Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

People disagree on the most severe environmental threat. Some believe the extinction of specific plants and animals is the main danger. Others argue that larger issues like global warming and pollution demand more urgent attention. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and present an opinion.

The Loss of Plant and Animal Species:

Ecosystem Balance: Every species plays a specific role in maintaining a stable food web.

Ripple Effects: The extinction of one organism can cause entire ecological systems to collapse. For example, a drop in bee populations harms agriculture by reducing crop pollination.

Human Survival: Humans rely on biodiversity for medicines, clean air, and fertile soil. Losing these resources threatens human well-being. More Important Environmental Problems. Other people believe that broader global challenges are far more pressing.

Climate Change: Rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns cause widespread destruction. These changes lead to severe floods, droughts, and loss of human life.

Pollution: Industrial waste contaminates oceans and air on a massive scale. This harms both marine life and human health directly.

Root Causes: Issues like deforestation and carbon emissions drive both climate change and species loss simultaneously.

Personal Opinion:

In my opinion, while the loss of species is a devastating tragedy, broader issues like climate change and pollution pose a greater and more immediate threat to the entire planet. Species extinction is often a symptom of these larger environmental disasters. Addressing global warming and habitat destruction protects both human futures and overall biodiversity.

so this is my opinion for environmental problem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. However, the format is problematic. The use of bullet points and headers (e.g., 'The Loss of Plant and Animal Species:') is inappropriate for an IELTS Academic Task 2 essay, which requires formal prose. While the ideas are relevant and the position is consistent, the lack of full paragraph development and the reliance on a list-like structure significantly limits the depth of the argument. To reach a higher band, you must integrate these points into cohesive, well-developed paragraphs using full sentences and linking phrases.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a standard paragraph structure. By using headers and bullet points, the flow of the argument is fragmented rather than fluid. While there is a logical progression of ideas, the mechanical nature of the presentation hinders the overall coherence. Cohesive devices are largely absent because the text is presented as a list rather than a cohesive essay. To improve, you should remove all headers and bullet points, and use transition words such as 'furthermore', 'consequently', and 'on the other hand' to connect your sentences and paragraphs naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally accurate and relevant to the topic, including terms like 'biodiversity', 'ecological systems', and 'carbon emissions'. However, the range is somewhat limited due to the note-taking style of the writing. There is little evidence of sophisticated collocation or idiomatic language. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate more varied and precise vocabulary within full, complex sentences, and avoid repeating simple structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammar within the individual points is generally accurate, and there are few errors in basic sentence construction. However, the range of structures is severely restricted because the response is written in fragments rather than complete, complex sentences. There is no opportunity to demonstrate control over a variety of grammatical forms, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, in a natural, flowing context. You need to focus on writing full, complex sentences that demonstrate a wider range of grammatical structures.

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

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