Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-30

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 7.0)

Some people argue that the major environmental issue currently is the loss of particular species of both plants and animals while others contend that there are more pressing environmental issues. Both sides of these arguments will be discussed in the upcoming paragraphs.

On one hand, various species of plants and animals are at an increasing risk of becoming extinct. Due to littering and pollution, many animals can get stuck or choke on non-biodegradable material such as plastic, resulting in their deaths. Overall, many endangered species, such as the Red Panda and the Amur Leopard, are soon to become extinct because of the lack of environmental care. If more precautions are not taken, more species could become extinct, resulting in the disruption of food chains and essentially the entire operation of many ecosystems.

On the other hand, these environmental issues not only effect flora and fauna, but the entire planet as well. Attributable to greenhouse gases released by vehicles, climate change is becoming more of a problem which in turn is effecting global warming as well. It has been reported that more glaciers and ice caps are melting because of the erratic increase in the temperature of the planet. This negatively impacts both the habitat of animals living in these environments but humans residing well.

In conclusion, it is vital that we do not undermine either one of these concerning problems caused by environmental neglect. Both are equally grave problems that we must address soon, otherwise we might be too late.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the loss of species and other environmental issues. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the Red Panda and Amur Leopard, the discussion on 'other' environmental problems is slightly generic, focusing primarily on climate change. To reach a higher band, you should provide more depth in your analysis of why these issues are considered 'more important' or how they compare in severity. Your own opinion is present in the conclusion, but it would be more effective if it were clearly stated in the introduction and woven throughout the body paragraphs to ensure a consistent position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' to signal the structure. However, the flow between sentences within paragraphs could be improved to create a smoother progression of ideas. For instance, the transition from discussing pollution to the impact on food chains is a bit abrupt. The use of referencing is generally clear, but increasing the variety of linking words would enhance the overall cohesion of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'non-biodegradable', 'endangered species', and 'erratic'. However, there are some noticeable errors in word choice, such as using 'effect' instead of 'affect' in the phrase 'not only effect flora and fauna'. Additionally, 'effecting global warming' is an incorrect collocation; 'contributing to' or 'exacerbating' would be more precise. To improve, focus on using less common lexical items with greater precision and ensure that collocations are accurate to convey your meaning more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. Most of your sentences are clear and easy to follow. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'humans residing well' which is slightly awkward; 'humans residing there' or 'human populations' would be better. Punctuation is generally accurate, and your control of complex structures is sufficient to communicate your ideas without difficulty. To reach a higher band, aim for a wider variety of complex sentence forms and ensure that minor errors in word order or preposition usage are minimized.

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