Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

It is often argued that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals, while others believe that there are more important environmental problems. Before giving my own opinion, I will discuss both the given views with deep analysis.

To begin with, the extinction of plants and animals is the most serious environmental problem. In addition, both species (plants and animals) play a pivotal role in our survival, because plants provide us oxygen, while animals help plants to provide carbon dioxide to run environmental cycle. Moreover, the loss of species disrupt the the natural balance of the ecosystem. For example, prey and predators are very important for the maintenance of the ecosystem, so the extinction of the one specie can lead to the excess of the other which may cause of chaos.

On the other hand, other environmental problems such as, climate change, air pollution and water scarcity are more important. The primary reason is that change in weather effects large populations and many species simultaneously. For instance, climate change and air pollution can lead to various health issues such as, lungs problems and asthma, etc. This reason can cause to many fatalities. Moreover, these environmental changes exclusively water scarcity is major reason for the destructions of plants and animals species. For example, tropical heat and irregular rainfall can damage the crops and reduce water supply which can create challenges for the producers.

In conclusion, although biodiversity loss is dangerous for environment, I believe that air pollution and climate changes may be more dangerous and attention-seeking problem of environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and give a clear opinion in the conclusion, arguing that air pollution and climate change are more serious. The examples about predator–prey relationships and health effects are relevant, but several points need fuller explanation: for instance, the link between animals and plants in the carbon cycle is unclear, and the effects of water scarcity on producers are only briefly stated. The response therefore covers the task, but its ideas are limited and under-developed. It also contains 249 words, one word below the required minimum; the 18 words copied from the task prompt are not included in that count. Develop each main reason with a clearer explanation or a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “To begin with,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help signal the direction of the argument. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and linking phrases can feel mechanical. For example, “This reason can cause to many fatalities” does not clearly connect the preceding health effects to the next point, while “Moreover” introduces several different ideas without showing their precise relationship. Some references, such as “This reason” and “these environmental changes,” are also vague. Use clearer topic sentences and make each sentence’s connection to the central point explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “extinction,” “natural balance,” “ecosystem,” “climate change,” and “water scarcity,” which allows you to discuss both sides of the issue. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “play a pivotal role.” However, a limited range of expressions and several inaccurate or unnatural combinations reduce precision: “attention-seeking problem,” “cause of chaos,” and “destructions of plants and animals species” do not express the intended ideas naturally. Repetition of “environmental” and “problem” also limits flexibility. Aim to learn common collocations for environmental topics and choose words that convey the exact relationship you mean.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “because,” “while,” and “which,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors occur often enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. Examples include subject–verb agreement in “the loss of species disrupt,” the repeated article and noun phrase in “the the natural balance,” and the faulty construction “can cause to many fatalities.” The sentence about plants providing oxygen and animals helping plants provide carbon dioxide also has an unclear grammatical relationship between its clauses. Review agreement, articles, and verb patterns, then check each sentence for a complete and logically connected structure.

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