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 the other argue 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 clothing that can be made from the skin of an animal. Some species of plants add beauty to the environment so if we cut down 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 varoius kinds of flowers. Loss of greenery would result into more polluting environment and deprive people's attention towards a facsinating scenery.

On the other hand, there are substantial number of other environmental crises such as pollution, climate change and floods. 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 in 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 in an 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 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the loss of species and other environmental problems, while also providing the author's own opinion. The position is clear throughout the essay, particularly in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are generally extended and supported, such as when the student discusses the benefits of plants and animals for oxygen, food, and materials. However, some of the reasoning and examples—such as the claim about polluted water not reaching the clouds—are a bit unconventional and weaken the development of ideas. This places the performance solidly at Band 6.5, as the task is addressed well overall, but certain supporting points lack complete clarity and logical soundness.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a clear overall arrangement with a standard four-paragraph structure that follows an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting opposing views, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used to signal shifts between paragraphs, such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. However, referencing and logical progression are occasionally faulty, particularly in the third body paragraph where the connection between water pollution and cloud formation becomes confused. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, but the management of cohesive links within paragraphs keeps the score at Band 6.0 due to mechanical or slightly awkward transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'detrimental impact', 'substantive number', and 'contaminated water'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, including 'neccessarily' instead of 'necessary', 'varoius' instead of 'various', 'facsinating' instead of 'fascinating', and 'casued' instead of 'caused'. Furthermore, the phrase 'deprive people's attention' is collocationally inaccurate. While the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate meaning clearly, these recurrent lexical and spelling inaccuracies prevent the response from achieving a higher band.

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 cut down the plants, we would not be able to see...'). There are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'while the other argue' (disagreement in number), 'in this contemporary society', and issues with prepositions and articles. Additionally, run-on tendencies and slight confusions in clause structures occasionally strain the reader's comprehension, although they do not completely impede communication. These patterns reflect the characteristics of a Band 6.0 response.

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