Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In the current societal landscape, the environmental problems have become a talk of the town. While a significant proportion of people believe that the most important ones are the loss of specific varieties of fauna and flora, others argue that there are other more important issues to discuss than these. From my perspective, although the presence of particular habitats plays an essential role in conserving the biodeversity, I strongly support the latter argument that there are other alarming factors contributing to environmental problems that needs to be focused.

On the one hand, there is no doubt that certain types of plants and animals contribute signifanctly sustainability and conservation of ecosystems. They play an important role in natural cycles, and loss of fauna and flora disrupts the ecosytem. Moreover, particular species are essential for the agriculture sector. For instance, sparrows are the predators of pests, and the loss of them is more likely to increase the population of these pests. Consequently, the crop production decreases and the overall economy suffers.

On the other hand, there are numerous other environmental problems that needs urgent attention. The burning of fossil fuels is the leading of cause of the emission harmful gases into the atmosphere. Hence, it leads to air pollution and results in several health issues to the people breathing in this toxic air. Furthermore, excessive application of modern agricultural practices and pesticides to control pathogens is leading to soil degradation. Eventually, the organic layer of soil is depleting day by day. In addition, the disposal of industrial and household wastes into streams and rivers is affecting the marine habitats and water quality.

In conclusion, while many people argue that the loss of habitat is the major environmental issue, I firmly believe that there are other leading factors that needs to be focused.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a clear preference for the view that other environmental problems are more important. The examples of sparrows and pests, fossil-fuel emissions, soil degradation, and waste pollution are relevant and show a sound understanding of the topic. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the species-loss argument is mainly explained through one agricultural example, while the other problems are listed with limited comparison of their relative scale or urgency. The conclusion also refers to “loss of habitat,” although the task focuses on the loss of particular species, and it largely repeats your position rather than drawing the discussion together. To strengthen the response, explain more fully why the problems you favour have wider or more serious consequences.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall progression: the introduction presents the debate and your view, the two body paragraphs discuss opposing positions, and the conclusion restates your stance. Paragraphing is appropriate, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the argument. Within paragraphs, ideas generally move logically from a claim to an explanation or example. Some linking is a little mechanical, however, and the second body paragraph reads partly as a sequence of separate problems joined by “Furthermore,” “Eventually,” and “In addition.” More explicit links showing how these issues compare with species loss would create a stronger line of argument. Keep references precise too: the conclusion’s shift from species loss to “loss of habitat” slightly weakens continuity.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a relevant range of environmental vocabulary, including “ecosystems,” “fossil fuels,” “soil degradation,” “pesticides,” and “marine habitats.” These terms help communicate the subject clearly, and phrases such as “toxic air” and “natural cycles” show an attempt to use more specific language. Some collocations and word choices are inaccurate or awkward, including “a talk of the town,” “contribute significantly sustainability,” and “the leading of cause.” There are also spelling errors in “biodeversity,” “signifanctly,” and “ecosyetm,” which reduce precision. Aim for natural academic collocations and check spelling carefully; this would make your vocabulary more flexible and controlled while preserving the clear meaning of your ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in the introduction (“although…”), a conditional-style consequence (“the loss of them is more likely to increase…”), and cause-and-effect structures with “Hence” and “Consequently.” Most sentences remain understandable, and the errors do not prevent the reader from following your argument. Some grammatical inaccuracies persist, particularly subject–verb agreement: “other alarming factors … needs” and “problems that needs” should use “need.” There are also missing or misplaced grammatical elements in phrases such as “contribute significantly sustainability” and “the emission harmful gases.” Review agreement and the structure of verb and noun phrases, then proofread complex sentences to improve accuracy without avoiding them.

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