Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-20

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)

Some people argue whether the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals or not, but I believe that the main issue is the destruction of habitats because of two reasons: It is the root cause of other problems faced in the environment, and it is not being stopped.

The idea that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of a particular species is very logical. For example, if a certain type of plankton goes extinct, a fish will lose an important part of its diet. This will go on to affect other predators, such as birds and mammals as well. Every species of plant and animal is essential for the food chain to maintain its cycle, therefore the loss of a particular species is severe.

However, there is a bigger issue that is causing the loss of species-the destruction of habitats. This is the root cause of various other environmental problems such as global warming as well, because not only does cutting trees destroy animals' homes, it kills the earth's lungs. Additionally, the destruction of habitats is a serious issue because the process is not slowing down, and nature is being destroyed at an alarming rate.

In conclusion, the destruction of habitats is the main environmental problem of our time because it is the reason behind why there is a loss of particular species of plants and animals, and there is not enough action taken towards ending it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant, such as the mention of food chains and habitat destruction as a root cause. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat brief. While the arguments are logical, they could be further extended with more specific examples or deeper analysis to reach a higher band. The essay meets the requirements of the task effectively, but the depth of exploration is limited by the brevity of the paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'For example', 'However', and 'Additionally' are used to link ideas, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the importance of individual species to the broader issue of habitat loss. The referencing is generally accurate, ensuring the reader can follow the argument without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task, allowing for clear communication of ideas. The student uses some topic-specific terms like 'extinct', 'food chain', 'predators', and 'habitat'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede meaning, but the language remains somewhat functional rather than demonstrating a wide or flexible range of less common lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar and punctuation, with very few errors. For instance, the use of conditional structures ('if a certain type of plankton goes extinct...') is accurate. While the range of structures is sufficient, the essay does not showcase a wide variety of complex grammatical forms. The sentences are mostly error-free, which supports clear communication, but the lack of more advanced or varied syntactic structures keeps the score in this range.

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

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