Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-08

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 the 21st century, there are two distinct viewpoints regarding major environmental issues. One side argues that extinction of the specific species of plants and living beings are the major concern. Meanwhile, other side feels that there are many crucial environmental problems. In the upcoming paragraphs, both the perspectives have been discussed prior to my viewpoint.

On the one hand, people who support that loss of perticular species of plants and animals have several reasons to defend their viewpoint. One of the primary arguments is the disruption of food chain. This is to say that if the extinction of one species can affect the life of the other animal that depend on it for food or survival. To illustrate this, If a particular insect disappears, plants that depend on it for pollination may reproduce less successfully, affecting animals that feed on those plants. Therefore, it is a major cause for the disruption in the eco-system.

On the other hand, others are arguing that there are many crucial environment issues rather than loss of particular species. They make this argument because of recent surge in the air pollutions. This can be understood by the various factors of air pollution, which majorly includes the private vehicles and industries. For instance, there are recent surge in urban cities of developing country like India. In 2025, it was reported to hit a peak of 300 AQI (Air Quality Index) during the winter season in New Delhi and the major cause of this were the factory of ethanol, which was relasing harmfull gas and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the private cars. Hence, it is a very serious matter and some necessary measures are required.

To conclude this discussion, there will always be a debate about the major environmental issues. In my viewpoint, it is important to take some steps in order to prevent rising air pollution in the metro cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views: the first body paragraph explains how species loss can disrupt food chains, while the second presents air pollution as a wider environmental concern. Your own position is also stated in the conclusion, where you prioritise reducing pollution in cities. However, the discussion is uneven: the first view receives one main explanation, and the second focuses almost entirely on air pollution rather than showing why it is more important than species loss. The conclusion repeats your preference but does not explain the comparison behind it. To develop the response further, explain the wider consequences of each problem and make your judgement explicit—for example, whether pollution is more urgent because it affects human health as well as ecosystems.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for each view, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “To conclude” help readers follow the discussion. Some linking is mechanical or imprecise, however. “In the upcoming paragraphs, both the perspectives have been discussed prior to my viewpoint” announces the structure rather than advancing the argument, and “This is to say” does not connect smoothly to the preceding claim. The example about pollution also moves quickly from causes to a specific AQI figure without clearly explaining the link to the broader comparison. Use transitions that show cause, contrast, and consequence, and make references such as “this” unambiguous.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of environmental vocabulary, including “extinction,” “food chain,” “pollination,” “air pollution,” and “Air Quality Index.” These terms help communicate the topic, and some attempts at more formal phrasing are evident. However, several word-choice, collocation, and spelling problems reduce precision: “living beings” is less suitable than “animals” in this context, “air pollutions” is incorrect, and “relasing” and “harmfull” are misspelled. Phrases such as “crucial environment issues” and “factory of ethanol” are also unclear or unnatural. Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than adding formal-sounding wording; checking spelling and choosing precise terms will make the argument easier to follow.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional and relative clauses, as in “if the extinction of one species can affect the life of the other animal that depend on it.” The meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur often enough to affect fluency. For example, “the other side” needs an article, “animals that depend” requires plural agreement, and “there are recent surge” should use a singular subject with a matching verb. The sentence beginning “This is to say that if…” is also an incomplete or awkwardly attached explanation. Practise building complete clauses and checking subject–verb agreement, especially in longer sentences; this will help you express your ideas with greater control.

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