Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-24

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)

Some people believe that the extinction of particular species of plants and animals is the most serious environmental issue today, while others argue that there are more pressing problems. Although the loss of biodiversity is undoubtedly a major concern, I believe that issues such as climate change and pollution are more urgent because they affect both ecosystems and human societies on a much larger scale.

On the one hand, the disappearance of plant and animal species can have serious consequences for the natural environment. Every species plays a role in maintaining ecological balance, and the loss of one species can affect many others in the food chain. For example, if a particular insect becomes extinct, plants that depend on it for pollination may also decline. Furthermore, deforestation, hunting and habitat destruction are causing many species to become endangered. Once a species becomes extinct, it is impossible to restore it naturally, which makes biodiversity loss a permanent problem.

On the other hand, there are environmental problems that may be even more significant. Climate change, air pollution, water pollution and deforestation can affect entire regions and millions of people simultaneously. In particular, global warming is leading to rising temperatures, melting glaciers, extreme weather and rising sea levels. Air pollution is another major concern because it can cause serious health problems while also contributing to environmental damage. For instance, cities with heavy traffic and industrial activity often experience poor air quality, which directly affects the quality of life of their residents.

In my opinion, climate change and pollution should be given greater priority, although protecting endangered species remains essential. These problems are closely connected, as climate change and habitat destruction are themselves major causes of biodiversity loss. Therefore, governments should reduce pollution, promote renewable energy, protect forests and create stronger laws against illegal hunting and wildlife trade.

In conclusion, while the extinction of plant and animal species is a serious environmental problem, I believe that broader issues such as climate change and pollution are more urgent. Tackling these problems could also help prevent further loss of biodiversity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both views—the importance of biodiversity loss and the urgency of broader environmental issues like climate change—while maintaining a consistent and well-supported personal opinion throughout. The ideas are logically developed, with relevant examples such as the impact of insect extinction on pollination and the specific consequences of global warming. The position is clear from the introduction and is reinforced in the conclusion. The response is well-balanced, ensuring that both sides are given sufficient attention before you present your own stance, which demonstrates a high level of task engagement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion.' The use of referencing is precise, and the flow of information is natural. You have managed paragraphing effectively, ensuring that each distinct point is separated clearly. The cohesive devices are used flexibly and contribute to the overall readability of the text without being repetitive or mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including topic-specific terms like 'biodiversity,' 'ecological balance,' 'pollination,' and 'renewable energy.' The language is natural and precise, allowing you to convey complex ideas effectively. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for an academic context, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to express your arguments with clarity and precision, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('if a particular insect becomes extinct...') and concessive clauses ('Although the loss of biodiversity is...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is strong. There are no persistent grammatical errors that impede communication. To move higher, you could experiment with more varied sentence beginnings and perhaps more sophisticated syntactic structures, but the current level of accuracy and range is very solid.

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