Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-15

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)

There has been a debate whether zoos should be closed as we no longer need to keep animals in zoo. I strongly believe that zoos should be kept opened.

It is true that animals thrive in their natural habitats. It is often argued that wild animals should not be kept behind the bars for human entertainment and that keeping them locked is not good for their physical and mental well being. These concerns have led to the development of places like safari zoo, where you can go and see animals in their natural habitat. More and more zoos are becoming animal friendly and give people the opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat, while individuals are locked in cages to protect them from wild animals.

Although, I agree that it is a good initiative to keep animals in their natural habitat but that does not mean that we have to close zoos. Zoo is not a display area for animals as many people think. It has many other important purposes; like it provides an opportunity for veterinarian to study about different species of animal without any danger and understand their bodies, needs, and, develop medicines for them. For instance, Vets might be able to understand the body of a giraffe and develop medicine for their sickness, which might not be possible in a jungle or open area.

Zoos do not only provide an opportunity for humans to understand animals but also provides an opportunity to help animals. Zoos are the best way to help species that are on the verge of extinction. Zoos are a safe place where animals that are less in numbers can be brought, in order to take care of them. It provides a safe place for these animals away from different predators that are a threat to their specie and special attention is given to their diet and health. They are provided a safe and comfortable environment to reproduce, which can be helpful to protect their species from getting extinct. Zoos do not only provide a safe place for them to reproduce but also look after the young ones until they can look after themselves and then, they are send in the wild to live freely.

From above discussion, I can conclude that zoo does not have the single purpose of keeping animals for human entertainment. It has many different and important purposes, thus, zoos should not be closed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your position is clear from the introduction—“zoos should be kept opened”—and remains consistent in the conclusion. You address the opposing concern about animals’ welfare before explaining two relevant reasons to retain zoos: veterinary research and protecting endangered species through breeding and care. These points are extended with examples, such as studying giraffes and returning young animals to the wild, which supports your argument. The response therefore develops a relevant answer rather than simply asserting an opinion. To make the case more fully developed, explain more precisely how modern zoos ensure animal welfare and distinguish responsible conservation facilities from unsuitable zoos. Some claims, such as zoos being “the best way” to help endangered species, are broad and would be stronger with qualification or evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall progression: introduction and position, acknowledgement of concerns, two supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphs generally have a distinct purpose, and linking expressions such as “Although,” “For instance,” and “From above discussion” help readers follow the argument. The ideas within the conservation paragraph also move logically from protection to reproduction and eventual release. At times, however, connections are slightly mechanical or unclear. The opening of the third paragraph, “Although, I agree … but,” combines two contrasting structures, and the shift from safari zoos to the argument for keeping zoos could be explained more explicitly. Use transitions selectively and make the relationship between each example and your main claim clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “natural habitats,” “predators,” “extinction,” “species,” and “reproduce,” which allows you to discuss animal welfare and conservation. Some less common terms, such as “verge of extinction,” are appropriate and help convey your meaning. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise: “kept opened,” “safari zoo,” “locked behind the bars,” and “their specie” do not sound natural in context. Repetition of “safe place” and “opportunity” also limits flexibility. Aim to use precise terms consistently—for example, distinguish a zoo from a safari park—and check singular and plural forms. These improvements would make the argument sound more natural and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including relative clauses (“animals that are less in numbers can be brought”) and a conditional example (“which might not be possible in a jungle or open area”). Meaning is generally clear, and some sentences are controlled, particularly the explanation of how zoos can protect animals. There are nevertheless some errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction. For example, “Zoos … also provides” should use a plural verb, while “they are send in the wild” needs a passive form. The sentence beginning “Although, I agree … but” also has a faulty contrast structure. Review these patterns and punctuation around introductory clauses; greater accuracy across your complex sentences would strengthen the writing.

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