Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-31

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

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task. You clearly present both sides of the argument and provide a personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the example of bees for pollination and the link between climate change and habitat loss. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you could expand on the consequences of these environmental issues with more depth or specific global examples. The position is clear throughout, meeting the requirements for a well-supported response.

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 the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'To sum up'. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow of information is easy to follow. The structure is effective and supports the reader's understanding of your position.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Terms like 'biodiversity', 'disrupted', 'pollination', and 'habitat destruction' are used correctly and appropriately for the context. While the vocabulary is accurate and clear, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to show greater flexibility. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently appropriate for an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional structures and relative clauses effectively, such as 'When a species becomes extinct, food chains can be disrupted'. The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To reach the highest band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, to demonstrate greater control over sentence variety, although your current control is already very strong.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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