Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-18

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)

Some people say that the main environment 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 views and give your own opinion.

Environmental issues have become the major concern worldwide. Some individuals believe that the extinction of certain plants and animals is the major problem that environment is facing these days while others argue that climate change and pollution are more important issues to consider. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I support the latter view.

On the one hand, disapperance of certain species of plants and animals is conisdered the greatest threat to environment because they play a vital role in maintaining the eco-system. Their loss can significantly effect the food-chain and biodiversity. For example, bees are pollinators and their loss can reduce pollination which ultimately affects agricultural fields. Secondly, extinction of certain species also affect other species.

On the other hand, broader problems such as climate change and pollution are believed much more important issues to consider. Climate change can cause loss of habitat and it also increases global warming which can affect wildlife as well as humans. Pollution can cause significant health issues such as lungs problems, redness and irritation of eyes.

In my opinion, extinction of some species is one of the main environmental problems but other broaders problems need to be more concentrated because they can cause long-lasting problems and can affect all creatures.

In conclusion, both views are important to consider but the latter one need to be more focused because of their harmful effects to all human-beings.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state a clear preference for broader problems, especially in the introduction and conclusion. The examples about bees, climate change and pollution are relevant, but several points are only briefly explained: “Secondly, extinction of certain species also affect other species” is not developed, and the effects of pollution are listed without showing their wider environmental significance. Your opinion that broader problems affect “all creatures” could also be supported more precisely. The response is 248 words, so it falls two words short of the required 250; the 25 words copied from the task prompt are not counted. Develop the supporting explanations and ensure the response meets the minimum length.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, your opinion, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the discussion. However, progression within the body paragraphs is limited, particularly where the claim that species loss affects other species is left without an explanation or example. The opinion paragraph largely repeats the introduction and conclusion rather than advancing the reasoning. Some links are also mechanical, with “Secondly” introducing a point that is not fully connected to the preceding example. Build clearer links between each claim, its explanation, and its consequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “extinction,” “biodiversity,” “pollination,” “climate change,” and “global warming,” which makes the main ideas clear. There is some attempt at more specific environmental language, but word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or repetitive: “main environment problem,” “broader problems,” and “more concentrated” do not express the intended ideas naturally. Spelling errors such as “disapperance” and “conisdered” are noticeable, and “lungs problems” is an awkward phrase. These issues do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and control. Aim to use accurate collocations such as “environmental problem,” “focus more attention on,” and “lung problems,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “bees are pollinators and their loss can reduce pollination which ultimately affects agricultural fields.” The overall meaning is generally understandable, but errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur across the response. For example, “Their loss can significantly effect” should use a verb agreeing with the intended meaning and the correct grammatical form; “extinction of certain species also affect” needs subject–verb agreement, and “the latter one need” also requires agreement. Articles are missing in phrases such as “threat to environment.” Work on checking each subject and verb, and review article use. More accurate control of these patterns would make your varied sentences clearer.

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