concerns, responsible zoos can play a valuable role in conservation, research and education. Rather than eliminating zoos entirely, governments should ensure that only institutions that genuinely prioritise animal welfare and species conservation are allowed to operate.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position in the introduction, presenting well-developed arguments for both sides, and providing a reasoned conclusion. The writer successfully discusses the benefits of zoos regarding conservation and education, acknowledges valid counterarguments concerning animal welfare, and proposes a balanced solution. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as how visiting a zoo can help children connect with biodiversity and understand deforestation. The position is maintained clearly throughout the entire essay, meeting all the requirements for a high band score under this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, moving through focused body paragraphs on conservation, education, and animal welfare, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally, such as 'One major reason why', 'Another important benefit is', and 'However, opponents of zoos are right to point out'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the flow of ideas is smooth and easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student uses a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on this topic. Less common lexical items are employed skillfully, such as 'captive-breeding programmes', 'reintroduced', 'biodiversity', and 'enrichment'. Word choice and collocations are generally very accurate, with only occasional minor imperfections. Expressions like 'insurance policy for species' and 'long-term culture of environmental responsibility' demonstrate a strong command of precise and natural-sounding language that elevates the overall quality of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writer displays a wide range of grammatical structures, successfully combining complex sentences containing relative clauses, conditional elements, and participial phrases with clear simple sentences. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, reflecting a high level of syntactic control. Punctuation is handled accurately throughout, and complex structures such as 'Facilities that cannot provide sufficient space, enrichment, veterinary care and opportunities for natural behaviour should be closed' are executed with precision. Errors are extremely rare and do not impede communication at any point.

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.