Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-05

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)

One of the largest environmental concerns in the modern world is the accelerated rate of extinction of different species of plants and animals. Human actions have made different species vulnerable to stressors events, causing their population to dwindle. While some believe that this is the most pressing environmental issue, others incline towards the idea that there are more severe environmental threats to the planet. This essay will discuss both perspectives and explain why I believe that the loss of wildlife is the most important issue.

Humans are not the sole owners of our planet, it is a shared home for all living beings. Human tendencies to satisfy their own needs at the cost of other beings has led to a devestating impact on our environment where, several species are at the verge of extinction. The most commonly heard example of this remains the disapperance of tigers, despite the multitude of efforts taken for their conservation, the environmental damage caused by human activities over decades far outweighs the relatively recent efforts to conserve. Illegal hunting, agricultural practices, global warming, microplastics in the oceans and many more human activities have led to this grim situation. As the most capable species on earth, it becomes our responsibilty to not only protect endangered species but also prevent the occurrence of such extreme cases in the future.

On the other hand, some people believe that there are more serious environmental problems than the loss of particular species. One major concern is climate change, which can lead to rising temperatures, extreme weather and rising sea levels, affecting millions of people around the world. In addition, air and water pollution can cause serious health problems and damage entire ecosystems. However, these problems not only affect humans but also the organisms that we share the planet with. Therefore, it is difficult to argue that the extinction of an entire species should be considered less important simply because there are other environmental challenges. Every species plays a role in its ecosystem, and its disappearance can have consequences for other organisms as well. For this reason, protecting biodiversity should remain an important part of addressing wider environmental problems.

In conclusion, I believe no species is superior than the other and while many pressing environmental concerns exist, conservation of biodiversity should assume precedence.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the loss of species and alternative environmental problems, while also providing a clear personal opinion throughout the essay. The position is well-maintained from the introduction to the conclusion. However, some ideas remain slightly under-developed, particularly when exploring the counter-argument regarding climate change and pollution, which stops the response from achieving a higher band. The arguments are relevant and supported with examples such as tigers and microplastics, yet a greater depth of extension on the counter-perspective would elevate the task response. The response successfully meets all requirements of the task prompt while maintaining a clear focus on biodiversity.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introduction, through the body paragraphs, to the final conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the opposing view into its own well-defined section. Cohesive devices are employed to connect ideas, such as 'While some believe', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion', though referencing and transitions are occasionally somewhat mechanical or repetitive. For instance, the transition between sentences in the second paragraph could flow more naturally. Nevertheless, the progression of thought remains clear throughout, ensuring the reader can follow the writer's arguments without difficulty, fully satisfying the requirements of this band.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'accelerated rate', 'dwindle', 'ecosystems', and 'biodiversity'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and spelling, such as 'stressors events' instead of 'stressful events', 'devestating' instead of 'devastating', 'disapperance' instead of 'disappearance', and 'responsibilty' instead of 'responsibility'. Despite these occasional errors and spelling slips, the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly and does not impede communication. To reach the next band, the writer needs to demonstrate greater precision in word choice and eliminate spelling inaccuracies.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like relative clauses and conditional-like arguments effectively. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as comma splice errors in the opening paragraph ('planet, it is a shared home') and minor article or preposition issues like 'superior than the other' instead of 'superior to the other'. However, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to grasp the arguments easily. The control over complex structures shows a solid foundation, bridging the gap between basic sentence patterns and more advanced grammatical accuracy.

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