Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-17

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)

This essay highlights the two different opinions about the environmental problems. One group of people mentioned that the central environmental issue of this era is the loss specific groups of the plants and animals. While the other side points that we are facing more crucial challenges in our environment than biodiversity. Both these opinions are widely accepted and valid, but I think the former one need to be dealt more wisely.

On the one hand, our environment is facing challenges like global warming and ozone layer depletion; both of these issues are very serious and long lasting. It is crystal clear that global warming cause floods and heat waves which leads to lost of lives and habitats of humans and other species. Ozone layer depletion is a matter of high attention, because it is responsible for causing skin cancer.

Conversely, the loss of species cause not only the lost of specific group of animals or plants but also breakage of the food chain. When one specific specie is removed from the environment it make sure the deficiency of consumers or producer of a specific food. For instance, the extinction of cats in a society will affect both dogs and rats; There will be an extinction of dogs, but increase in number of rats. This illustrates the importance of particular species of plants and animals.

To conclude in, I agree with the both opinions as both are damaging the environment in their own ways; so I assert that damage to a specific group of animal or plants can cause more damage to the environment than ozone depletion and global warming.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the explanation of the food chain is simplistic and the example regarding cats and rats is not scientifically accurate or particularly relevant to the broader environmental debate. While the prompt asks for a discussion of 'more important' environmental problems, the response focuses heavily on global warming and ozone depletion without fully exploring why some might consider these more urgent than biodiversity loss. To reach a higher band, you should provide more nuanced arguments and ensure your examples are logical and well-supported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Conversely,' and 'To conclude in.' However, some transitions feel mechanical, and the concluding phrase 'To conclude in' is grammatically incorrect. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more natural, sophisticated connection between ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be strengthened by using a wider variety of linking words to connect supporting points more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, such as 'biodiversity,' 'depletion,' and 'extinction.' However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'loss specific groups' (missing 'of'), 'breakage of the food chain' (disruption is better), and 'make sure the deficiency' (which is unclear). There is also a tendency to repeat words like 'specific' and 'damage' rather than using synonyms. To improve, focus on learning collocations and using more precise academic vocabulary to convey your ideas more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity, such as 'the former one need to be dealt' (needs), 'global warming cause' (causes), and 'leads to lost of lives' (loss). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are errors in subject-verb agreement and article usage throughout the text. To achieve a higher score, you need to demonstrate more consistent control over complex structures and reduce the frequency of basic grammatical slips.

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

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