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 my opinion, the loss of particular species of plants and animals is one of the factors responsible for environmental problems but other factors such as pollution, deforestation, urbanisation, over-population and industralization are also contributing equally.

Since, the whole ecosystem depends on each other, loss of particular species of flora and fauna may result in the disturbance of ecosystem which will definetly affect the environment. For example, some species depend on a particular plant or marine animal for their food, loss of those plants or marine animals might affect the species depend on them, likewise the whole ecosystem get disturbed. Ecosystem play a major role in maintaing environment, like plant helps in the consumption of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen, which help other species in breathing.

On the other hand, air pollution due to excessive use of transport leading to a major environmental problem, improper disposal of industrial waste in rivers and other water bodies are resulting in water pollution. Urbanization and over population are the reasons for noise pollution, deforestation is becoming one of the reasons for the endanger of some species.Overall, these factors are also contributing in environmental problems. So, declaring loss of particular species of flora and fauna as the only reason for environmental problems would not be correct.

All the environmental issues can be addressed by the governments by regulating policies and by responsible behaviour of an individual. Proper disposal of industrial waste, encouring the use of biodegradable products, proper urban development planning can reduce the environmental problems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views by explaining how species loss can disrupt ecosystems and by naming other problems, including pollution, deforestation and urbanisation. Your position—that species loss is not the only environmental concern—is clear, and the ecosystem example is relevant. However, the discussion is uneven: the first view receives a causal explanation, while the second is mostly a list of problems with limited development. The final paragraph proposes solutions but does not add much support to your comparison. The response is 244 words, six words below the required minimum; this limits the space available to develop the ideas. To strengthen the response, explain the consequences of one or two other problems and make your comparison more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph about species loss, a paragraph on other environmental problems, and a concluding paragraph with solutions. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “For example” help signal relationships between ideas. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and several points are joined in long sentences rather than developed in a logical sequence. The second body paragraph moves quickly from air and water pollution to population, noise and deforestation, so the connections feel list-like. Some references, such as “these factors,” could be more precise. Organise the examples into clearer groups and use linking language to show cause and effect, rather than relying mainly on broad transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant environmental vocabulary, including “ecosystem,” “flora and fauna,” “industrial waste,” and “biodegradable products,” which gives the response an appropriate topic focus. There is also some variety in how you describe environmental concerns. However, the range is limited by repeated general wording such as “environmental problems,” and several expressions are inaccurate or awkward, including “endanger of some species” and “contributing in environmental problems.” Spelling errors such as “industralization,” “definetly,” and “encouring” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, you could describe species as “becoming endangered” and say that factors “contribute to environmental degradation.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including cause-and-effect structures such as “loss of particular species … may result in the disturbance of ecosystem.” This helps communicate the main ideas, and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors recur in sentence structure, agreement, articles and punctuation. For example, “Since, the whole ecosystem depends on each other” has incorrect punctuation and agreement; “Ecosystem play” and “plant helps” need plural forms or articles; and “air pollution due to excessive use of transport leading to a major environmental problem” is not a complete sentence. Some sentences also combine several clauses without clear punctuation. Practise checking each sentence for a complete subject and verb, then review agreement and article use.

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