Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-16

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)

I agree with the statement that we no longer need to keep animals in zoos and that zoos should be closed. In my opinion, animals are meant to live freely in their natural environment and not in small cages or restricted areas just for human entertainment.

Firstly, keeping animals in zoos can affect their physical and mental health. Wild animals are used to moving freely, finding their own food and living according to their natural habits. In zoos, they have limited space and cannot behave in the same way as they would in the wild. This can make them stressed and sometimes cause unusual behaviour.

Secondly, nowadays we have many other ways to learn about animals. We can watch documentaries, wildlife videos and use the internet to see animals in their natural habitats. Because of this, there is less need for people to visit zoos just to see wild animals. We can learn much more about them by watching them in their real environment.

Some people argue that zoos help protect endangered animals and support breeding programmes. I agree that conservation is important, but I believe this can be done through wildlife sanctuaries and protected natural areas instead of traditional zoos.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that zoos should be closed because animals deserve to live freely in their natural habitats. Instead of keeping them for entertainment, we should focus on protecting their natural environments and creating safe wildlife sanctuaries for animals that cannot survive in the wild or an other forest.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by taking a clear and consistent position in agreement with the closure of zoos. The main ideas are well-chosen and relevant, addressing animal welfare, alternative educational resources, and acknowledging counter-arguments regarding conservation programmes by offering sanctuaries as a viable alternative. Ideas are extended and supported effectively throughout the essay. The student develops their arguments logically, such as contrasting traditional zoos with wildlife sanctuaries in the fourth paragraph. Overall, the task is well handled, demonstrating a clear understanding of the requirements for an agree-or-disagree essay, and earning a solid band score for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with an introduction stating the writer's position, well-signposted body paragraphs using cohesive markers like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion', and a cohesive concluding paragraph. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect ideas, although some transitions are slightly formulaic. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic, ensuring the reader can follow the argument easily without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, using appropriate topic-specific terms such as 'natural environment', 'wildlife sanctuaries', 'endangered animals', and 'breeding programmes'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, as seen in phrases like 'unusual behaviour' and 'restricted areas'. There are only occasional minor lapses, such as the slight awkwardness in 'an other forest' in the final sentence. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate and do not impede communication at any point.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The writer demonstrates control over complex forms, such as subordinate clauses ('Because of this, there is less need for people to visit zoos just to see wild animals') and participial phrases. There are frequent error-free sentences throughout the text, and punctuation is handled well. Grammatical errors are minimal, with just a minor slip in the concluding sentence ('an other forest' instead of 'another forest'). Control of grammar is strong, supporting clear communication of complex ideas.

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