Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-30
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 7.0)
Some people believe that the most serious environmental issue today is the extinction of certain species of plants and animals. Others believe that there are more significant environmental problems. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe other environmental issues are more urgent.
On the one hand, the loss of plant and animal species is a major concern. Every species plays an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. When a species becomes extinct, food chains can be disrupted and biodiversity may decrease. To cite an example, the disappearance of bees can negatively affect pollination, which is essential for food production. Therefore, protecting endangered species is necessary for the health of the environment.
On the other hand, many people think that problems such as climate change, pollution and deforestation are even more serious. These issues affect not only animals and plants but also human beings. Global warming causes rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and habitat destruction. In addition, air and water pollution can lead to serious health problems and damage ecosystems.
In my opinion, although the extinction of species is an important issue, larger problems such as climate change and pollution should be given higher priority. This is because they are the main causes of habitat loss and species extinction in the first place.
To sum up, both views have valid arguments. However, I believe that broader environmental problems are more critical because they affect the entire planet and contribute to the loss of wildlife.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the example of bees and pollination to support the first view, and the mention of climate change as a root cause for the second. To reach a higher band, the development could be more extensive; for instance, explaining the causal link between climate change and species loss in greater detail would provide more depth to the argument.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'To sum up' are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth. The structure is appropriate for an academic essay, ensuring that the argument is easy to follow from start to finish.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'biodiversity', 'ecosystems', 'food chains', and 'habitat destruction' accurately. While the range is adequate, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or idiomatic expression that would characterize a higher band. The word choices are precise enough to convey the intended meaning without error, but incorporating more nuanced academic collocations would enhance the overall quality of the writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'When a species becomes extinct, food chains can be disrupted and biodiversity may decrease.' The grammar is accurate throughout, with no noticeable errors in punctuation or syntax. While the range of complex structures is solid, the essay could benefit from a wider variety of advanced grammatical forms, such as inversion or more complex conditional sentences, to demonstrate greater flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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