Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
Some people perceive the loss of flora and fauna as the major environmental problem at present time, while others believe that there are other severe environmental issues. I believe the extinction of plants and animal to be the most pressing problem in recent times because it poses a serious threat to ecological food chain and human existence.
As plants and animals are the crucial elements of food chain, their absence totally disrupts the food chain, leading to ecological imbalance where human survival is difficult. Humans rely entirely on vegetations and animals for foods, such as vegetables, fruits, animal meats, milks and the egg. The loss of these species is directly associated with the food scarcity, pushing the world towards the hunger. For example, there is no chance of getting any vegetable to cook and animal products to consume in desert with no living species. From oxygen for breathing to raw materials for producing clothes, everything ceases with the extinction of plants and animals, keeping the fundamental needs of human beings unfulfilled.
However, other people believe that there are other more influential environmental problems such as desertification and climate change. As per them, the desertification is a worse case as desertified soil cannot support agriculture and microorganisms suvival is not possible there. The soil which is the foundation of every structures on the Earth, now does not support the human infrastructure anymore. However, at last they all strike with the loss of plants and animal. So, it is clearly possible that the worst thing that can happen in the last stage is the loss of plants and animals.
Hence, we must be wise enough to know the worst circumstances that can arise by the loss of plants and animals on time, and address the problem as soon as possible.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, particularly the link between biodiversity loss and human survival. However, the development is somewhat uneven. The second paragraph is well-supported with examples, but the discussion of the opposing view (desertification) is slightly repetitive and lacks depth. The conclusion is a bit abrupt and could have better synthesised the arguments presented. Overall, the task is fully addressed, but the depth of analysis could be improved to reach a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organised into paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'However', 'For example', and 'Hence', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and there is some repetition in the way ideas are linked, particularly in the third paragraph where the connection between desertification and species loss is stated somewhat clumsily. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be smoother to achieve a more natural progression of ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task. You use some topic-specific terms like 'ecological imbalance', 'desertification', and 'extinction'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'animal meats, milks and the egg' (should be 'meat, milk, and eggs') and 'foundation of every structures' (should be 'foundation of every structure'). The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but more precise or sophisticated vocabulary would be needed to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'at present time' (should be 'at the present time'), 'microorganisms suvival' (spelling/possessive error), and 'the desertification is a worse case' (article usage). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. You demonstrate an ability to construct complex sentences, but the control over articles, pluralisation, and subject-verb agreement needs more attention to ensure accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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