Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-05

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)

Some argue that species extinction is the most pressing environmental issue, while others believe different problems deserve greater priority. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.

Those who see biodiversity loss as the central concern point to the irreversible nature of extinction. Once a species disappears, it is gone permanently, disrupting food chains and ecosystems in ways that cannot be undone. For example, the decline of bee populations threatens pollination processes essential to global food production. Supporters of this view argue that protecting biodiversity should therefore take precedence over other environmental goals, since ecosystems underpin human survival itself.

On the other hand, many believe that issues such as climate change, air pollution, and plastic waste pose more immediate and far-reaching threats. Rising global temperatures, for instance, are already causing extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and food insecurity that affect billions of people directly. Unlike species loss, which primarily impacts specific ecosystems, climate change has global consequences touching every nation and community. Advocates of this position argue that resources would be better spent addressing these broader threats, which also happen to be major drivers of habitat destruction and species decline in the first place.

In my opinion, while protecting endangered species is important, climate change represents the more urgent priority. This is largely because climate change acts as a root cause behind many other environmental problems, including biodiversity loss itself, so tackling it would produce wider benefits.

In conclusion, although species extinction is a serious concern, I believe addressing climate change should be given greater priority, since doing so would help resolve multiple environmental issues simultaneously.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the importance of biodiversity loss and the urgency of broader environmental issues like climate change—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument that climate change acts as a 'root cause' for other environmental problems. The structure is logical, and the position is maintained throughout the essay. To reach a band 9, you could further extend the depth of your examples, perhaps by briefly contrasting the long-term economic impact of species loss versus the immediate humanitarian crisis caused by climate change, but the current development is already very strong.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'In my opinion'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is logical and appropriate. The flow of ideas is natural, and the reader is guided through your argument without any confusion. The cohesion is managed well, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words. It is a very well-structured piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is both precise and appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'irreversible nature', 'disrupting food chains', 'far-reaching threats', and 'root cause' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used with flexibility, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated, less common lexical items or idiomatic academic collocations could elevate the response further toward the band 9 level. Overall, your lexical control is very solid.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional logic. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use a variety of sentence forms effectively to convey complex ideas, such as 'Unlike species loss, which primarily impacts specific ecosystems, climate change has global consequences...'. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout, which is consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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