Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The loss of plant and animal species is often regarded as the most serious environmental issue facing the world today. However, others argue that problems such as climate change, pollution and resource depletion are more pressing. While the extinction of species is undoubtedly a major concern, I believe that broader environmental problems, particularly climate change and pollution, pose a greater overall threat.

On the one hand, the disappearance of particular species can have serious consequences for the environment. Every species plays a role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem, and the loss of one species can affect many others. For example, the decline of bees and other pollinating insects could reduce the reproduction of numerous plants, potentially affecting agricultural production and food supplies. Furthermore, once a species becomes extinct, it cannot be restored naturally. For these reasons, protecting endangered plants and animals should be an important environmental priority.

On the other hand, there are environmental problems whose effects are considerably broader. **Climate change**, for instance, is affecting ecosystems, human health, agriculture and coastal communities across the world. Rising temperatures can lead to more frequent extreme weather events, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. Similarly, air and water pollution can affect millions of people directly while also damaging wildlife and natural habitats. In this sense, these problems can contribute to species loss as well as creating serious risks for human societies. For example, industrial pollution in rivers can simultaneously threaten aquatic species, contaminate drinking water and damage local fisheries.

In my view, although the extinction of species is a serious environmental problem, **climate change, pollution and other large-scale environmental threats are more fundamental because they can affect entire ecosystems and human populations while also accelerating biodiversity loss**. Consequently, environmental policies should address species protection alongside the wider causes of ecological damage rather than treating extinction as an isolated issue.

**In conclusion**, the loss of plant and animal species can disrupt ecosystems and cause irreversible damage. Nevertheless, I believe that wider problems such as climate change and pollution deserve greater attention because of their extensive and interconnected effects on both nature and humanity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—the importance of species loss and the argument for broader environmental problems like climate change—while clearly stating and supporting their own opinion throughout. The position is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the decline of bees affecting agricultural production and industrial pollution contaminating drinking water. The ideas are extended logically without over-generalising. This demonstrates complete coverage of the prompt, satisfying the requirements for a high band score. The arguments flow naturally from the introduction through the body paragraphs to a well-considered conclusion, ensuring that every aspect of the task prompt is thoroughly examined and contextualised.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, utilizing appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Consequently' to guide the reader seamlessly between arguments. Paragraphing is used skillfully, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt: the introduction establishes the stance, the body paragraphs explore each viewpoint respectively, and the final paragraphs synthesize the arguments and conclude the essay. Referencing is clear and mechanical flaws in cohesion are entirely absent. The overall logical flow supports the development of the arguments exceptionally well.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion. Less common and precise lexical items are employed skillfully, such as 'resource depletion', 'pollinating insects', 'irreversible damage', and 'interconnected effects'. Word choices and collocations are accurate, with only rare minor instances of awkward phrasing. Spelling and word formation are completely correct throughout. The writer manages to convey nuanced meaning effectively without relying on repetitive language, which elevates the overall academic tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of structures, incorporating both complex and compound sentences with a high degree of flexibility and control. Examples include conditional and participial constructions like 'once a species becomes extinct, it cannot be restored naturally' and 'while also damaging wildlife and natural habitats'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with accurate punctuation and consistent subject-verb agreement. Grammatical control is exceptionally strong throughout the 352 words, allowing the complex ideas to be expressed smoothly without any interference or ambiguity for the reader.

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