Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-06

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)

In ancient times, the daily life experienced less industrialization, and the flora and fauna that did not need to worry about their existence. Many species wondered around the earth without an immediate threat . But contrasting to that, during modern times, a substantial loss of particular species of plants and animals, has been observed. This raises a concern of whether such environmental problems should be our top priority.

First side of this debate, points out, that preservation of various species of living organisms should be taken seriously. Humans, in many ways, contribute towards the immense pollution and degradation of the environmental aspects, essential for living. When suitable survival conditions and qualities of an environment are affected, the direct toll is ultimately taken by the species depending on it. For example, species like 'White Bengal Tiger' and 'Dire wolf' has experienced near extinction. To fight this, there should be clear policies and rules to regulate human intervention in the wildlife. It is our moral duty to co-exist with the wildlife.

On the other hand, it is also important to highlight greater risks, that we have on our plate, when it comes to environmental concerns. There are many high level threats, that we are dealing with right now. The need for green and clean fuel is alarming. The shortage of clean drinking water and pure air, which are the fundamental basis of human survival, should not be ignored. For example, the glaciers are defrosted at a concerning rate, along with forests experiencing higher rates of deforestation.

I agree with the preservation of wildlife, but that alone cannot be our only goal when it comes to environmental problems. We should always be aware other greater problems which need regular attention and intervention.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on environmental problems and providing a personal opinion. However, the treatment of the ideas is somewhat uneven, placing the response at this level. While the two main viewpoints are introduced and illustrated with examples, some concepts remain under-developed. For instance, the mention of species like the 'Dire wolf' (an extinct prehistoric animal rather than a contemporary conservation concern) shows limited awareness, and the arguments regarding broader environmental threats like clean fuel and water lack deeper extension and support. The student's position is discernible throughout, particularly emerging in the conclusion, but the overall exploration of the issues requires more depth and thorough elaboration to reach a higher level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the response into logical paragraphs, including an introduction, two body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a conclusion. Information and ideas are generally sequenced, yet the cohesion is sometimes mechanical and awkward. Transitional markers and referencing devices are occasionally clumsy, such as 'First side of this debate, points out' and 'But contrasting to that', which disrupts the natural flow of ideas. Paragraphing is utilized sufficiently to separate the distinct arguments, but the internal logical progression within the body paragraphs could be smoother and more securely linked to create a more unified text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The writer demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully communicating central ideas about environmental issues and conservation. Less common lexical items are attempted, such as 'industrialization', 'degradation', and 'intervention', but these attempts are occasionally marred by inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and form. For example, phrases like 'did not need to worry about their existence' and 'environmental aspects, essential for living' feel somewhat unnatural. Furthermore, there are noticeable lexical slips, including 'wondered around' instead of 'wandered around' and 'glaciers are defrosted' instead of 'melting', which causes minor strain for the reader while remaining mostly intelligible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The essay employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though the range of structures is somewhat limited and repetitive. There are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. Issues arise with article usage, prepositions, and subject-verb agreement, such as 'the flora and fauna that did not need to worry', 'species like... has experienced' (plural subject with singular verb), and awkward comma splices like 'loss of particular species of plants and animals, has been observed'. Attempts at complex sentences frequently contain structural flaws, such as 'There are many high level threats, that we are dealing with right now', yet basic meaning is generally preserved despite these persistent inaccuracies.

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