Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-29

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)

Many people argue that the major enviromental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. While some believe that there are more vital enviromental problem. I agree that the loss of particular species of plants and animals are main problem because of hazardeous material in water causing the damage to water species.

On the one hand, the loss of specific species of plants and animals is due to mixing of chemical waste from industries into rivers and canals. These chemcials make water harmful, and cause damage to species under water. For instance, in developing countries chemical based water is flow into the canals and rivers. There is no proper filtration plants which can make water safe from such kinds of chemicals. Although the effect of these chemicals can be controlled, if there is proper system installed.

On the other hand, there are several crucial enviromental problem like air pollution, climate change, and global warming. These issues are addressed properly in developing nations, due to the fact that necessary measures are taken to resolve them. For example, global warming is becoming the cause of melting of glaciers, which is affecting the infrastructure of nothern area of our country.

In conclusion, although climate change and pollution have serious consequences for the environment, I firmly believe that the extinction of particular species of plants and animals is the most important environmental problem. This is because biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecological balance, supporting human survival and preserving the natural world for future generations..

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You present a clear opinion in the introduction and conclusion: you consider species loss the most important problem. You also mention the alternative view through air pollution, climate change and global warming, so both sides are addressed. However, the discussion is only partially developed. The first view is linked mainly to chemical waste harming aquatic species, while the other environmental problems receive little explanation beyond a brief example about melting glaciers. The claim that these issues are “addressed properly in developing nations” is unclear and not supported. The response is also below the required 250 words: 23 words copied from the task prompt were not counted, and the response is 17 words short. Develop each view with clearer reasoning and relevant support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs signalled by “On the one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a conclusion. This helps the reader identify the two views and your position. However, progression within the paragraphs is limited, and some connections are unclear. For example, “Although the effect of these chemicals can be controlled” is left as a fragment and does not clearly connect to the preceding example. The statement that environmental issues are “addressed properly” also conflicts with the example of glacier melting unless you explain the relationship. Build each paragraph around a clear main point, then explain and illustrate it; use linking phrases to show the precise relationship between ideas rather than relying mainly on basic signposts.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “chemical waste,” “air pollution,” “climate change,” “melting of glaciers,” and “ecological balance.” These terms make the subject clear, and the conclusion includes some appropriate environmental language. However, the range is limited and several word-choice or spelling errors reduce precision: “enviromental” and “chemcials” are misspelled, while “chemical based water” and “northern area” are awkward or unclear expressions. Repetition of “particular species of plants and animals” also limits flexibility. Aim to use accurate collocations and vary references where possible—for example, “species loss” or “biodiversity decline”—and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help you explain environmental causes and consequences clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a conditional structure in “if there is proper system installed” and a relative clause in “which is affecting the infrastructure.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. The opening “While some believe that there are more vital environmental problem” is a sentence fragment; “the loss … are main problem” has subject–verb agreement and article errors; and “chemical based water is flow” has an incorrect verb form. The final sentence also ends with an extra full stop. Practise complete sentence construction, agreement, articles and verb forms, then proofread punctuation. Clearer control of these basics will make your ideas easier to follow.

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