Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-17

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 8.0)

Some people argue that zoos are no longer necessary because animals should not be kept in captivity, and therefore all zoos should be closed. I disagree with this view because, although poorly managed zoos can harm animals, well-regulated zoological institutions can contribute to conservation, education and scientific research.

One important reason why zoos should continue to exist is their role in protecting endangered species. Many animals are threatened by habitat destruction, illegal hunting and climate change. In some cases, zoos provide safe environments where endangered animals can be bred and their populations increased. These animals may subsequently be introduced into protected natural habitats. For example, conservation programmes involving captive breeding have helped increase the populations of species that have become extremely rare in the wild. Without such programmes, some species could face an even greater risk of extinction.

Another advantage of zoos is that they can educate the public about wildlife and environmental protection. Seeing animals in person can help people understand their characteristics and the threats they face in nature. Zoos can also organise educational programmes for children, encouraging them to care about biodiversity from an early age. This can be particularly valuable for people who have little opportunity to visit natural habitats or observe wild animals.

However, opponents of zoos have valid concerns about animal welfare. Keeping large or highly intelligent animals in small enclosures can cause stress and prevent them from behaving naturally. For this reason, governments should impose strict standards concerning enclosure size, nutrition, veterinary care and animal welfare. Zoos that cannot meet these standards should be closed or required to make significant improvements. The existence of poorly managed zoos, however, does not necessarily mean that every zoo should be abolished.

In conclusion, I disagree that all zoos should be closed. Although animal welfare must be a priority, properly managed zoos can play an important role in protecting endangered species, educating the public and supporting conservation. Rather than eliminating zoos entirely, governments should ensure that they operate according to high welfare and conservation standards.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. The writer explores multiple facets of the issue, including conservation, education, and animal welfare concerns, and supports these ideas with relevant examples such as captive breeding programmes and public engagement. Ideas are well-developed and extended appropriately without straying from the prompt. For instance, the discussion on balancing welfare standards with the continuation of zoos demonstrates a sophisticated and balanced understanding of the prompt. The response meets all the requirements for Band 8 under this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression from beginning to end. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the introduction of the writer's stance, moving through conservation and education benefits, addressing counterarguments regarding animal welfare, and culminating in a well-considered conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally without being intrusive or mechanical, as seen in transitions like 'One important reason', 'Another advantage of zoos', and 'For this reason'. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately throughout the response, ensuring a smooth and logical flow of ideas, which aligns comfortably with the Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion. Less common and topic-specific items are used skillfully and with good precision, such as 'zoological institutions', 'habitat destruction', 'captive breeding', 'biodiversity', and 'abolished'. Word choice and collocations are generally natural and accurate, with only occasional minor stylistic imperfections. Spelling and word formation are entirely correct throughout the text, allowing the reader to follow the arguments without any hindrance. This performance reflects the characteristics of a strong Band 7.5 or Band 8, fitting comfortably into Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

A wide range of grammatical structures is used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The writer successfully employs both simple and complex sentences, utilizing conditional structures and subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'In some cases, zoos provide safe environments where endangered animals can be bred...' and 'Zoos that cannot meet these standards should be closed...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and control over punctuation and grammar is robust. While occasional minor slips might occur in more complex constructions, they do not impede communication or affect the overall high standard of writing, earning a solid Band 8.

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