Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-13

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 7.0)

Some people believe that the loss of particular species of plants and animals is the most serious environmental problem today, while others think that there are more important environmental issues. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe other environmental problems are more serious.

On the one hand, the extinction of plants and animals is a major environmental concern. Every species has an important role in maintaining the balance of nature. If a particular animal disappears, it can affect the food chain and cause problems for other species. In addition, some plants and animals may have useful benefits for humans, such as providing food or medicines. For example, the decline of bees can be harmful because bees help pollinate many crops, and a reduction in their population can affect food production. Therefore, the loss of biodiversity can have serious consequences for both nature and people.

On the other hand, there are several environmental problems that can have a much wider impact. One of the most important is climate change, which is mainly caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Rising temperatures can lead to melting ice, floods, droughts and extreme weather conditions. Pollution is another serious issue because air and water pollution can directly affect human health. For example, in many large cities, high levels of air pollution from vehicles and factories can cause breathing problems and other health issues among local residents. These problems affect not only animals and plants but also human beings around the world.

In my opinion, although the loss of species is a serious issue, climate change and pollution are more important environmental problems. This is because they can affect large populations and can also contribute to the destruction of natural habitats, which may eventually lead to the extinction of more species.

In conclusion, the disappearance of plants and animals is an important environmental problem because it can disturb the natural ecosystem. However, I believe that the problems such as climate change and pollution are more serious because of their wider effects on the environment and human life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You clearly present both sides of the argument and maintain a consistent position throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the explanation of how climate change and pollution act as broader threats that encompass the loss of biodiversity. The structure is logical, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each perspective, and a concluding summary that reinforces your stance. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your examples by discussing specific, real-world environmental policies or more nuanced scientific evidence to demonstrate a deeper level of critical analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of referencing is generally clear, and the logical flow from the importance of biodiversity to the broader impact of climate change is easy to follow. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points without introducing new information. The writing is coherent throughout, making it easy for the reader to follow your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Terms such as 'extinction', 'biodiversity', 'greenhouse gas emissions', and 'natural ecosystem' are used accurately and appropriately in context. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations to demonstrate a more flexible and nuanced command of the language. For example, instead of 'useful benefits', you might use 'invaluable ecosystem services'. Overall, the vocabulary is precise and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinating conjunctions effectively, such as in the sentence 'If a particular animal disappears, it can affect the food chain...' and 'Although the loss of species is a serious issue, climate change and pollution are more important...'. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few slips in tense or agreement. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. To improve, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced conditional forms, to further demonstrate your grammatical control.

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