Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-25

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)

There is an ongoing debate about which the environmental problem should be considered the most serious. Some people believe that the loss of particular species of plants and animals is the main concern, while others argue that problems such as climate change and pollution are more important.

On the one hand, the extinction of plants and animals can have serious consequences for the environment. Every species has a role in maintaining the balance of ecosystem. For instance, bees are important for pollination, while many animals help to spread seeds. If certain species disappear,this can affect other organisms and can eventually destroy the whole food chain. Therefore, protecting the endangered species should be an important environmental priority.

On the other hand, there are several environmental problems that can effect a much larger number of people. Climate change, air pollution and water pollution are some clear examples. The increasing temperature of the planet can lead to extreme weather, rising sea levels and changes in agriculture. Similarly, polluted air can cause serious health problems, particularly in the larger cities. These issues can also contribute to the loss of wildlife, meaning that environmental problems aroften connected to each other.

From my perspective, although the loss of particular species is extremely impe ortant, climate change and pollution should receive greater attention because they affect humans, animals and the natural environment on a much wider scale. However, governments should not treat these issues seperately. Reducing pollution and green house emissions can also help protect endangered species and their habitats.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt. The introduction clearly introduces the debate surrounding whether species loss is the primary environmental concern or if other issues take precedence. Body paragraph one explores the viewpoint that extinction destroys the food chain and ecosystem balance, while body paragraph two discusses wider-reaching issues such as climate change and pollution. A clear personal position is presented in the conclusion, which argues that climate change and pollution warrant greater attention due to their scale, whilst noting the interconnectedness of these problems. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, with appropriate supporting examples like bees for pollination and rising sea levels for climate change. The task is fully covered, earning a solid band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical organization. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a well-defined introduction, moving through balanced body paragraphs, and concluding with a thoughtful summary and personal stance. Appropriate cohesive devices and signposting language are used throughout, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'For instance', and 'Similarly'. Paragraphing is used logically to separate the different viewpoints and the writer's opinion. While cohesion is generally smooth and functional, occasional minor lapses in flow prevent it from reaching the highest bands, but it easily satisfies the criteria for a band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision throughout the essay. Appropriate topic-specific terminology is employed effectively, such as 'extinction', 'ecosystem', 'food chain', 'pollination', 'habitat', and 'greenhouse emissions'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation. However, there are a few minor lexical errors and typographical slips, such as spelling 'effect' instead of 'affect', 'aroften' instead of 'are often', 'impe ortant', and 'seperately'. Despite these minor flaws, the vocabulary is adequate to convey precise meanings clearly, supporting communication well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writing exhibits a good variety of sentence structures, mixing simple and complex forms effectively. Examples of complex structures include conditional clauses and relative clauses, such as 'If certain species disappear, this can affect other organisms' and 'other environmental problems that can affect a much larger number of people'. There are frequent error-free sentences demonstrating good control of grammar. However, a few mechanical and grammatical errors persist, including spacing issues ('disappear,this'), spelling/word choice confusion ('can effect'), and minor punctuation omissions. These errors do not impede communication, and the overall grammatical control is strong.

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