Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-09

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 6.5)

There is a debate whether the loss particular species of animals and plants is the most critical issue, or other environmental problems. Although, I concur that both issues have their own negative effects and both should be given importance in order to solve them. I personally believe that environmental problems that effect our planet as a whole are far more important than the loss of a particular specie. Climate change pose a greater threat to our environment.

People who argue that a loss of some species is a much more grave issue point out that biodiversity is important for a healthy ecosystem. Every specie is an integral part of the ecosystem and is a part of the food chain. For instance, the disappearance of bees would have a devastating effect on agriculture as they are responsible for pollinating most of our crops. Moreover, many medicines are derived from plants, so the absence of a specific species of plants is a potential loss in cure of a disease. Furthermore, the extinction of animals like tiger and rhinos causes irreversible damage to the animal heritage.

But some point out that the bigger environmental issues affect everyone, including human beings and other species too. Climate changes are causing a rise in sea levels, extreme weather conditions and severe droughts affecting entire regions. Air and water pollution is taking lives of millions of people every year. Deforestation, for example, is causing not only the lack of fresh air but it is also reducing the Earth's ability to absorb carbon dioxide. In addition to that it is depriving animals of their natural habitats. The depletion of Ozone layer is causing the glaciers to melt. The habitats of polar bears and penguins have been ruined. These issues are much more global and immediate requiring proper attention.

In my opinion, although protecting endangered species is vital, controlling overall climate changes is much needed.

Suffice to say, both problems are critical but solving large problems is much more important.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the role of biodiversity in ecosystems and the global impact of climate change. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument regarding the loss of species could be further extended with more specific examples beyond bees and medicinal plants. The position is consistent throughout, but the conclusion is slightly repetitive. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with deeper analysis rather than just listing examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is generally smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'For instance', 'Moreover', and 'In addition to that' are used effectively to link sentences. However, there are minor issues with referencing and flow; for example, the transition between the discussion of species loss and global climate issues could be more sophisticated. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints, which helps the reader follow the argument easily.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate and allows for the expression of ideas with reasonable precision. There is an attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'biodiversity', 'ecosystem', 'pollinating', and 'irreversible damage'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and form, such as 'specie' (the singular is 'species') and 'cure of a disease' (should be 'curing diseases'). While the range is sufficient to convey meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and flexibility required for higher bands. Expanding the range of collocations and ensuring correct word forms would improve the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist. For example, 'Climate change pose' should be 'poses', and 'Climate changes are causing' is slightly awkward. There are also minor punctuation and article errors throughout the text. Despite these slips, the errors do not impede communication, and the meaning remains clear. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the consistent use of plural/singular forms, as well as incorporating a wider variety of complex grammatical structures with greater accuracy.

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