Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-23
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)
Some people believe that the loss of specific kinds of living things is a major issue in the ecosystem. Others think that there are other paramount nature-related problems. In this essay, I will explore both views and find out which is more realistic. Firstly, I will discuss the problem of losing types of plants and animals, and secondly, I will think deeply about more environmental issues.
To begin with, losing species is a very serious problem that is harmful to nature. It means that creatures won't be capable of doing their jobs properly. Consequently, humans will be negatively affected because they will not be able to benefit from animals' and plants' products. For example, if bees went extinct, honey wouldn't be produced, which means the society will stop consuming it and they generally might not get the nutrients they need.
On the other hand, there are other significant issues to consider. For instance, global warming is very hazardous that scientists across the globe study its effects and how to stop it. In fact, it leads to icebergs melting and strong heatwaves. Another problem related to the environment is air pollution, which results in spreading illnesses and toxic chemicals.
In conclusion, the loss of species is not something to ignore, although there are more serious problems in the ecosystem. In my point of view, I think the other problems should be considered first because of their dramatic effects, and I believe governments should find a solution to all these issues as soon as possible.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument regarding the loss of species relies on a single, somewhat simplistic example of bees and honey, which does not fully capture the ecological complexity of biodiversity loss. Similarly, the discussion on global warming and air pollution is brief and lacks depth. To reach a higher band, you should extend your arguments by explaining the 'why' and 'how' more thoroughly, perhaps by discussing the interconnectedness of ecosystems or the long-term socio-economic consequences of these environmental threats.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
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 'To begin with', 'Consequently', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, the transition between ideas within paragraphs could be smoother. At times, the progression feels slightly mechanical. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensuring that the relationship between sentences is more nuanced, rather than relying on simple sequence markers.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the message to be conveyed clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'ecosystem', 'extinct', 'global warming', and 'hazardous'. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat restricted, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing (e.g., 'doing their jobs properly', 'something to ignore'). There are also minor issues with collocation, such as 'find out which is more realistic' in the introduction, which sounds slightly informal for an academic essay. Incorporating more precise, topic-specific collocations would enhance the sophistication of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most sentences are clear, there are occasional grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'global warming is very hazardous that scientists...' (which should be 'so hazardous that') and 'in my point of view, I think' (which is redundant). Punctuation is generally accurate, but the range of complex structures is limited. To achieve a higher band, aim to incorporate a wider variety of subordinate clauses and more sophisticated grammatical structures, while ensuring that these are used with greater precision to minimize errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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