Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Some people believe that extinction of particular species of plants and animals is the main problem of environment while others argue that there are also some other environmental problems like climate change, water pollution and air pollution are the major concerns of polluting the environment. Both statements have valid arguments. But I believe that the substances like change in climate and pollutive particles are the major environmental problem that need to be fixed.
On one hand, disappearance of plants and animals affect the natural environment. When one specie of plants or animals got instinct, it damages the other species. For example, the decline of bees could badly affect the agricultural system because it pollinate many other crops.
On the other hand, the changes in climate, air pollution and water pollution not only damage the wildlife but also the humans life. For instance, excessive amount of green house gases are increasing rapidly that causes floods, droughts and increase in global temperature. Moreover, the polluted air of factories, mills are also polluting the air that causes the death of many animals and also make difficulties for humans. Hence, these environmental issues damage the biodiversity but also causes the death of many species indirectly.
In my perspective, the environmental issues like pollutive substances need to be fixed rapidly because they have much broader affects.
In conclusion, I believe that the extinction of species is the major cause, but the issues like air pollution, water pollution not only affects ecology but also had a deep effect on the society.
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 views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While the example of bees is relevant, the discussion on climate change and pollution remains quite general. The conclusion is slightly contradictory, as it initially states that extinction is the 'major cause' before pivoting back to the importance of pollution. To reach a higher band, you should ensure your position is consistent throughout and provide more detailed, specific explanations for why one issue is more pressing than the other, rather than just listing them.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' to signal shifts in the argument. However, the flow within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical. For instance, the transition between the impact of bees and the broader agricultural system could be smoother. Additionally, some referencing is slightly unclear, such as the use of 'these environmental issues' which could be more precisely linked to the preceding sentences to improve the overall cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, including terms like 'biodiversity,' 'agricultural system,' and 'green house gases.' However, there are several inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, you use 'pollutive particles' and 'pollutive substances,' which are not standard English collocations; 'pollutants' would be more appropriate. You also use 'instinct' instead of 'extinct' and 'affects' (verb) when you mean 'effects' (noun). These errors occasionally hinder precision, though they do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'one specie... got instinct,' 'it pollinate') and article usage (e.g., 'the humans life'). There are also issues with pluralization and word forms, such as 'makes difficulties for humans' instead of 'creates difficulties.' While these errors are noticeable, they rarely impede communication. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent use of singular and plural forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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