Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Environment plays a vital role in the planet. It helps to maintain the environment fresh and clear. Some people argue that environmental problems can lead to the loss of some species of plants and animals, while others argue that it is vital environmental challenges. This essay will explain both the view of environmental problems.

On the one hand, ecosystem problems are across all the nations. The government cut tress for development and better infrastructures; due to this many animals are extinct. The population in the is increasing rapidly day by day due to this there is less space at the city and country side. So, the higher authorities are deforestation for development of the nation. It reduces the number of species plants and animals. Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem balance. Plants and animals depend on each other. For example, bees are declining which reduces pollution and affects crop production.

On the other hand, other environmental problems are more important. Firstly, climate change affects the whole planet. Secondly, excessive use of vehicles and industrialization may increase toxic gases in the surroundings. It creates air pollution which causes diseases. Day by day sea-level rise due to global warming and its effects on temperature. People face many heatwaves during summer season due to carbon dioxide. Moreover, water pollution kills fish and marine animals and plastic waste damages oceans. For instance, heatwaves and floods are becoming more frequent because of climate change in many countries.

In conclusion, I believe environmental problem is loss of particular species of trees and animals due to biodiversity and rising temperature. Although, pollution causes diagnosis and many health illnesses. People struggling to breathe nature air.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a personal opinion, though the conclusion is somewhat underdeveloped. While the essay covers the loss of species and other environmental issues like climate change, the arguments lack depth and specific, well-explained examples. For instance, the mention of bees is a good start, but the connection to crop production is not fully explored. The position is stated in the conclusion, but it is slightly confusing as it lists both the loss of species and rising temperatures as the main problem, rather than clearly choosing or synthesizing a stance. To improve, ensure that each point is supported by a clear explanation and a more detailed example to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. There is a logical progression from the introduction to the two body paragraphs and the conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'due to this' and 'day by day' used repeatedly. Some transitions between sentences feel abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the conclusion where the link between the two views is not fully established. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows naturally into the next would significantly enhance the coherence of the writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to communicate their ideas clearly. There are some attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'biodiversity', 'industrialization', and 'ecosystem balance'. However, there are instances of word-choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'the government cut tress' (should be 'trees'), 'higher authorities are deforestation' (should be 'are engaging in deforestation'), and 'causes diagnosis' (which is misused). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and the repetition of basic phrases like 'day by day' and 'environmental problems' restricts the score. Expanding the range of synonyms and focusing on accurate collocations would help elevate the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'Environment plays a vital role in the planet' (should be 'the environment'), 'there is less space at the city' (should be 'in'), and 'People struggling to breathe nature air' (should be 'natural air'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are errors in subject-verb agreement and article usage throughout the text. To reach a higher band, the writer should focus on reducing these frequent errors and increasing the variety of complex sentence structures, ensuring they are used with greater accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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