Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-30

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 6.0)

The rapid advancement of technology has had a profound impact on our world. We are now able to do things that we once never considered to be possible and this has raised our living standards significantly. However, there are always two sides to the same coin. Our improved standard of living comes at a huge cost to the environment. Global warming is a constant thorn weighing on our minds along with other issues such as deforestation and environmental pollution. These environmental problems also impact the natural habitats of numerous plants and animal species pushing them to the brink of extinction. While environmental issues and plants and animal life endangerment are both pressing issues, in my opinion, the former deserves much more attention than the later.

The extinction of various animals and plants species is undoubtedly a serious cause of concern. Due to the negative impacts on the environment that stem primarily from us humas, many species are facing habitat or food source loss and consequently facing existential threat. For example, human factories dumping waste to water bodies polluting aquatic life. Even the animals that drink from these water sources are affected. Furthermore, humans have invaded the habitats of many animals by building towns or residential areas which pushed the animals out of their habitats. Additionally, to create such residentital areas huge deforestation projects are carried out which results in loss of habitat for both plant and animal life.

While the plight of animals and plants cannot be ignored, I believe the more pressing issue are the environmental problems. This is because majority of the animals and plants issues stem from environmental issues themselves. So by tackling the root of the issue we would be alleviating both the problems. For example, if we were to try and contol our man made pollution levels this would reuslt in a healthier environment for all living being in the environment. So, while solving the environmental issue we are also moving towards the preservation of the endangered species thus hitting two birds with one stone.

Overall, while the confusion among which issues deserves more attention can be justified, in my opinion the answer is clear as choosing to tackle environmental issue efficiently tackles both situations at once.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal position. The ideas are relevant, though the development is somewhat repetitive. For instance, the argument that environmental issues cause species loss is sound, but the explanation lacks depth in terms of specific examples or nuanced analysis. The essay covers all parts of the prompt, but the discussion of 'more important environmental problems' is limited to a general mention of global warming and pollution. To reach a higher band, you should provide more concrete, distinct examples of why other environmental issues might be considered more critical than biodiversity loss, rather than just stating that one causes the other.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'For example' are used to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. For example, the phrase 'environmental issues' is used frequently, which makes the flow feel a bit circular. Improving the variety of cohesive devices and ensuring that each paragraph builds upon the previous one with more sophisticated logical links would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'profound impact', 'existential threat', and 'preservation'. However, there are several spelling errors ('humas', 'residentital', 'contol', 'reuslt') and minor collocation issues that slightly detract from the professional tone. The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using less common lexical items more accurately and ensure careful proofreading to eliminate basic spelling mistakes, which can distract the reader from your arguments.

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 slips, such as 'the more pressing issue are' (subject-verb agreement) and 'the later' (incorrect word choice for 'the latter'). Additionally, there are punctuation errors, such as missing commas in complex sentences. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that complex sentences are punctuated correctly to demonstrate better control over your grammatical range.

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

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