Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-03

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)

Environmental issues are becoming increasingly severe, and people hold different views about what the most pressing problem is. Some argue that the extinction of specific plant and animal species is the main concern, while others believe that other environmental problems are more urgent. I will discuss both perspectives and give my own opinion.

Those who believe that the loss of species is the main environmental problem often point to the importance of biodiversity. Every species plays a role in its ecosystem, and when one disappears, it can create a chain reaction that affects the entire food chain. For example, the decline of bees can impact pollination, which in turn reduces crop yields and threatens food security. Furthermore, many plants and animals have potential medical or scientific value that we may lose forever if they become extinct. From this perspective, protecting wildlife is not only about conservation but also about protecting human survival.

On the other hand, others argue that there are more immediate and widespread environmental threats. Climate change, for instance, is causing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and heatwaves that affect billions of people globally. Similarly, air and water pollution lead directly to health problems such as respiratory diseases and cancer. Deforestation and plastic waste are also damaging habitats on a massive scale. Supporters of this view claim that while species loss is important, these larger problems have a more direct and urgent impact on human life and the planet as a whole.

In my opinion, both views have merit, but I believe that climate change and pollution are more critical at present. This is because they are the main drivers behind species extinction in the first place. If we do not address global warming and pollution, efforts to save individual species will be ineffective in the long term.

In conclusion, while the loss of biodiversity is a serious issue, I think that tackling broader problems like climate change and pollution should be the top priority because they affect both ecosystems and human populations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly discuss both perspectives regarding the importance of biodiversity versus broader environmental threats like climate change. Your position is established in the introduction and maintained consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the link between biodiversity loss and ecosystem stability, and the counter-argument regarding the urgency of climate change. The conclusion effectively synthesizes these points to support your stated opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints and your own opinion is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'This is because', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the discussion. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'pressing problem', 'chain reaction', 'threatens food security', and 'drivers behind species extinction' show a strong command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys your meaning clearly, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current level is precise and contributes to a professional tone throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences ('If we do not address...') and relative clauses ('...that affect billions of people globally'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of complex ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text.

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