Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-08

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Nowadays, environmental issues have become an important topic of discussion. While some people believe that loss of particular species of plants and animals, others argue that there are othere more significant environmental problems in our planent. In my opinion, other environmental problems such as climate change and air pollution are more serious because they affect both human health and the natural environment.

One of the main reasons why some people consider this a serious problem is that extinction disturbs the natural balance of the ecosystem this is because many animals depend on other species for their survival. For instance, if rabbits disapper from an area, animals that depend on them for food may struggle to survive. As a result, the natural balance of the ecosystem can be damaged.

On the other hand, some people believe that other environmental problems are more serious than certain loss of the species. This is because

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies both viewpoints and gives a clear opinion: climate change and air pollution are said to be more serious because they affect people and nature. It also begins to explain the species-loss view, using rabbits as an example of how extinction can disrupt food chains. However, the discussion is incomplete: the paragraph on other environmental problems stops after “This is because,” so that view is not explained or supported, and the opinion is not developed with examples. The response contains 142 words, below the required 250; the nine words copied from the prompt are excluded from that count. To improve, complete both sides of the discussion and support your position with specific reasons and examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The opening establishes the topic and your position, and the response is divided into paragraphs that signal a move from the species-loss view to the opposing view. Linking expressions such as “For instance” and “As a result” help show the example and its consequence. However, the progression breaks down because the final paragraph ends abruptly at “This is because,” leaving the second viewpoint and your argument unfinished. The first body paragraph also places two complete ideas together without clear punctuation in “the natural balance of the ecosystem this is because…”. Develop each paragraph around a complete point, use a clear concluding sentence, and ensure transitions connect fully expressed ideas rather than introducing an unfinished explanation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “extinction,” “natural balance,” “ecosystem,” “climate change,” and “air pollution.” These choices make the subject clear and show some ability to use environmental terms beyond basic vocabulary. There are, however, several spelling errors, including “othere,” “planent,” and “disapper,” and some phrasing is awkward, such as “certain loss of the species.” These slips do not prevent the reader from understanding the main points, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Proofread spelling carefully and choose more idiomatic collocations. For example, refer to “the loss of certain species” and describe species as “disappearing” or “becoming extinct,” depending on the meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, such as “While some people believe…” and “if rabbits disappear from an area…”. Most of the intended meaning remains understandable. Some sentence-boundary and clause-structure problems are evident, particularly “the natural balance of the ecosystem this is because…”, where two clauses need to be separated or joined with suitable punctuation and a conjunction. The opening “While some people believe that loss…” also leaves the contrast clause incomplete before moving to “others argue.” The final paragraph’s unfinished “This is because” further limits the range demonstrated. Practise completing subordinate clauses and checking that each sentence has a clear, grammatically complete structure.

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