Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-27

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)

The extinction of various rare species of plants and animals is believed to the main environmental issue by many people. Whereas some people argue that there are more imminent threats to environment. I agree with the latter group as I believe there are more important issues.

People claiming the loss of special species of plants and animals the biggest environmental problem often hold this view as they believe that this loss is affecting our ecosystem to a great extent. Their concern is valid because the loss of particular plants' species is contributing to a decrease in food and nutrition sources. Resultantly, it is leading to famine and food shortage in various parts of the world Additionally, it is affecting the air quality. The destruction of animal habitats is affecting the environment in a way that the displaced animals die out or get hunted, which is resulting in extinction of various animals. People hold the view that these are the most concerning environmental issues right now.

On the other hand, there is a group of people that claims that there are worse and bigger problems affecting the environment currently. For instance, global warming, deforestation, urbanization and air pollution are considered imminent threats to environment. They believe that the loss of species of plants and animals is a by-product of these other bigger issues. It makes sense because increasing deforestation and urbanization has greatly affected the natural sites and hence extinction of a few rare species. Also, Global warming is increasing regularly every year, resulting in the depletion of ozone layer which is very dangerous for the environment. Similarly, Air pollution is affecting all of our ecosystem. People are suffering from lungs and breathing related diseases more than ever. We have to take proactive actions, not just personally but on state level, to promote green energy and sustainable activities.

To conclude, we are facing far more dangerous environmental issues right now than the loss of rare species of plants and animals. We have to work together for a healthier environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You discuss both views and state your position clearly: you consider species loss serious but argue that broader threats are more important. The paragraphs on ecosystem effects and on climate change, deforestation, urbanisation and pollution provide relevant support, including the example of habitat destruction. This meets the task well, though the two sides are not developed equally: the first view is mainly explained through food sources and habitat loss, while the second lists several threats without comparing their scale or consequences in much detail. The claim that global warming causes ozone-layer depletion also needs more accurate support. To strengthen the response, explain more precisely why the wider threats outweigh species loss and develop one or two examples rather than relying on a list.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion that restates your opinion. The progression from species loss to broader environmental threats is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the other hand” and “To conclude” help readers navigate the argument. However, some linking is mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “Additionally,” “Also,” and “Similarly.” A few references are also broad, such as “these are the most concerning environmental issues,” which could refer to several points. The sentence beginning “Whereas some people argue…” is a fragment, interrupting the opening paragraph’s flow. Use more varied transitions and clearer references, and connect each example explicitly to the paragraph’s main claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “ecosystem,” “habitats,” “deforestation,” “depletion,” and “sustainable activities.” These terms help you discuss both species loss and wider environmental concerns, and the meaning is generally clear. There are also some imprecise or unnatural combinations, such as “imminent threats to environment,” “loss of special species,” and “lungs and breathing related diseases.” “Resultantly” is an awkward choice in context, and “Global warming” and “Air pollution” are unnecessarily capitalised mid-sentence. Greater precision in collocations and more consistent academic phrasing would make the argument sound more controlled. For example, describe threats as “pressing environmental challenges” and refer to “respiratory illnesses” rather than using a less natural phrase.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including subordinate clauses such as “because they believe…” and “which is resulting in extinction.” Most sentences communicate their main meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. The opening “Whereas some people argue…” is a dependent clause without a main clause, and “the loss of particular plants’ species” has an awkward possessive construction. There are also article and agreement issues in “threats to environment” and “increasing deforestation and urbanization has greatly affected.” Punctuation is sometimes missing, as after “parts of the world,” and the comma before “not just personally” is not needed in that sentence. Review sentence completeness, articles, and subject–verb agreement while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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