Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-11

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)

Environmental problems have become increasingly serious in recent decades. Some people believe that the extinction of particular species of plants and animals is the most pressing environmental issue, others argue that problems such as climate change and pollution are more significant. I believe that although the loss of biodiversity is extremely concerning, global climate change is most urgent environmental problem because of its wide-ranging consequences.

On the one hand, disappearance of plant and animal species can have serious consequences for ecosystems. Every species plays a particular role in maintaining ecological balance, and the extinction of one species can affect many others in the same food chain. For example, the decline of bees and other pollinators can negatively affect crop production because many plants depend on them for reproduction. Furthermore, once a species becomes extinct, it cannot be restored naturally. The loss of biodiversity may therefore damage ecosystems permanently and reduce the resources availability for future generations.

On the other hand, there are environmental problems that affect a much larger proportion of the world’s population. Climate change, for instance, is contributing to rising temperatures, melting glaciers, extreme weather and sea-level rise. These changes can threaten agriculture, water supplies and human settlements. Similarly, air and water pollution can cause serious health problems while also damaging ecosystems. For example, excessive emissions from vehicles and industries contribute to poor air quality in many large cities. These problems aren’t restricted to particular regions and can have consequences across national borders.

In my opinion, climate change is currently the most important environmental challenge, although biodiversity loss shouldn’t be underestimated. Addressing climate change can also help protect endangered species because reducing global warming and habitat destruction can make ecosystems more stable.

the extinction of species is a major environmental concern because it can permanently disrupt ecosystems. However, I believe that climate change, together with pollution, represents an immediate and widespread threat and should therefore receive greater attention of governments and individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear, consistent opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the explanation of how biodiversity loss impacts food chains and how climate change affects global infrastructure. The position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout. To reach a higher band, the conclusion could be more concise, as the current version repeats the final paragraph's sentiment slightly redundantly. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two viewpoints and the author's own perspective. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Similarly' are used appropriately to guide the reader. However, there is a minor issue in the final paragraph where a sentence fragment appears to have been pasted or repeated, which slightly disrupts the flow. Despite this, the logical structure remains sound and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise, allowing for a clear expression of ideas. The student uses topic-specific terms such as 'ecological balance,' 'pollinators,' 'biodiversity,' and 'habitat destruction' effectively. There is some evidence of less common lexical items, though the range could be expanded further to demonstrate more sophistication. Word choice is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the control of grammar is generally strong. There are minor slips, such as the missing article in 'most urgent environmental problem' (should be 'the most urgent') and the slightly awkward phrasing in the final paragraph. However, these errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the clarity of the message. The punctuation is generally accurate, supporting the overall readability of the text.

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