Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-25

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 6.5)

People have different views about the causes of environmental problems. Some people believe that the loss of particular species and animals is the main environmental problem, whereas others argue that there are more serious environmental issues. In my opinion, although the loss of species is a serious problem, climate change, pollution and global warming are more important environmental concerns.

There are a number of major environmental problems in the world today. One of the most serious is climate change. As global temperatures continue to rise, ecosystems around the world are facing various problems. Global warming is one of the main causes of these issues. As a result, sea levels are rising, which can seriously damage natural ecosystems. In addition, rapid urbanization plays an important role in increasing environmental problems. For example, people often cut down trees to build houses and other infrastructure. As a result, large areas of forests are destroyed, which also has a negative impact on wildlife. Various forms of pollution, such as air and water pollution, also contribute significantly to environmental degradation.

On the other hand, the loss of different types of animals and species is also a serious environmental problem. Ecosystems depend on a balance between different species, and many animals depend on one another for their survival. Therefore, if a particular species becomes extinct, it can have a serious impact on other animals and plants. For this reason, other species may also become endangered in the coming years. Thus, the loss of species should not be ignored because it can cause long-term damage to the natural environment.

In conclusion, the loss of species can have a serious effect on the environment. However, I believe that climate change, pollution and global warming are more significant environmental problems. If these issues are not addressed properly, ecosystems will continue to deteriorate, and many animals and plants will suffer as a result.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Both views are discussed, and you provide relevant reasons for your opinion. The ideas are generally well-developed, though the discussion on climate change could be further extended with more specific examples or consequences to reach a higher band. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively summarizes your stance. To improve, ensure that the link between the loss of species and the broader environmental issues is more explicitly analyzed to show a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of these problems.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'For example', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore' to connect your points. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some of the transitions are a bit mechanical. To achieve a higher score, try to vary your cohesive devices and ensure that the relationships between sentences are more fluid, perhaps by using more sophisticated referencing or substitution techniques.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'environmental degradation', 'rapid urbanization', and 'natural ecosystems' are used correctly. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the frequent use of 'environmental problems' and 'serious'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms and less common collocations. For instance, instead of repeating 'serious', you could use 'critical', 'dire', or 'alarming'. Expanding your lexical range will help you convey your ideas with more nuance and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay shows a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. You successfully use conditional structures ('If these issues are not addressed...') and relative clauses. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To reach a higher band, aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, and ensure that your sentence variety is consistently high throughout the entire piece.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.