Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-21

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)

Evnvironmental problems are one of the most pressing and important problems of our society in recent times. There are many reasons that causes environmental issues, among them many believe that the loss of particular species of plants and animals plays the main role. On the other hand, a lot of people claim that there are more significant environmental problems. I belive, even though particular species and animals do play a role but environmental problems such as deforestation, chemical waste from factories, plastic etc are harming the environment more.

First of all, there are many important animals such as bees that plays a cruical role in flower reproduction. They move from flower to flower to make honey and they also help flowers and environment in general. Furthermore, some plant species are really important for our environment as they provide us with medical herbs or rare wood. The unregulated cutting of these trees creates a different problem that we are facing.

Secondly, environmental issues such as deforestation, chemical waste, plastic destroys our eco system. We have seen many deforestation around us to make a city or big projects. Due to that we can see a increase of tempreture around us. Furthermore, we can also see our lakes being contaminated with chemical wastes from big factories. This is worsening the quality of water that we use. Lastly, plastic is also one of the main reason which is harming the marine life in the sea. Many animals are suffering from it.

To conclude, environmental problem such as deforestation, chemical waste, plastic are more significant than the loss of particular species or plants and animals. However, problems like losing specific animals and plants are also noteworthy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a clear opinion: species loss matters, but you consider deforestation, chemical waste and plastic more significant. Relevant examples, including bees’ role in pollination and contaminated lakes, support the discussion. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the first view is brief, and the claim that species loss is less important is asserted rather than explained. Some examples also need clearer links to the comparison—for instance, explain how deforestation or pollution affects ecosystems on a wider scale than the loss of individual species. The conclusion restates your position and acknowledges the opposing concern. To strengthen the response, develop each view with fuller reasoning and make the basis for your judgement explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting the views, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “First of all,” “Secondly,” and “To conclude” help readers follow the progression. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and the second body paragraph lists several problems without showing how they connect or compare. The reference in “Due to that” is also vague, while “Furthermore” is repeated to add points rather than clarify their relationship. Use more precise links—for example, explain that tree removal raises local temperatures, then connect this to broader environmental damage. Clearer transitions between examples and more explicit comparisons would make the argument flow more naturally.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of environmental vocabulary, including “deforestation,” “chemical waste,” “contaminated,” “marine life,” and “particular species.” These terms make the topic clear, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, several choices are imprecise or repetitive: “important problems” appears in the opening, “plays a role” is vague, and “big projects” lacks specificity. There are also spelling errors such as “Evnvironmental,” “belive,” “cruical,” and “tempreture,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, describe species as “contributing to ecosystem stability” rather than simply “playing a role,” and use specific terms for the effects of pollution.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple sentences and some complex forms, including “even though” and “Due to that,” and your meaning is usually clear. However, errors in agreement, articles, plurals and sentence construction occur across the response. For example, “many reasons that causes” should use a plural verb, and “bees that plays” should use a plural verb as well. In “a increase of tempreture,” the article and noun phrase need correction; “plastic destroys” also does not agree with the plural list of environmental issues. The opening sentence beginning “I belive, even though…” is awkwardly joined and needs clearer punctuation or restructuring. Practise checking subject–verb agreement and building complete, well-punctuated complex sentences.

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