Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Increasing number of people argue that the main problem for environmental nowadays is the loss of particular species of flora and fauna, however, others argue there are more significant environmental problems than that. Although other environmental contamination like air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution are increasing, I believe that the serious threat we are now facing is the loss of specific species of plants and animals.

On the one hand, the major factor for losing flora and fauna are due to the deforestation. This is because many people nowadays are cutting down trees and woods from jungle for their personal as well as commercial use. Trees are used to make different types of furniture, houses or even papers. As per the population increases, the conjunction of demand for such product also increases. As a result, more trees are cutting down which affect the biodiversity. For example, one species of chimpanzees called 'Orangutan' arnav being extinct as they lost their habitat.

On the other hand, many other factors are also creating harm to the environment. In other words, air pollution, soil pollution and noise pollution are becoming serious issues. Global population is increasing rapidly and people are contaminating the environment without even thinking twice. Many people are not aware to protect the environment for their upbringings. For instance, number of private cars are increasing with leads to increase in global carbon emission. As a result, the way of living of people directly or indirectly impact to the environment.

To conclude, although the different reasons that are contaminating the environment like soil, air or water or increasing, the loss of important species of flora and fauna are being serious issue in protecting the ecosystem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether the loss of specific species is the primary environmental problem and providing a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are relevant, such as deforestation leading to species extinction and other issues like air and soil pollution. However, the development is somewhat limited and repetitive in places. For example, the explanation of deforestation relies on general statements like 'many people nowadays are cutting down trees' rather than deeply exploring the broader ecological ramifications. The supporting example of the Orangutan is relevant, though phrased awkwardly ('arnav being extinct'). Overall, the task is addressed adequately, placing this in the Band 6 category as some ideas are under-developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introduction to body paragraphs discussing opposing views, followed by a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different arguments. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'To conclude', which helps guide the reader through the text. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical. For instance, the phrase 'As per the population increases, the conjunction of demand' is awkward and disrupts the flow. Additionally, referencing errors such as 'number of private cars are increasing with leads to' indicate issues with cohesive links within sentences. This aligns with Band 6 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items related to the environment, such as 'biodiversity', 'carbon emission', and 'ecosystem'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and word formation. Examples include 'environmental contamination like air pollution' instead of 'environmental degradation', 'conjunction of demand' instead of 'coinciding demand' or simply 'rise in demand', and the typo 'arnav being extinct'. Furthermore, the phrase 'upbringings' is misused to refer to future generations or descendants. These lexical errors and awkward phrasings restrict the score to Band 5.5, as they occasionally cause difficulty or require rereading.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures such as conditional and concessive clauses ('Although other environmental contamination...'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('Increasing number of people argue', 'the loss of important species... are being serious issue'), incorrect prepositions ('problem for environmental'), and faulty relative clauses ('with leads to increase'). Punctuation and article usage also show persistent flaws. While communication is not severely impeded and the meaning generally comes across, the frequency of errors keeps the performance within the Band 5.0 to 5.5 range, leaning towards Band 5.0 due to the accumulation of basic structural errors.

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