Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
Some people argue that the major environmental problem of our time is the extinction of certain species of flora and fauna, while others believe that there are other more environmentally related problems like global warming, floods, and concrete urbanization. This essay discussed both views.
On the one hand, people think that the loss of particular species of animals and plants has caused imbalance in the ecosystem. The change in the food chain will eventually disrupt the environment. For instance, due to the extinction of the Bengal tiger from the hilly area of Nepal, there has been an increase in the number of boars in the jungle, which causes damage to the paddy fields. Moreover, due to the loss of various species of plants, it has posed a serious problem. The loss of cordyceps from the Himalayan region of Nepal has made life difficult economically and environmentally to the local residents.
On the other hand, people believe that there are a lot of environmental issues that need to be fixed. One of the major problems of contemporary times is global warming. Every year the earth is experiencing a rise in temperature, which poses a serious threat to the coastal areas' residents due to the excessive amount of ice melting. For example, one of the research studies has predicted that the Maldives is expected to be fully submerged in the ocean by 2080. Nowadays the snow-covered mountains of Nepal seem to be empty due to the rise in temperature. Similarly, another problem would be concrete urbanization. The majority of agricultural land has been converted into urban areas to make residential areas.
By analyzing both views of people, I firmly believe in the second part of the statement.
In conclusion, there are a lot more critically imperative environmentally related problems than just mere particular species' extinction.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of the opinion is weak; it is stated in a single sentence at the end of the body paragraphs rather than being integrated throughout the essay. While the examples regarding Nepal and the Maldives are relevant and well-chosen, the conclusion is somewhat abrupt and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented. To improve, ensure that your opinion is clearly established in the introduction and consistently supported by the arguments in each body paragraph, leading to a more comprehensive conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is managed well using 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, the phrase 'due to' is used multiple times in the first body paragraph, which affects the flow. Additionally, the final two paragraphs are very short and lack the necessary cohesive links to connect them back to the main body of the essay. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There is some attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'flora and fauna', 'ecosystem', and 'submerged'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of slightly unnatural phrasing, such as 'environmentally related problems' and 'concrete urbanization'. The repetition of basic words like 'problems' and 'loss' suggests a need for a wider range of synonyms to demonstrate more sophisticated control. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the intended meaning without difficulty.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some accurate complex sentences, such as 'Every year the earth is experiencing a rise in temperature, which poses a serious threat...'. However, there are occasional grammatical errors, such as 'This essay discussed both views' (should be 'discusses') and 'imbalance in the ecosystem' (should be 'an imbalance'). Punctuation is generally correct, but the sentence structure could be more varied to achieve a higher band. The errors present do not impede communication, but they do occur with enough frequency to prevent a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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