Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-26

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 6.0)

Some people believe that the core environmental problem of our time is the loss of flora and fauna. Others hold the opinion that there are more significant ecological concerns. Although the vanishing of species is a great loss, some other environmental problems need to be addressed and given priority.

Today, numerous plants and animal species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. The disappearing of biodiversity have major consequences. First of all, due to extinction, there is breakage in food cycle and it leads to disturbance in ecological balance. For instance, extinction of an insect eating bird can result in the increment of that specific insect. Moreover, some species are beneficial to humans as they provide us food, medicine, and clothing. Moreover, vulnerable decrease in those numbers can effect heavily in our lifestyle. To exemplify, extinction of a silk producing worm can leads to low or negligible supply of that kind of silk.

Although, eradication of plants and animals have catastrophic effects, the annihilation goes hand in hand with modern ecological problems. Developing industries release heavy chemicals into the air and water causing pollution. Following the catastrophic effects of environmental degradation, species are dying out at a more rapid rate than ever. The results of modern green issues, which are created by industries is the cause of removal of species. If pollution is somehow stopped or prevented, the cause will also be eventually solved and the problem will no more be a threat.

To conclude, there is a need to prevent declining numbers of biodiversity, but it will be achieved solely as a result in improvements in the pollution and degradation of nature. Achieving this feat will lead us to saving the declination of species.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the loss of flora and fauna as the main environmental problem alongside the view that other concerns are more important. The student takes a clear position in the introduction, stating that while species loss is significant, other environmental issues deserve priority. Ideas are relevant, such as mentioning the 'breakage in food cycle' and how industries release heavy chemicals, but some explanations feel slightly repetitive or under-developed. For example, the argument that stopping pollution will automatically solve species loss is somewhat simplistic. Overall, the task is adequately addressed in line with Band 6 requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with clear paragraphing, moving from an introduction to body paragraphs discussing biodiversity loss, industrial pollution, and a conclusion. However, cohesion is occasionally mechanical or faulty. The repeated use of cohesive devices like 'Moreover' and 'To exemplify' feels slightly forced, and referencing is sometimes imprecise, as seen in phrases like 'the cause will also be eventually solved'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the argument, but transitional flow between the second and third body paragraphs could be smoother. These features position the essay firmly at Band 6.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'biodiversity', 'ecological balance', and 'catastrophic effects'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation inaccuracies throughout the text. Examples include 'The disappearing of biodiversity' instead of 'The disappearance', 'breakage in food cycle' instead of 'breakdown in the food chain', and 'vulnerable decrease' instead of 'significant decline'. Additionally, phrases like 'silk producing worm' show limited precision. While these lexical errors do not impede overall communication, they prevent the score from reaching a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing conditional clauses and relative clauses, such as 'If pollution is somehow stopped or prevented, the cause will also be eventually solved'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the disappearing of biodiversity have', 'a silk producing worm can leads') and incorrect prepositions or word forms ('effect heavily in our lifestyle'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but structural inaccuracies persist and occasionally cause slight difficulty for the reader, aligning the grammar with a Band 5.5 or 6.0 descriptor. A score of 6.0 is awarded as meaning remains clear despite the flaws.

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