Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-16

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 6.0)

Many individuals debate on whether, in present time, the extinction of species of plants and animals is the prime issue or there are other environmental issues that needs attention. The latter carries more weightage than the former, as there are many ongoing problems like plastic pollution and global warming. Further discussion will discuss both notions.

In today's era, several plants and animals are at the verge of extinction as believed by many experts. This can be attributed to illegal hunting activities. It is argued that this illegal hunting of animals for skin, meat, and other body parts has pushed these creatures to the category of endangered species. For instance, the Great Indian Rhinos had been the omnipresent creatures, that once thrived in various parts of Indian Forests. Due to the illegal selling of their horns, they were extensively hunted, which vanished away its majority population. Hence, it's viewed that extinction of animals and plants species is a considerable problem that needs to be addressed in today's time.

Nevertheless, we cannot ignore the other major environmental problems, that are rising at an alarming rate, day by day. The two most contributing factors are plastic pollution and global warming. Due to non-biodegradable nature of the plastic material, used polythene bags are nearly insurmountable to decompose them into the nature. As a result, its accumulation in space by means of space exploration, is contributing to the active issue of space garbage. Another issue is of global warming, which is abnormal heating of the globe, as a result of the carbon dioxide gas. Emissions from industries and factories are major contributors to this gas. Hence, I believe that these are non-negotiable issues that require the immediate attention.

In conclusion, even though the loss of various plants and animals species is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed, I believe that other environmental hurdles like plastic pollution and global warming are the prime issues that needs an immediate action.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a consistent opinion: other environmental problems, especially plastic pollution and global warming, are more pressing. The discussion of species loss is relevant and supported with the example of rhinos being hunted for their horns. However, the two sides are not developed equally. The species-loss paragraph focuses mainly on illegal hunting, while the other-problems paragraph names two issues but explains plastic pollution through space garbage, which is not clearly connected to the usual environmental impact of plastic, and gives only a brief account of global warming. Develop the consequences of each issue more directly and explain why they outweigh species loss. This would make the response more fully supported and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion that restates your position. Linking expressions such as “Nevertheless,” “For instance,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the argument, and the progression between the two perspectives is easy to identify. To strengthen cohesion further, avoid formulaic or repetitive signposting, particularly “Further discussion will discuss both notions,” which adds little and repeats the same idea. Some references are also unclear: “its accumulation in space” appears to refer to plastic, but the connection to space exploration is abrupt. Use clearer links between causes and consequences, and make pronouns refer unmistakably to the intended subject.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “extinction,” “endangered species,” “non-biodegradable,” and “carbon dioxide,” and these choices make the subject clear. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “at an alarming rate” and “require the immediate attention.” However, several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, including “more weightage,” “omnipresent creatures,” “vanished away its majority population,” and “active issue of space garbage.” These choices sometimes make the intended meaning less precise, even though the overall argument remains understandable. Aim for natural collocations and use environmental terms accurately; for example, explain plastic waste in oceans or landfills rather than introducing space debris without a clear link.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses beginning “as believed by many experts” and “Due to…,” and most sentences communicate the main point. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “other environmental issues that needs attention” should use a plural verb, while “the prime issues that needs an immediate action” has both agreement and article problems. In “the Great Indian Rhinos had been the omnipresent creatures, that once thrived,” the tense and relative-clause punctuation are not well controlled. Review subject–verb agreement, article use, and comma placement, then proofread longer sentences to ensure their clauses are complete and clearly connected.

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