Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Is it true that environment plays an important role in individual's life? As a matter of fact few individuals reckon that depletion of different species of flora and fauna are main reason behind the emerging environmental problems while others have different opinions on this. Certainly, I am in the favor of former notion. Although the other environmental problems can still be managed and ameliorated yet the issues from animal and plant species should be taken into account.

To commence with the significant point, overgrazing is the key factor behind this reason. Various domestic and non - domestic animals are tend to graze from different locations of forests, cropland which is a major issue for ruining food chain. It is an incontrovertible fact that not only the infertile land for the growth of trees and plants will not make them able to grow which results in more carbon dioxide but also dying of various bees and butterflies leads to no crop and hence there will be less food growth. Owing to this, above mentioned factors are in the favour of first notion.

Notwithstanding this, there are couple of factors opposite to above stated viewpoint. Predominantly, either air pollution can cause various respiratory diseases for people of different age groups or deforestation and climate change go hand in hand also have a major and widespread impact on human life. Consequently, some individuals are in the favour of latter notion.

To my mind, factors mentioned in the second notion are still manageable to a certain point if both government and masses take initiative towards it yet the environmental problems arising from distinct species of flora and fauna has a great impact on both animals and humans life too.

To conclude, without a doubt, it can be asserted that environment is necessary for the existence of all living organisms. If the possible management practices will not be done to improve the surrounding areas then the world will be a safer place to live on sooner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal position. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. The argument regarding biodiversity loss focuses heavily on overgrazing, which is a specific agricultural issue rather than a comprehensive explanation of species loss. The counter-argument regarding air pollution and climate change is mentioned but lacks sufficient depth to fully balance the discussion. While the position is consistent, the supporting arguments would benefit from more precise examples and a deeper exploration of why one environmental issue might be considered more critical than another. The conclusion is slightly confusing, as the final sentence suggests the world will be a safer place if management practices are not done, which contradicts the intended meaning.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear central topic. Cohesive devices are used throughout, such as 'To commence with', 'Notwithstanding this', and 'Consequently'. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or are used with minor inaccuracies, such as 'above mentioned factors are in the favour of first notion'. Referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. The progression of ideas is logical, but the connection between the specific example of overgrazing and the broader topic of species loss is not fully articulated, which slightly affects the overall coherence of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, with attempts to use topic-specific language like 'ameliorated', 'incontrovertible', and 'flora and fauna'. However, there are several instances of awkward collocation and word choice, such as 'few individuals reckon' (which implies a small number, whereas the prompt implies a general debate), 'are tend to graze', and 'in the favour of'. These errors do not impede communication, but they demonstrate a lack of precision. To reach a higher band, the student should focus on more natural collocations and ensure that academic vocabulary is used in the correct context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors throughout, including subject-verb agreement issues ('depletion... are main reason'), missing articles ('in the favour of former notion'), and awkward phrasing ('will not make them able to grow'). While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede the reader's understanding of the main points. The student demonstrates an attempt at complex structures, but control over these is inconsistent. Increased attention to basic grammar rules, particularly article usage and subject-verb agreement, would significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of the writing.

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