Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-26
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)
In recent years, there are a large number of environmental problems occurring on daily basis. Some people argue that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals, while others believe that there are more important environmental problems. In my opinion, there are a large number of environmental problems and one of them is the loss of particular species of plants and animals.
On the one hand, loss of particular species of plants can be considered as the main problem due to the loss of medicinal plants. A large number of plants can be used to create medicine as a cure of various diseases. For example, the mint leaves are used to create various medicines, if they no longer exist it may affect the healthcare sector. Additionally, loss of particular species of animals can affect the environmental ecosystem. If the sheep become extinct, they may affect the textile industry because it will create scarcity of wool.
On the other hand, critics argue that there are more important environmental problems such as air pollution. This is because there are various modes of transportation available in cities. These vehicles release toxic gas like carbon dioxide which harms the environment. Furthermore, deforestation is carried out to provide ways for industries. Various forests are cut down to develop industries which are required to produce various products. This will create environmental imbalance in terms of oxygen level and animal habitats.
In conclusion, loss of particular species of plants and animals affect the healthcare sector and textile industries, while other environmental problems such as air pollution and deforestation plays an important role. I believe that there are various environmental problems in the current time, but one of the main problems is loss of particular species and animals.
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 personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding the loss of species is linked primarily to the 'textile industry' and 'medicinal plants,' which feels narrow and lacks depth. The discussion on air pollution and deforestation is relevant but remains quite general. To reach a higher band, you should provide more nuanced analysis, such as discussing the irreversible nature of extinction versus the potentially reversible nature of pollution. Your position is clear, but the supporting arguments could be more thoroughly extended to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Additionally,' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader through your arguments. While the progression is generally logical, the transition between ideas within paragraphs could be smoother. For example, the jump from medicinal plants to the textile industry in the second paragraph feels slightly disjointed. The use of referencing is generally accurate, though some sentences could be linked more effectively to create a more cohesive flow of ideas throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'extinct,' 'scarcity,' 'toxic gas,' and 'environmental imbalance.' However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the frequent use of 'various' and 'environmental problems.' There are also some minor collocation issues, such as 'occurring on daily basis' (should be 'on a daily basis') and 'provide ways for industries' (should be 'make way for industrial development'). To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repeating the same phrases throughout the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors. For example, 'In recent years, there are a large number' should be 'there have been,' and 'plays an important role' should be 'play an important role' to agree with the plural subject. Additionally, there are minor punctuation and article errors, such as 'the loss of particular species and animals' (missing 'of'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage would significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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