Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-24

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)

Nowadays, the main environmental problem is the loss of biodiversity in plants and animals. Some people have a firm belief in this stance which is true to some extent. But we cannot describe this as the main problem. There are many associated problems which give rise to this major problem.

There are numerous environmental problems which include deforestation, pollution, overpopulation, urbanization etc. These problems may seem negotiable at a small level but cannot be neglected at a higher level. Pollution is the major obstacle which directly affects all the living organisms to a great extent. It is dangerous not only for humans but also for plants and animals.

Overpopulation is the second most important problem which has become a headache for everyone. Moreover, during recent decades, the population has increased to a greater extent which leads to overpopulation. Urbanization is the key factor which is contributing towards deforestation. Housing for enormous population requires a greater space that ultimately leads to wood cutting. Deforestation is increasing to fulfill the requirements of this highly populous world during the recent years.

Deforestation has greatly affected the lives of many plants and animals. The habitat of various animals has lost due to excessive deforestation. In the recent years, there

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify biodiversity loss as important and introduce other environmental concerns, especially pollution, overpopulation and deforestation. The links between urbanisation, tree removal and habitat loss are relevant, but the response does not fully discuss both views: the case for species loss being the main problem is not developed, and the alternative view is mainly a list of problems rather than a comparison of their importance. Your own position is also unclear; “true to some extent” is followed by “we cannot describe this as the main problem,” without explaining which problem you consider most serious. The response also stops mid-sentence and does not meet the 250-word minimum, leaving the argument and examples incomplete. Develop both sides and state a clear, supported opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, and there is a generally understandable sequence from environmental problems to the effects of deforestation on wildlife. Linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “Ultimately” help show relationships between ideas. However, the overall progression is limited: the second and third paragraphs introduce several problems without clearly organising them around the two views in the question. The repeated use of “problem” and “Moreover” also makes the connections feel somewhat mechanical. The final paragraph begins to connect habitat loss with biodiversity decline, but ends abruptly at “In the recent years, there,” so the conclusion and overall direction are missing. Group ideas by viewpoint, use clearer referencing, and complete the final paragraph.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “biodiversity,” “deforestation,” “habitat,” “urbanization” and “living organisms.” These terms make the subject clear, and phrases such as “directly affects” communicate cause and effect. There are also attempts at more formal expression, for example “a firm belief in this stance.” Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, however: “negotiable” does not fit the intended meaning of problems that can be overlooked, and “wood cutting” is less suitable than a standard term for forest removal. “A headache for everyone” is conversational for an academic essay, while “to a greater extent” is repeated without adding precision. Aim for accurate collocations and a more consistently academic register.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple sentences and more complex structures, including the relative clause in “which is contributing towards deforestation” and the cause-and-effect construction “which ultimately leads to wood cutting.” Most of the meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical errors and awkward constructions are present, though. In “The habitat of various animals has lost,” the passive form is incomplete; use “has been lost” or “has been destroyed.” The sentence beginning “Moreover, during recent decades” repeats the idea of population increase, and its tense and phrasing could be controlled more clearly. The final fragment, “In the recent years, there,” is incomplete. Practise accurate passive forms, articles and complete sentence boundaries, while varying sentence patterns.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.