Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-10

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 4.0)

A highly controversial issue today relates to whether to have main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals or not. In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view then explain why I believe that there are more important environmental problems.

On the one hand, there are people who argue that the loss of plants and animals species disrupts ecological. To begin with,one of the main reasons for this is that it can have a sigificant impact on individuals and society. The main reason for believing that

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the topic and signals a position: you say you will discuss both views and believe that other environmental problems are more important. You also begin to present the view that species loss disrupts ecosystems. However, the essay stops before explaining this point, discussing the other view, or giving reasons and examples to support your opinion. As a result, the task is addressed only minimally, and the reader cannot see a developed argument or a conclusion. The response is also well below the required minimum of 250 words: it contains 85 words, with 16 words copied from the prompt excluded from the count. To improve, complete both sides of the discussion, support your position with specific examples, and finish with a clear conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introductory paragraph is followed by a body paragraph beginning with “On the one hand,” and “To begin with” signals a supporting point. These markers show awareness of paragraph structure and sequencing. However, the response ends mid-idea at “The main reason for believing that,” so there is no progression to the opposing view or conclusion. The opening sentence is also difficult to follow because it combines the question wording with “or not.” For clearer cohesion, state the issue directly, develop one complete idea in each paragraph, and use linking phrases to show how each reason supports your position. Ensure that each paragraph reaches a clear endpoint.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “environmental problem,” “loss of particular species,” and “ecological,” and phrases such as “controversial issue” show an attempt to use a more formal academic register. However, the range is limited by the short response, and some word choices or forms are inaccurate: “disrupts ecological” needs a noun such as “disrupts ecosystems,” while “plants and animals species” is not a natural phrase. There is also a spelling error in “sigificant.” These issues make parts of the wording less precise, although the general topic remains identifiable. Build a wider set of accurate terms for biodiversity, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a complex opening structure, including “whether … or not,” and uses a subordinate clause in “why I believe that there are more important environmental problems.” These show some ability to form longer sentences. However, the opening is grammatically incomplete and confusing: “whether to have main environmental problem …” lacks a clear construction, and the sentence does not accurately frame the choice in the question. The phrase “plants and animals species” also has an incorrect plural structure, and the final sentence fragment, “The main reason for believing that,” is unfinished. Use complete, controlled sentences and check articles, word order, and plural forms. A clear model would be: “A key debate is whether species loss is the most serious environmental problem.”

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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