Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-12

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 7.5)

While some individuals argue that the extinction of specific plant and animal species represents the most critical ecological crisis today, others believe that alternative issues pose a greater threat to our planet. This essay discusses both perspectives and presents my own view that global warming is a far more pressing concern because it directly accelerates biodiversity loss alongside other catastrophes.

On the one hand, proponents of prioritizing biodiversity argue that ecosystem stability relies heavily on individual species. Every organism plays a distinct role within a complex food web. When a specific plant or animal goes extinct, it can trigger a domino effect that disrupts an entire ecosystem, eventually impacting human survival. For instance, the drastic decline of bee populations worldwide threatens global agriculture and food security due to a lack of pollination. Therefore, losing specific species can have immediate, devasting consequences for planetary health.

On the other hand, many experts believe that micro-environmental issues demand more urgent attention. Problems like climate change, industrial population, and widespread deforestation affect the entire biosphere rather than isolated ecosystems. Global warming, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, causes rising sea levels, severe droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns that displace human populations and destroy natural habits on a massive scale. Compared to the loss of a single species, these overarching crises threaten the survival of all life on Earth.

In my opinion, while biodiversity loss is undeniably serious, it is largely a symptom of these broader environmental problems. Addressing climate change automatically helps protect endangered plants and animals by preserving their natural habitats. For example, tackling rising ocean temperatures is the only viable way to save marine species like coral reefs from irreversible bleaching. Consequently, international efforts and funding should be directed primarily toward combatting global warming to solve multiple environment crises simultaneously.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives regarding the importance of species extinction versus broader environmental issues like climate change. Your own position is established in the introduction and maintained consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the point that biodiversity loss is often a symptom of larger climate-related issues. The use of relevant examples, such as the decline of bee populations and the bleaching of coral reefs, effectively supports your claims. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the prompt requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views and your own opinion is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'For instance,' and 'Consequently,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'ecological crisis,' 'domino effect,' 'biosphere,' and 'irreversible bleaching' show a strong command of topic-specific language. There is a high level of accuracy in word choice and collocation. While the vocabulary is sophisticated, it remains natural and fits the academic tone of the essay perfectly. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation that would impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'While some individuals argue that..., others believe that...' and 'Global warming, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, causes rising sea levels...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader, and the overall structure of the writing is sophisticated and well-managed.

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