Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-18

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 6.0)

While the extinction of particular plants and species present a huge environmental crisis, other major problems such as climate change also greatly affect our environment. Undeniably, the loss of certain species hurts our ecosystem. however, climate change affect us in a broader range that includes extreme weather, rise of toxic substance in the air and the water, affects sea levels and brings various disaster.

The loss of plants and animals being the main issue presents us with many consequences. The food chain and ecosystem animals and plants are dependent on are disrupted because of this occurence. As a result , more and more animals are in the verge of extinction. This existential crisis can even affect pollination or the birth of new plants and animals. For example: if bees go extinct, the flowers wouldnmt be able to reproduce and thus lose its species. Our nature would also decline slowly causing existential crisis for even human.

Climate change can also contribute to species loss itself by causing different types of pollution which makes it hard for animals to be secure in their accommodation. Climate change can also threaten food and water supplies. It can make our environment either turn into a desert or emerge under the sea. Climate change highly contributes to global warming and the trapping of green house gases which can cause various diseases as well.

In conclusion, losing species of plants and animals is a irreversible occurrence which can impose itself as a greater problem than others. But the other environmental problems like mentioned above can also pose a group of reversible changes that puts us in a great risk if untreated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that species loss is the main environmental issue, and that other problems like climate change are more critical—while providing a personal opinion. The student's position is clear throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported, such as when the writer explains how the extinction of bees impacts plant reproduction. However, there is a tendency to slightly over-generalise and some points lack deeper elaboration. For instance, the mention of toxic substances and rising sea levels in the first paragraph is introduced but not fully developed. Overall, the task is successfully fulfilled, fitting the Band 7 criteria.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: introduction, the consequences of species loss, the impacts of climate change, and the conclusion. Cohesive devices are generally used effectively, such as 'Undeniably', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion'. However, there are minor cohesion issues, including punctuation errors before cohesive markers like 'however, climate change affect us', and an over-reliance on basic transitions. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently to separate the distinct arguments presented by the student, aligning well with the characteristics of a Band 6.5 or 7, warranting a solid Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'extinction', 'existential crisis', 'pollination', and 'irreversible occurrence'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and word forms. For example, the student writes 'present a huge environmental crisis' (should be 'presents'), 'on the verge' instead of 'on the verge', and 'green house' as two words. There are also repetition issues, such as repeating 'existential crisis' multiple times in close proximity. These errors do not impede communication, placing the response securely in Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over structure. Examples of complex structures include conditional and relative clauses, such as 'The food chain and ecosystem animals and plants are dependent on are disrupted'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues like 'plants and species present' and 'climate change affect us'. Punctuation errors are also present, such as lowercase beginnings after periods or missing commas. While these errors do not impede overall communication, they prevent the essay from achieving a higher band, making Band 6 an accurate reflection of grammatical control.

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