Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Few people believe that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals while, while others think that there are more important environmental problems.
On the one hand, environmental problem has affected the life of different species because they lost their habitats. Due to the increasing population, the environmental problem is also increasing side by side which result the species as endangered. Also, pollution has adversely affect the plants and animals because the chemical they produce decrease their immune system affecting their growth. For example, nowadays people are attracted towards using different pesticides to shorten the time to grow vegetables which will affect our health and environment is long run. It will affect the soil quality and health at the same time resulting different health disease like cancer.
On the other hand, it has directly causes various other problems like landslide, flood and deforestation. For example, the fertile soil will get replace after landslide that decrease in growth of vegetables.
n addition to this, the ecosystem is also affect with this, because every other species contribute equally to ecosystem. The country's economy will also be affected as people come from different countries to see those rare animals and species. Eventually, the economy of the country will rise.
However, there are people who will support both views, I strongly believe that along with the loss of species of plants and animals it has more created environmental problems which cannot be overlooked.
In conclusion, environmental problem cause the loss of species affecting in various ways but it also has equally contributed to environmental problems.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument, but the development of ideas is inconsistent. While you mention the loss of species and other environmental issues, the connection between these points is often unclear. For instance, the paragraph discussing landslides and floods lacks a clear link to the prompt's core debate regarding the 'main' environmental problem. Your opinion is stated in the final paragraph, but it lacks sufficient justification or depth. To improve, ensure each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed argument that directly relates to the prompt, and provide more specific, logical examples to support your claims.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is frequently interrupted by unclear transitions and confusing sentence structures. For example, the phrase 'it has directly causes various other problems' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On the one hand' and 'In addition to this', but they are sometimes applied mechanically or incorrectly. The relationship between ideas is often tenuous, making it difficult for the reader to follow your line of reasoning. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each sentence logically follows the previous one will significantly enhance your score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is often repetitive and lacks precision. You frequently use the term 'environmental problem' rather than exploring more specific terminology like 'biodiversity loss', 'ecological degradation', or 'climate change'. There are also instances of incorrect word choice, such as 'result the species as endangered' (should be 'result in species becoming endangered') and 'decrease their immune system' (should be 'weaken their immune systems'). To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider range of topic-specific vocabulary and ensure that words are used in their correct collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('pollution has adversely affect'), tense inconsistencies, and awkward phrasing ('the fertile soil will get replace'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, and some sentences are fragmented or run-on. While you attempt complex structures, they are often faulty. Focusing on basic sentence accuracy and proofreading for common errors like verb forms and pluralisation will help you achieve a more stable and professional tone.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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