Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Plants and animals are also a pivotal part of the environment along wth humans. Several problems arise due to the loss of plants and wildlife, but besides that, other factors are also involved, affecting the environment. Many people relate these problems directly with plants and animal lost species loss, while some have other opinions like gobal warming. I partly agree with both sides and believe that numerous factors are involved in environmental problems.

In our urge to modernize ourselves, we have cut down many forests, eventually affecting wildlife. To build high-rise buildings, wide roads, and elegant hotels, humans have cut down many mountain trees and many species of plants, which automatically causes a loss of plant variety. On the other hand, hunting is still legal in different countries, affecting the food chain.

Some people think that besides these factors, one of the most haunting causes is global warming, which directly affects wildlife, plants, and humans. The high release of automobile smoke, the flow of polluted water, and the cutting down of trees cause global warming. The ozone layer is being weakened due to this, causing direct entry of UV rays, which eventually causes cancer in humans. At the end, the environment is being affected badly.

From my perspective, I second both of the opinions, as global warming is directly connected with loss of wildlife and loss of plants as we can see abrupt changes in weather as well over the years. Almost 20 years ago, fresh water was available everywhere, andn healthy food was eaten by people, making them healthy. but all of a sudden, everything changed due to global warming.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views by discussing species loss and other environmental concerns, especially global warming, and you state a position: “I partly agree with both sides.” The examples of forest clearance, construction and hunting are relevant to species decline. However, the discussion is only partly developed: the second view is represented mainly by global warming, and the explanation of its causes and effects is not always accurate or clearly connected to the question. The final paragraph repeats that global warming and species loss are linked, but the claim about fresh water and healthy food changing “all of a sudden” is broad and unsupported. Develop each view with a clearer explanation and a specific, credible example, then make your own judgement more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs on species loss and other environmental problems, and a concluding personal view. This helps the reader follow the main topics. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and links between ideas can feel mechanical. For example, “On the other hand” introduces hunting, although it is another cause of species loss rather than a contrasting view. The final paragraph repeats points already made instead of drawing them together into a clear conclusion. Some references, such as “these factors,” are not fully precise. Use topic sentences that identify each side of the debate, and connect each example explicitly to the point it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant environmental vocabulary, including “wildlife,” “food chain,” “global warming,” “ozone layer” and “UV rays,” which allows you to discuss the topic. There are also attempts at more expressive wording, such as “pivotal part” and “haunting causes.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, including “plant and animal lost species loss,” “the flow of polluted water,” and “fresh water was available everywhere.” Spelling errors such as “wth,” “gobal” and “andn” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural collocations and avoid dramatic wording when a straightforward academic phrase is clearer. Proofreading for spelling and checking how environmental terms are commonly combined would improve control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “which” and cause-and-effect structures such as “which eventually causes cancer in humans.” Most of the main ideas remain understandable, but errors recur in sentence construction and punctuation. For example, “Many people relate these problems directly with plants and animal lost species loss” is difficult to parse, while “Almost 20 years ago, fresh water was available everywhere, andn healthy food was eaten by people” contains a faulty connection between clauses. The final “but” should not begin a sentence in this context without appropriate capitalisation, and the tense shift from past to “everything changed” is not clearly controlled. Practise building shorter, accurate sentences before adding subordinate clauses.

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