Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-30
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 7.0)
Many people believe that the major environmental degradation occurring is due to the loss of some specific plants and animals, whereas others think that there are more severe concerns about environment. In my opinion, although extinction of particular species of plants and animals disrupt food chain and ecosystem, the damage caused by humans has more detrimental effects.
On the one hand, individuals who hold the first viewpoint think that the loss of specific animal species disrupts the food chain, which may result in unbalanced ecosystem, as predators who eat those animals may become out of control. Moreover, if a particular plant species wipes out from the earth, it may affect the ability of the earth to trap carbon gases, which may result in an increased global warming. For instance, many plants are responsible for absorbing greenhouse gases, losing such plants may have a negative impact on atmosphere.
On the other hand, there are more important environmental issues that need attention, which are caused by humans. To explain, day to day human activities are causing noise, air, water, and soil pollution, which is a concerning matter. As a result, people are damaging all natural resources for their own benefit. For example, to make travel more convenient, an increasing number of individuals are using their personal vehicles, to increase the yield, farmers are contaminating water resources with the usage of fertilizers. Hence, there more crucial issues that need to be addressed.
To conclude, in my viewpoint, it is undeniable that losing some types of plants and animals may affect the environment; however, the environmental problems caused by polluted natural resources cannot be overlooked.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant, such as the disruption of the food chain and the impact of human-led pollution. However, the development is somewhat limited; for instance, the argument regarding human-led pollution could be more deeply explored with more specific examples beyond just vehicle use and fertilizers. While the position is consistent, the essay would benefit from more nuanced analysis of why one problem might be considered 'more important' than the other to reach a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', 'To explain', and 'To conclude' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. However, the flow between some sentences is slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more sophisticated. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'environmental degradation', 'extinction', 'ecosystem', and 'greenhouse gases'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'wipes out from the earth' (should be 'is wiped out') and 'atmosphere' (which would be better as 'the atmosphere'). While the range is sufficient to convey meaning clearly, there is limited use of less common or idiomatic vocabulary that would be required for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'disrupt food chain' (missing article), 'predators... may become out of control' (awkward phrasing), and 'there more crucial issues' (missing verb). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. To improve, the student should focus on article usage, subject-verb agreement, and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with greater precision. The control of punctuation is generally good, but the overall grammatical accuracy is inconsistent.
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