Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-24

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)

Over recent years, environmental crises have become a hotly debated issue in this contemporary society. This matter is quite significant due to its several impacts on both individuals and communities. However, a few individuals believe that the basic environmental issue of this time is the reduction of essential species of plants and animals while other argues that there are numerous other problems. In this essay, I will present the reasons supporting my viewpoint and address potential counterarguments.

On the one hand, the main environmental problem of current time is the loss of crucial habitats of plants and wildlife. The reduction of plants and animals may have a detrimental impact on society as they both are beneficial for individuals providing them with oxygen, food and various neccessarily things such as a clothing that can be made from the skin of an animal. Some species of plants add beauty to the environment so if we would cut the plants, we would not be able to see a stunning environment. To illustrate, the majority of people are fond of greenery and spend much of their time staring at various kinds of flowers. Loss of greenery would result into more polluting environment and snatch people's attention towardsa a fascinating scenery.

On the other hand, there is a substantial number of other environmental crises such as pollution, climate change and floods etc. Many individuals consider that these crises play a vital role in damaging society as climate change can create harmful consequences. The unwanted waste on the roads can add significant pollution to the environment if people do not bother to recyle that waste or left them unseeing. Moreover, the contaminated water released from factories or big industries can cause severe damage on the health of the public. For instance, if the polluted water does not reach to the clouds to form water vapours and left unwanted on the roads, it will result into the uncleanliness of environment and social disturbance.

From my perspective, there are major environmental problems that are being casued by both loss of particular species of plants, wildlife, and climate changes. Floods can also cause serious disruption that may have negative consequences for both individuals and society. My opinion is clear and well-founded supported by both evidence and reasoning.

In conclusion, it is concerning to handle such serious environmental crises, both government and public should play a vital role for the welfare of society as it will provide them more oppurtunities to live a healthy life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that the loss of specific species is the main environmental problem, and that other issues are more significant—while also providing the writer's own opinion. The position is clear throughout the essay, although the reasoning and examples provided in the body paragraphs are occasionally simplistic or slightly confused, such as the claim that cutting plants stops us from seeing a stunning environment or the unusual assertion about polluted water not reaching clouds. Nevertheless, the main ideas are extended and supported, fitting the criteria for Band 6.5 to 7.0. Given the solid attempt to cover all prompt requirements and present a consistent stance, a score of 6.0 is appropriate due to some under-developed and slightly illogical supporting arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with clear paragraphing, dividing the introduction, the two differing views, the personal opinion, and the conclusion adequately. Cohesive devices are used to signal shifts between ideas, such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand', although some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional awkward phrasing creates slight bumps in readability. For instance, the conclusion and personal opinion sections are somewhat fractured into very short sentences rather than maintaining a smooth logical progression. Overall, the organizational structure is sufficient to earn a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'detrimental impact', 'contemporary society', and 'substantial number'. However, there are noticeable word choice errors, awkward collocations, and spelling slips throughout the text. Examples include 'neccessarily things' instead of necessary things, 'snatch people's attention towardsa a fascinating scenery' instead of capture people's attention towards fascinating scenery, and 'casued' instead of caused. Furthermore, phrases like 'left them unseeing' or 'left unwanted on the roads' demonstrate limited precision with lexical control, placing this response firmly in the Band 6.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and conditional structures (e.g., 'if we would cut the plants, we would not be able to see...'). However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in verb tenses, modal usage, and prepositions, such as 'current time' instead of the current time, 'result into' instead of result in, and 'damage on the health' instead of damage to the health. Conditional structures are frequently mishandled ('if the polluted water does not reach to the clouds... and left unwanted'). Despite these recurring slips, the errors rarely impede overall communication, supporting a Band 5.5 to 6.0 score.

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