Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-15

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)

It is often argued that decline of certain species of plants and animals is a growing environmental concern in our lives. Others believe that environmental issues particularly pollution, deforestation and climate change are of fundamental importance. However, I believe that both the things are significantly important and should be focused.

To commence with, Plants and animals are equally significant in this world as a number of population is dependent on them for food. For instance, honey bees collect nectar from certain flowers if flowers got extinct the honey bees would not be able to produce honey, thus it effects in death of bees population. Similarly, hunting of deers is causing extinction of this species thus problem for environment.

On the other hand, cutting of trees and particular plants causes deforestation and also extinction of endangered species, which is a rising concern. Moreover, it results in climate changes and high temperatures. Air pollution also contributes to climate changes. For example, smoke coming from factories is hazardous and it also causes acidic rain, which in turn results in damage to the crops.

To conclude, Although extinction of particular species affects our environment other concerns are equally important like pollution, deforestation. I believe that, govrnmentb and individuals should work together to cope with these growing concerns as they both are equally

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both views and state an opinion, saying that species loss and other environmental concerns are “equally important.” The examples about bees, deer, factory smoke and crop damage are relevant, but the discussion is brief and some links are unclear: the bee example explains a possible consequence of flower loss, while the deer example is asserted rather than developed. The second view is also not fully distinguished from species loss, since deforestation is presented as causing extinction rather than as a separate major problem. The conclusion is unfinished and does not clearly complete your recommendation. The response is 218 words, below the required 250, so there is not enough development to address the task fully. Extend each view with explanation and a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting different concerns, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “To commence with,” “On the other hand,” and “To conclude” help signal the stages of the discussion. However, progression within the paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow. For example, the first body paragraph moves from food dependence to honey production and then hunting without clearly explaining how each point supports the main argument. The second paragraph combines deforestation, climate change and air pollution, but their relationships are not consistently made explicit. The final sentence breaks off after “equally,” leaving the conclusion incomplete. Organise each paragraph around one main claim, then explain and illustrate it before moving to the next point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of environmental vocabulary, including “extinction,” “deforestation,” “endangered species,” “hazardous” and “acidic rain.” These terms make the topic clear, and some phrasing, such as “a rising concern,” shows an attempt to use more formal language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “a number of population,” “it effects in death,” and “climate changes” where the intended meaning is likely climate change. There are also spelling errors, notably “govrnmentb,” which distract from the message. Aim for precise, natural combinations and check spelling carefully. Replacing broad or awkward expressions with established environmental collocations will make your argument clearer and more fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a conditional structure in “if flowers got extinct …” and a relative clause in “smoke coming from factories is hazardous and it also causes acidic rain, which in turn results in damage to the crops.” Meaning is generally understandable, but errors occur in agreement, articles, verb forms and sentence boundaries. For example, “Plants and animals are equally significant … as a number of population is dependent” has an incorrect noun phrase and agreement; “if flowers got extinct” uses an unsuitable verb form; and the opening of the conclusion, “Although extinction …,” is not punctuated as a complete sentence. The final sentence is also unfinished. Review clause punctuation and check that subjects, verbs and articles agree in each sentence.

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