Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-03

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 5.0)

I totally do not agree with keeping no animals in the zoo. I am not against keeping animals in the zoo; it is beneficial for us and also for the government, but I do not truly support the zoo keepers in that case. If they can't properly take care of the zoo animals, the animals need proper attention, medication, and many other things. Like, animals need proper monthly check-ups; they need a proper atmosphere and, mainly, a proper and healthy diet for a healthy life.

If these kinds of facilities are provided by the zookeeper or zoo manager, then I agree to keep animals in zoos. If they are not giving that kind of attention to the zoo animals, then I must say they should close the zoo as soon as they can. Because treating any kind of animal without responsibility is very bad and unbearable behavior toward animals.

In my opinion, keeping a dog as a pet is such a big responsibility, like having a baby: treating him, feeding him, and also bathing him is a kind of responsibility that we have to take on by our own choice, even like a parent. For example, almost 2 years ago I had a German Shepherd, which I named Pablo. He is very understanding and also very loving. He always obeys my orders; just ask him, and see he is on his way to completing my orders.

Furthermore, sometimes you just get attached to your pet way too much; even almost once a day, you remember him. So, in my point of view, animals are very loving and friendly kind of creatures; it just depends on how you treat them

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt only partially, leading to a restricted exploration of the issue regarding whether zoos should be closed. The writer attempts to take a conditional position, stating that zoos are acceptable if proper care is provided, but should be closed otherwise. However, the development of ideas is limited and somewhat repetitive, relying heavily on general statements about animal welfare like needing monthly check-ups and a healthy diet. Furthermore, a significant portion of the response shifts focus away from commercial or conservation zoos to personal anecdotes about keeping a pet dog named Pablo, which detracts from the central academic task. To move towards a higher band, the writer needs to present a fully developed, well-supported position that directly addresses the broader arguments surrounding wildlife conservation, education, and animal rights rather than digressing into personal pet ownership.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some basic organisation in the text, but it lacks a clear overall progression. The essay opens with a stance, moves into conditional requirements for zookeepers, and then abruptly transitions into a lengthy personal narrative about a pet dog. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal paragraph cohesion is often faulty and repetitive. Transitional phrases are somewhat mechanical or inadequate, such as the frequent reliance on 'Like,' 'Furthermore,' and 'So' to stitch ideas together. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as shifting pronouns when discussing the pet dog. To improve cohesion, the writer needs to ensure that every paragraph directly supports the main thesis in a logical sequence, employing a wider variety of accurate cohesive devices to guide the reader smoothly through the argument.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The writer relies on basic and repetitive terms such as 'proper,' 'animals,' 'zoo,' and 'responsibility,' which restricts the precision of the argument. There are noticeable lexical inadequacies and awkward word choices, such as 'keeping no animals in the zoo' to mean keeping no animals out of zoos, or describing animal neglect as 'unbearable behavior toward animals.' While communication is generally maintained despite these limitations, the range is not sufficient to discuss the topic with flexibility or nuance. Incorporating less common lexical items related to conservation, animal welfare, and captivity with correct collocations would significantly elevate the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer uses a limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple sentences and basic compound structures. Attempts at complex sentences, such as conditional clauses ('If they can't properly take care...'), are often clumsy or contain frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that can cause some difficulty for the reader. There are issues with agreement, verb forms, and prepositional usage, alongside run-on phrasing and awkward punctuation. For example, sentences like 'just ask him, and see he is on his way to completing my orders' display awkward structural control. To achieve a higher band, the writer must demonstrate a greater variety of complex grammatical structures with a higher frequency of error-free sentences, alongside better control over punctuation and clause coordination.

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

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