Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-04

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)

There is a long-lasting debate regarding increasing environmental problems in recent years. A group of individuals believe that the main problem is due to the extinction of native species of plants and animals, while others believe there are more environmental peoblems. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe that other issues are responcible for this concern.

One the one hand, advocates that claim extinction of various types of plants and animal are main problem of this particular concern. When the ecosystem of a region is disturbed, the plants and other native species are responcible. For instance, food chain will be disturbed, it lead to the disturbance in system

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response3.5
Coherence and Cohesion4.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall4.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The introduction identifies the two positions—species extinction and other environmental problems—and signals that you will give your opinion. However, the response stops before fully discussing either view: the first body paragraph begins to explain how ecosystem disruption affects food chains, but the example and reasoning are unfinished, and the opposing view is not developed at all. Your own position is also only hinted at in the phrase “I believe that other issues are responsible”; no other issues are named or explained. The response is substantially below the required length, which leaves the task only minimally addressed. To improve, complete both sides with specific examples, explain your opinion, and support each main point with clear reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic overall structure: an introductory paragraph presents the topic, followed by a body paragraph beginning with “On the one hand.” The contrast signalled by “while others” also helps establish the essay’s direction. However, progression is very limited because the response ends mid-explanation, and there is no paragraph presenting the other view or a conclusion. Some linking is also awkward: “One the one hand” is an incomplete form of the expected signpost, while “For instance” introduces an example that is not completed. Develop a clear sequence of paragraphs—introduction, each view, your opinion, and conclusion—and use linking phrases to show how each idea relates to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “extinction,” “native species,” “ecosystem,” and “food chain,” which makes the subject clear. There is also an attempt at more formal phrasing in “long-lasting debate” and “advocates.” However, the range is limited by the short response, and several word-choice or spelling problems reduce accuracy: “environmental peoblems” and “responcible” are misspelled, and “plants and animal are main problem” is imprecise and awkwardly expressed. “This particular concern” is also vague. Build a wider set of accurate environmental terms and check spelling; use precise phrases such as “biodiversity loss” and name the alternative problems you intend to discuss.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes both simple statements and an attempt at a complex sentence, such as “A group of individuals believe … while others believe …,” showing some structural variety. However, control is uneven. In “One the one hand, advocates that claim extinction … are main problem,” the opening phrase and clause structure are incomplete, and the subject–verb relationship is unclear. “When the ecosystem of a region is disturbed, the plants and other native species are responsible” does not express a complete, logical grammatical relationship, while “it lead to the disturbance” has an agreement error. The final sentence is also unfinished. Practise complete clauses, subject–verb agreement, and articles, then proofread each sentence to ensure it is grammatically complete.

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