Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-19

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)

Many individuals talking about the important environmental issue of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Environmental problems have become a major concern worldwide. While some people believe that the extinction of plant and animal species is the most serious issue, others argue that environmental challenges are more significant.

Nowadays many crucial problem of lose this endangered species in the environment is due to some waste material

and unhealthy water which can be drank by this species. On the one hand, the loss of biodiversity has serious

consequences for the planet.

. For example, the disappearance of bees can reduce pollination, affecting food production. Moreover, extinction can disrupt food chains and threaten the survival of other species.

On the other hand, some environmental problems, such as climate change, air pollution, and water scarcity, have wider impacts on human life. Air pollution causes health problems, while global warming leads to rising temperatures and extreme weather. These issues can affect millions of people and damage ecosystems.

In my opinion, although the loss of biodiversity is a serious concern, climate change and pollution are equally important because they threaten both humans and wildlife. Therefore, governments should promote renewable energy, protect natural habitats, and encourage sustainable practices.

In conclusion, all environmental problems require urgent attention, and international cooperation is essential to protect our planet.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and give a clear opinion: biodiversity loss is serious, while climate change and pollution also threaten people and wildlife. The bee example usefully explains how species loss can affect food production, and you identify consequences such as disrupted food chains. However, the discussion is brief and uneven: the opening explanation about waste and unhealthy water is unclear, and the wider environmental problems are mostly listed rather than supported with specific examples. The conclusion restates your position but does not develop it further. The response is 212 words, so it is 38 words below the required minimum; this limits how fully you can explain and support the ideas. Develop each side with a clear cause-and-effect example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, paragraphs presenting the two views, your opinion, and a conclusion. Linking phrases such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the argument. However, progression within the first body paragraph is disrupted by the unclear opening sentence and the isolated full stop before “For example.” The transition from the claim about waste and unhealthy water to biodiversity’s wider consequences is not explained, so the paragraph feels like separate points rather than a developed line of reasoning. The final opinion and conclusion also repeat similar ideas. Use clearer links between claims and examples, and organise each paragraph around one main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “biodiversity,” “pollination,” “food chains,” “water scarcity,” and “renewable energy.” These terms help communicate the subject and show some range beyond basic environmental language. However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward, such as “important environmental issue,” “lose this endangered species,” and “unhealthy water which can be drank by this species.” “Crucial problem” is also not formed naturally in “Nowadays many crucial problem.” These expressions sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to follow. Aim for precise collocations and check word forms: for example, describe “the loss of endangered species” and “contaminated water that animals may drink.” Adding a few more precise terms would also help you explain the causes and consequences of each problem.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast clause beginning “While some people believe…” and a reason clause in “because they threaten both humans and wildlife.” Several sentences are clear, particularly the examples about air pollution and global warming. However, errors recur in basic sentence construction and agreement. The opening, “Many individuals talking about the important environmental issue…,” is not a complete, well-formed sentence; “Nowadays many crucial problem” also has a singular/plural mismatch. The phrase “which can be drank” uses an incorrect verb form, and the standalone full stop before “For example” disrupts punctuation. Practise complete sentence patterns, subject–verb agreement, and past participles, then proofread punctuation and articles.

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