Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-17

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 7.5)

It is often argued that the loss of individual species of plants and animals is the most serious environmental problem facing the world today. However, others believe that there are more significant environmental issues. Although the extinction of species is undoubtedly a major concern, I believe that problems such as climate change and pollution have a wider impact.

On the one hand, the disappearance of particular species can have serious consequences for the environment. Every species plays a role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem, so the loss of one species can affect many others. For example, if a predator disappears from an ecosystem, the population of its prey may increase rapidly, which can damage vegetation and disrupt the entire food chain. Furthermore, once a species becomes extinct, it is impossible to bring it back. Therefore, protecting endangered plants and animals is essential for maintaining biodiversity.

On the other hand, there are environmental problems that affect a much larger number of people and ecosystems. Climate change, for instance, is causing rising temperatures, melting ice and more frequent extreme weather events. Pollution is another major issue, as contaminated air and water can cause health problems and damage natural habitats. For example, air pollution in large cities can affect millions of people every day, making it a more immediate concern than the loss of a single species. For this reason, I believe that climate change and pollution deserve greater attention.

In conclusion, although the extinction of plant and animal species can seriously damage ecosystems, I believe that climate change and pollution are more important environmental problems because they have a broader and more immediate impact on both humans and the natural world.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the importance of biodiversity loss and the broader impact of climate change and pollution—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with logical examples such as the disruption of the food chain and the immediate health impacts of urban pollution. The position is established in the introduction and maintained effectively in the conclusion, meeting the requirements for a Band 8 or 9 performance in this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, utilizing effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'For this reason.' Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'biodiversity,' 'ecosystem,' 'contaminated,' and 'extreme weather events' accurately. The language is precise and appropriate for an academic context. While the vocabulary is effective and clear, it occasionally leans towards standard collocations rather than highly sophisticated or idiomatic expressions. However, the control is consistent, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication, making this a solid performance in lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses ('Although the extinction of species is undoubtedly a major concern, I believe that...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is excellent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the text.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.