Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-24

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 8.5)

Environmental degradation has become one of the most pressing global concerns, and while some argue that species extinction represents the most serious environmental issue of our time, others contend that different challenges pose an even greater threat. This essay will discuss both perspectives before presenting my own opinion.

Those who view species loss as the primary concern often point to the irreversible nature of extinction. Once a species disappears entirely, it can never be restored, and this loss can have significant, unpredictable consequences for entire ecosystems. Many species play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance — for instance, bees are essential pollinators, and their declining numbers due to habitat loss and pesticide use threaten not only biodiversity but also global food production. Advocates of this view argue that protecting endangered species should therefore be treated as an urgent priority, since failing to act could permanently and irreparably damage the natural world.

However, others argue that broader environmental problems, such as climate change, deforestation, and plastic pollution, pose a far greater and more immediate threat to the planet as a whole. These issues are often seen as root causes that directly contribute to species loss in the first place, rather than standalone problems. Rising global temperatures, for example, are altering natural habitats at an unprecedented rate, displacing countless species and disrupting entire ecosystems. Similarly, plastic pollution in oceans has been shown to harm marine life extensively, while also posing indirect health risks to humans through the food chain. Proponents of this view argue that tackling these broader systemic issues would naturally help protect biodiversity as a secondary benefit, making them a more efficient use of limited environmental resources.

In my opinion, while species loss is undeniably a serious and tragic issue, it is ultimately a symptom of larger environmental problems rather than the root cause itself. Addressing climate change and pollution more broadly would likely have a greater overall impact, since these issues are deeply interconnected with biodiversity loss, alongside numerous other environmental consequences that extend well beyond wildlife alone.

In conclusion, both viewpoints highlight genuinely important environmental concerns. However, I believe that tackling larger, systemic issues such as climate change and pollution should take precedence, as doing so would likely address species loss as part of a broader, more effective environmental solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both viewpoints regarding species loss versus broader environmental issues like climate change and plastic pollution. Your own position is established in the introduction and maintained consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples such as bees as pollinators and the impact of rising temperatures on habitats. The conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments and reinforces your stance. The response is balanced, logical, and directly answers the task requirements with sufficient depth.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints and your own opinion is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'for instance', 'similarly', and 'however' to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your argument. The flow of the essay is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is always clear, which makes the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'irreversible nature of extinction', 'unprecedented rate', and 'systemic issues' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic context and helps to convey your arguments effectively. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to meet the requirements for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors throughout the text. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is excellent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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