Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-13

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)

some people argue that the extinction of particular species is a serious environmental problem. Others believe that there are other serious and pressing environmental concerns that are prior to be dealt with. I agree with the notion that extinction of plant and animal species can have serious consequences for our environment.

Every species plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, and eradication of one species affects the other species that depends upon them. For instance, the decline of bees and other pollinating insects can strongly affects the reproduction of many plants and can reduce aggricultural productivity. Furthermore, if one species become extinct or gets eradicated, it can not be restored naturally. So protecting endagered species is important to keep our biodiversity safe.

Also I believe that climate change is also responsible for the extinction of some of the particular species. For example, climate change is causing rising in temperature, glaciers are melting and sea level is rising. These changes not only threaten wildlife, but also human settlements, agricultural productivity and economics. Similarly, water pollution is another serious reason that some of our species are being eradicated. Also, deforestation is another major concern that is reducing biodiversity and habitat loss leading to climate change and extinction loss.

Concluding this, I strongly believe that if we all as a human beings protect our biodiversity and keep our climate clean, we can protect our particular species and save our habitats and climate, resulting in a better world and better environment for all the species.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the importance of biodiversity is well-supported with the example of bees, the second body paragraph attempts to cover too many issues—climate change, water pollution, and deforestation—without exploring any of them in sufficient depth. This leads to a list-like structure rather than a cohesive argument. To reach a higher band, you should focus on one or two key points and develop them fully with specific examples and logical consequences, rather than mentioning multiple environmental problems briefly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'For instance', 'Furthermore', and 'Similarly' are used to link sentences. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the concluding paragraph is a bit repetitive in its phrasing. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between the different environmental issues in the second body paragraph is somewhat abrupt. Improving the variety of cohesive devices and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall coherence of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'ecological balance', 'agricultural productivity', and 'biodiversity'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'prior to be dealt with' (should be 'priorities to be dealt with') and 'extinction loss'. Additionally, there are minor spelling errors like 'aggricultural' and 'endagered'. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure you are using words in their correct grammatical form. Expanding your range of topic-specific vocabulary beyond common terms will also help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'can strongly affects' (should be 'affect'), 'if one species become' (should be 'becomes'), and 'as a human beings' (should be 'as human beings'). There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic agreement and verb forms would significantly improve your accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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