Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-22

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 5.0)

There is considerable debate over whether loss of particular plants and animals are the main environmental problems because they may cause pollution issues. However, others believe that there are many other crucial enivironmental problems. This essay will discuss both views and why i believe pollution is the main environmental concern.

On the one hand, a large number of the population and i believe that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and livelihoods. The main reason is that cutting of trees result in increasing population. For instance, the goverment are cutting down trees and destroying parks for making shopping palazas, industries and different residential areas. Therefore, factories and large buildings relase waste particles and smoke which result in pollution.

On the other hand, others people argue that there are more important environmental challenges such climate change,unplanned urbanization and poor waste mangement. They believe that authorities should address these concerns because these are creating challenges for individuals. For example, climate change can result in flooding in many areas of the world and many people loss their lives and houses. Consequently, the states should overcome these concerns by making dams and water managment teams for every city.

In conclusion, although climate change results in flooding which is a serious environmental concern, I believe that the decline in number of plants cause pollution problems which is far more important in recent times. The administerations should adopt a balanced approach by growing number of plants and trees and constructing dams.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You attempt to discuss both views and state an opinion, but the response only partially fulfils the task. The first view is confused: the essay shifts from species loss to “loss of particular species of plants and livelihoods,” then claims tree cutting increases population and leads to pollution, without clearly explaining why biodiversity loss itself is the main problem. The alternative view is more recognisable through climate change, urbanisation and waste, but these are not compared clearly with species loss. Your opinion also changes: the introduction identifies pollution as the main concern, while the conclusion prioritises declining plant numbers. The response is 237 words, 13 below the required minimum, which limits development. Clarify one consistent position and explain each view with relevant, accurate support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs signposted by “On the one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a conclusion. This helps the reader identify the intended discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the first body paragraph moves from species loss to tree cutting, population growth, construction and pollution without showing the links between these points. The conclusion also introduces a recommendation about dams that is not developed earlier. Connect each example directly to the view it supports, and use clearer referencing so the reader can follow what “these concerns” refers to. The linking phrases are useful, but the argument needs more consistent logical development.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant environmental vocabulary, including “climate change,” “unplanned urbanization,” “flooding” and “waste management,” which makes the topic clear. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, spelling and collocation errors reduce precision. For example, “loss of particular species of plants and livelihoods” appears to confuse livelihoods with wildlife, while “shopping palazas” and “relase” are misspelled. Phrases such as “increasing population” and “overcome these concerns” do not express the intended ideas naturally. Aim for accurate topic-specific terms and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish biodiversity loss from pollution and explain the environmental effects more clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a subordinate clause in “although climate change results in flooding,” and most of the main ideas remain understandable. However, errors are frequent, and some sentence patterns are faulty. For example, “loss … are” has subject–verb disagreement, “cutting of trees result” has agreement and article problems, and “others people argue” uses an incorrect plural form. The sentence beginning “a large number of the population and i believe” is difficult to follow, while “many people loss their lives” uses the wrong verb form. Capitalisation and punctuation also need attention, including “i” and missing spaces after commas. Practise accurate agreement and verb forms before adding more complex structures.

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