Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

The environment is facing many serious problems today. Some people believe that the extinction of particular species of plants and animals is the most important issue, while others think that there are more serious environmental concerns. This essay will discuss both views and explain my opinion.

On the one hand, the loss of animal and plant species can have serious effects on the environment. Every species plays a role in maintaining the balance of nature. For example, if a particular type of insect disappears, it may affect plants that depend on it for pollination. This can then influence other animals that rely on those plants for food. Furthermore, many species are disappearing because of deforestation, hunting and climate change. Once a species becomes extinct, it is usually impossible to bring it back.

On the other hand, there are other environmental problems that may affect a much larger number of people. Air pollution, water pollution and global warming are major examples. Air pollution in large cities can cause health problems, while polluted water can spread diseases and damage ecosystems. In addition, climate change is causing rising temperatures and extreme weather in many parts of the world. These problems can affect millions of people and may also contribute to the loss of wildlife.

In my opinion, the extinction of species is an important environmental problem, but it is closely connected to larger issues such as climate change, pollution and deforestation. Therefore, governments and individuals should focus on reducing these problems while also protecting endangered species.

Overall, protecting wildlife and dealing with wider environmental problems should be considered together because they are strongly connected.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—that species loss is the main environmental problem, and that other issues are more significant—while presenting a clear personal opinion. In the introduction, the writer outlines the essay's structure. Body paragraph one effectively explains how plant and animal extinction disrupts natural balances, citing pollination as an example. Body paragraph two explores broader concerns like air pollution, water pollution, and climate change affecting large populations. The conclusion successfully synthesises these ideas by arguing that wildlife loss and wider environmental issues are interconnected. The position is maintained consistently throughout the text, and ideas are well-supported with relevant explanations and examples, fulfilling the Band 7 criteria.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with an introductory outline, moving through balanced body paragraphs, and concluding with a well-reasoned synthesis. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently to separate distinct points of the argument. There is occasional repetition of transitional phrases, but overall cohesion is smooth and does not attract negative attention, placing it securely at Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate and natural range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task. Phrases such as 'maintaining the balance of nature', 'ecosystems', 'extinction', and 'endangered species' demonstrate a sufficient range for flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are attempted, such as 'deforestation', 'pollination', and 'contribute to the loss of wildlife'. While the vocabulary is largely standard and lacks truly sophisticated or uncommon academic collocations, the word choice is accurate and appropriate, and there are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The writer successfully employs conditional structures ('if a particular type of insect disappears, it may affect plants') and relative clauses ('that depend on it for pollination'). Punctuation and grammatical control are generally sound throughout the text. While the sentence structures tend toward standard academic patterns rather than exhibiting the full flexibility of a wider range of advanced syntactic forms, the majority of sentences are error-free, and minor errors are virtually absent. The command of grammar easily supports clear communication, meriting a solid Band 7 score.

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