Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Some people argue that the major environmental issue currently is the loss of particular species of both plants and animals, while others contend that there are more pressing environmental issues. In my opinion, the reduction in the number of species is as important as other environmental concerns. The following paragraphs will discuss my viewpoint on this specific argument.

On the one hand, various species of plants and animals are at an increasing risk of extinction. Due to littering and pollution, many animals get stuck or choke on non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, resulting in their deaths. Overall, many endangered species, such as the red panda and the Amur leopard, face impending extinction because of a lack of environmental care. If more precautions are not taken, more species could disappear, resulting in the disruption of food chains and essentially, the entire operation of ecosystems.

On the other hand, these environmental issues affect not only flora and fauna, but the entire planet as well. Driven by greenhouse gases released by vehicles, climate change is worsening, which in turn accelerates global warming. It has been reported that glaciers and ice caps are melting because of the erratic increase in planetary temperatures. This negatively impacts both the habitats of animals living in these cold regions and the humans inhabiting these areas.

In conclusion, it is vital that we do not undermine either of these critical problems caused by environmental neglect. Both are equally grave issues that we must address soon; otherwise, it might be too late.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the task. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Both sides of the argument are discussed, and you provide relevant examples, such as the red panda and the Amur leopard, to support your points. However, the development of ideas is somewhat brief. While the points are relevant, they could be extended further with more depth or specific analysis of why these issues are considered 'the most important' compared to others. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, ensuring the response is well-balanced and focused on the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a coherent response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'impending extinction', 'disruption of food chains', and 'erratic increase' show an awareness of style and collocation. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the task, it does not consistently reach the level of 'less common' items required for higher bands. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and the language used is natural and fits the academic context well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If more precautions are not taken...') and relative clauses effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. While the range of structures is solid, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated grammatical forms to elevate the writing further. Overall, the control of grammar is strong, and errors are rare and do not interfere with the clarity of your message.

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