Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-09

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 6.0)

The importance of the topic that zoos should be closed, and animals should no longer be kept in there has always been debatable. It has upsurged a lot of arguments in favour of and against it, thus, it has become a very controversial topic as well. This essay will elaborate on both the assertions, and will provide a well-weighed conclusion on why I actually agree with this.

The benefits associated with keeping animals in zoos have left a greater impact on the society. For example, zoos can help build awareness in urban communities about the wildlife culture, and help get support from people about the global culture of keeping the animals safe. Also, it can help give protection to our endangered species by keeping them safe from detrimental spaces and environment, which makes it hard to make them extinct.

However, if I would ever consider the upsides of keeping animals in zoos, I would still agree to this fact that animals should not be kept in zoos, and zoos should be closed. There are a plenty of reasons for this decision, for example, all of the animals in zoos are very much used to confinement, and it causes them boredom, depression and anxiety, making their life spans much shorter and making them hard to live. Moreover, this also decreases their population as they are mostly used to being lonely and being caged in a small limited space. We as living beings cannot imagine this happening to us as well. So, these detrimental effects on innocent animals by humans cannot be overlooked, and they are nefarious in all ways possible.

In conclusion, zoos do help in some areas, such as making urban communities intellectual and making them see the wildlife culture in their city. However, I would agree that animals should no longer be kept in zoos, and they should be closed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you agree that zoos should close, and you acknowledge a counterargument by noting their role in awareness and protecting endangered species. This addresses the main parts of the question and keeps the discussion relevant. However, the benefits are only briefly explained, and the case against zoos relies mainly on claims about confinement, loneliness and shorter lifespans. These points would be more convincing if you explained how captivity causes the effects described and supported them with a specific example or evidence. The conclusion restates your view but does not draw together the reasoning. Develop the key arguments more fully and clarify whether all zoos should close or whether alternatives, such as sanctuaries, could address your concerns.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting benefits, a paragraph explaining your disagreement with zoos, and a conclusion. The contrast signalled by “However” helps readers follow the shift in argument, and the overall progression is understandable. Some linking is mechanical or unclear, though. The introduction promises to discuss “both the assertions,” while the body does not develop the two sides equally, and “this” in “I would still agree to this fact” has no precise reference. Several ideas in the main argument are joined by repeated “and” rather than being clearly sequenced. Use topic sentences that state each paragraph’s main point, and connect claims to explanations and examples so the progression feels more deliberate.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “endangered species,” “confinement,” “boredom,” “depression” and “anxiety.” These choices help communicate the central concerns, and some less common words show an effort to vary your expression. However, several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “wildlife culture,” “detrimental spaces,” “make them extinct” and “a plenty of reasons.” “Intellectual” also does not accurately describe what communities gain from visiting zoos. These choices sometimes make the argument less precise, even though the general meaning remains clear. Aim for natural collocations and precise terms—for example, describe public awareness of wildlife conservation rather than a “wildlife culture”—and avoid using elaborate words when a simpler, more exact expression is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “which” and “as,” and most of your meaning remains clear. Some grammatical errors occur, but they rarely prevent understanding. For example, “if I would ever consider” uses an unsuitable conditional form; “if I considered” would be more appropriate. In “zoos can help build awareness … and help get support,” the parallel structure is awkward, while “making them hard to live” is incomplete and unclear as a clause. The opening sentence is also cumbersome, with its subject and main point difficult to follow. Practise accurate conditional forms, parallel constructions and complete clauses, then check long sentences for punctuation and clarity.

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.