Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

In recent years, many problems are happening in the environment which led to global warming and climate change. Some believe that the main reason for this is due to the loss of some particular plants and animals. While, others think that there are many reasons besides that for such kind of environmental problems. This essay will determine what are the main reasons before reaching the concrete conclusion.

There are some reasons why the reduction of particular species of plants and animals is the main problem for environment. Cutting trees to build commercial buildings along with killing the animals who are native to the trees that leads to deforestation and global warming. Another reason is climate change, followed by global warming. By destroying the trees, the climate will change automatically and can harm the environment. For example, constructing buildings by destroying the forest but not planting plants can cause global warming. Furthermore, eruption of volcano can disrupt the landscape and may cause earthquake which will cause tsunami destroying the buildings in the path.

The solution to these cause is by growing trees. If people grow trees every week then these disasters may not occur.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response recognises that species loss is one environmental concern and attempts to explain how deforestation can affect the climate. However, it does not adequately discuss the opposing view that other environmental problems are more important, and it does not establish a clear, reasoned opinion. The paragraph about volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis is not connected convincingly to the comparison in the question. The proposed solution—“growing trees”—is also brief and does not develop either side of the discussion. In addition, the response is 193 words, below the required 250, so there is insufficient space to address the task fully. To improve, explain both viewpoints, state your own position clearly, and support each main point with relevant examples and explanation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic paragraph structure, and the opening signals that the essay will consider reasons before reaching a conclusion. Some linking expressions, such as “Another reason” and “Furthermore,” help connect points locally. However, the promised discussion is not completed: the response moves from species loss to volcanoes and then to a short solution paragraph without a clear progression between these ideas. The opposing view is mentioned in the introduction but is not developed in a separate, coherent section. Some connections are also unclear, particularly the link between species loss and the claim that volcanoes may cause earthquakes and tsunamis. Organise the essay around the two views, followed by a clear opinion, and use transitions that show how each point relates to the question.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses enough basic environmental vocabulary to communicate its general subject, including “deforestation,” “global warming,” “climate change” and “landscape.” There are also attempts to use more formal expressions, such as “native to” and “reaching the concrete conclusion.” However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, which limits clarity and flexibility. For example, “many problems are happening in the environment” and “such kind of environmental problems” are vague, while “the main reason for this is due to” is unnecessarily repetitive. “Concrete conclusion” is not a natural phrase in this context. Aim for precise topic vocabulary and natural collocations, such as describing species as “threatened” or “endangered,” and refer specifically to pollution, habitat destruction or resource use when discussing other environmental problems.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including a conditional sentence beginning “If people grow trees every week” and a clause introduced by “While.” However, control is uneven, and some sentence structures are faulty or incomplete. “While, others think…” is not correctly punctuated as a sentence opening, and “Cutting trees … along with killing the animals … that leads” has an unclear subject and faulty agreement. The sentence beginning “By destroying the trees” also shifts awkwardly from an introductory phrase to “the climate will change.” There are some straightforward sentences that remain understandable, but the complex attempts need more reliable construction. Practise making the subject of each clause explicit, checking subject–verb agreement, and using subordinate clauses without leaving fragments or unclear references.

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