Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-03

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 6.5)

Nowadays, many people think that the extinction of some plants and animals is the biggest environmental problem. However, others believe that there are more serious environmental issues that need our attention. This essay will discuss both views before giving my own opinion.

On the one hand, many people believe that the loss of plants and animals is a serious problem because every species has its own position in nature. If one species disappears, it can impact the whole ecosystem. For example, if a certain type of fish becomes extinct, bigger fish and birds that depend on it for food may also struggle to survive. Over time, this can distress the balance of nature and affect many other living things. This is why many people think protecting different species is very important.

On the other hand, I think there are even bigger environmental problems, such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation. These problems affect not only animals and plants but also humans. For illustration, cutting down large areas of forests destroys the homes of many wild animals. At the same time, fewer trees mean more carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere, which makes global warming even worse. Because of this, more species become endangered every year.

Personally, I think these two issues are closely related. However, climate change and .pollution should be the main stresses because they are the main reasons why many plants and animals are disappearing. If we unravel these problems, we can also protect biodiversity.

In conclusion, although the extinction of plants and animals is a major environmental problem, I believe that climate change and pollution are even more earnest. By dealing with these larger issues, we can construct a healthier environment for both people and wildlife.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task. You clearly discuss both views and provide a personal opinion, which is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, particularly the connection between biodiversity loss and broader issues like climate change. To reach a higher band, ensure that the discussion of the 'other' environmental problems is as detailed as the first perspective. While your points are clear, they could be extended with more specific examples or deeper analysis of the consequences of inaction to fully satisfy the 'well-developed' requirement of higher bands.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. The transition between the two viewpoints and your own opinion is smooth. The paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is generally clear. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices further to avoid a slightly mechanical feel, ensuring that the flow between sentences feels more natural and less reliant on standard transition markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'ecosystem,' 'biodiversity,' 'endangered,' and 'atmosphere' correctly. However, there are some instances of slightly imprecise word choices, such as 'earnest' to describe environmental problems, where 'urgent' or 'pressing' would be more appropriate in this context. Additionally, there is a minor punctuation error ('climate change and .pollution'). To achieve a higher score, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and ensuring that your word choices are consistently precise and suited to the formal tone of an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which allows for easy communication. You successfully use conditional structures ('If one species disappears, it can impact...') and relative clauses. There are occasional minor errors, such as the stray period before 'pollution' and the slightly awkward phrasing in 'main stresses.' While your control of grammar is generally good, increasing the variety of complex structures and ensuring absolute accuracy in punctuation would help elevate your score to the next level.

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