Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-13

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 thought that the main environmental problem of this era is the loss of particular species of plants and animals and the others say that there are more important problems for environment. In my opinion the loss of some particular species of animals and plants is a major problem in this time but there are many other crucial problems for the environment like different types of pollution.

Firstly, the people say that the main problem to environment is the decrease in number of different species did not focus on the other things. They are right in some sense because before 2000 there are several species of animals in our forests but these animals are no longer lives in the forests, we saw these animals only in zoo. A month ago Government of Pakistan published his report about the animals in which he claims that we loss 27 species of animals due to the decrease in water level in our rivers, the government also claims that for the shortage of the water in rievrs we also loss many species of the plants. If there is the shortage of plants and trees then we cannot survive in the future and did not get the fresh and pure air.

Secondly, the people whon are worried about the other problems of the environment say that the Air pollution, Water pollution, sound pollution, and the loss of birds are the main problems to our environment because we can survive without animals and plants but if our envirnoment is polluted then we cannot survive.

In conclusion, i must say that the the other things like pollution and the loss of the birds are the major problems to our environment and the loss of animals and plants are not the main problem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and give a position, so the response addresses the main parts of the task. The first body paragraph explains why species loss matters, using the examples of animals disappearing from forests and plants being affected by water shortages. However, the discussion of the opposing view is much less developed: pollution is listed, but there is little explanation of how it compares in importance with species loss. Your position also shifts: the introduction calls species loss a major problem alongside pollution, while the conclusion says it is not the main problem. Clarify which problem you consider most serious and support that judgement with a reasoned comparison. The Pakistan report is relevant, but its claims need clearer explanation or context.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs signalled by “Firstly” and “Secondly,” and a conclusion. This helps the reader identify the two views. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven: the first body paragraph moves from species decline to water shortages and then to the need for clean air without clearly connecting each point. The second paragraph mainly lists types of pollution and makes a broad claim, rather than developing a sequence of reasons. Some linking is repetitive or mechanical, and references such as “the other things” are vague. To improve, organise each paragraph around one main claim, explain it, and then show how the example supports it; use clearer transitions to compare the two positions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “species,” “water level,” and “Air pollution” and “Water pollution,” so the reader can follow the general subject. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repeated, particularly “main problem” and “environment.” Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “problems for environment,” “decrease in number of different species,” and “loss of the birds.” Spelling errors, including “rievrs” and “envirnoment,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise environmental vocabulary and check spelling carefully. For example, distinguish between species becoming extinct, habitat loss, and pollution, rather than relying on broad phrases such as “other things.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including conditional structures such as “If there is the shortage of plants and trees then we cannot survive in the future.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors in tense, agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur frequently enough to make some passages difficult to read. For example, “before 2000 there are” shifts tense incorrectly, while “these animals are no longer lives” combines incompatible verb forms. In “the people … did not focus,” the tense and structure are also unclear. Practise keeping verb forms consistent and building longer sentences around a clear subject and verb. More accurate sentence boundaries and punctuation would make your ideas easier to follow.

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