Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-17
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 6.5)
There is an ongoing debate on whether losing particular species of animals and plants are the major environmental problem or there are other important problems. Some argue that the endangered species should be protected and considered the foremost priority, while others argue that there are several critical environmental issues that needs to be looked after before them. This essay will discuss about both these perspectives with relevant examples, before presenting my own opinion.
On the one hand, proponents of the endangered species argue that these species need to be protected as they play a major role in the ecosystem. This is primarly because for a sustainable ecosystem, lack of a single animal or plant species can hamper the cycle and disrupt it. In addition, other environmental factors can also be affected with the loss of the particular species. For instance, in a forest ecosystem, if the species of predators like tiger, lion, leopard and panther etc. are to decline then other species like deer, wild boar, and monkeys are bound to increase. As a result, resources cannot be sufficient for the animals and many may starve to death, in addition, the human civilizations can also be invaded by them for search of food and shelter.
On the other hand, critics contend that there are other environmental problems that need attention. This viewpoint is supported by the fact that there are other critical problems like global warming and pollution. Furthermore, these problems can be hazzardous if not solved early as it can lead to many disasters like, pandemic, flood and earthquake. For instance, the earth's ozone layer is depleting due to global warming, as a result, the sea level is rising due to the melting of ice and several countries near the oceans are sinking. Moreover, many disasters like tsunami, flood are also occurring consistently nowadays, primarily because of global warming.
In conclusion, while both perspectives have their own merits, I believe that it a common problem and should be tackled together rather than viewing them as separate issues. Both of them are critical environmental problems that can be disastrous if not supervised carefully. The governments along with the citizens should focus on these problems and an optimal solution should be adapted solving both of these crisis.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
You address both views and give a clear position: species loss matters, but environmental problems should be tackled together. The first body paragraph explains how predator decline can affect prey populations and human communities, while the second identifies warming and pollution as competing concerns. These relevant examples show the task is understood. To make the discussion more fully developed, explain more precisely how the examples support the claim that other problems are more important, and avoid unsupported causal claims—for example, linking global warming directly to earthquakes or pandemics. Your conclusion restates your view, but the proposed joint response remains general. A more specific comparison of the scale or consequences of the two kinds of problem would strengthen the argument.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The essay has a clear, effective structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. The progression is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” make the discussion’s direction clear. You also use cause-and-effect links, including “As a result,” to connect examples to consequences. At times, however, linking is somewhat mechanical or the relationship between claims is not fully clear. In the second body paragraph, the move from global warming to pandemics, floods, and earthquakes groups together effects without explaining their distinct causes. Develop the links between each claim and its evidence, and use referencing more precisely to avoid vague phrases such as “these problems.”
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “endangered species,” “ecosystem,” “global warming,” “pollution,” and “ozone layer.” Some less common choices, such as “proponents” and “depleting,” show an effort to express ideas precisely. However, several word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors reduce naturalness: “hazzardous” is misspelled, “adapted solving” is not an appropriate phrase, and “for search of food and shelter” is awkward. “Pandemic” is also an imprecise example of an environmental disaster in this context. Aim for accurate combinations and forms, such as “adopt a solution” and “in search of food and shelter,” and check spelling carefully. This would make your vocabulary more precise without requiring more elaborate words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures such as “if the species of predators … are to decline” and subordinate clauses introduced by “as” and “while.” Most meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “losing particular species … are” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “there are several … issues that needs” should use a plural verb. The phrase “it a common problem” is missing a verb, while “before presenting my own opinion” follows an awkward construction in the preceding sentence. Review agreement, complete clauses, and sentence punctuation; the long sentence beginning “For instance, in a forest ecosystem” would also benefit from clearer separation of its consequences. More consistent accuracy across these structures would improve control.
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