Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-31

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)

It is argued that the reduction of major species of wildlife and plants is the major problem of present age while others believe that there are more important issues regarding environment. I partially disagree with the former way of thought and think that there are major hazards to our ecosystems and nature.

First of all, In my view people tend to focus on things that could not be recovered and are near to get extinct. While, this might have been true in the present due to the advancements in technology and the evolution of modern science we are far closer to getting to the end of this headache. For Example, Scientists around the globe especially in United States and China have started breeding species that went extinct like the giant Mammoth by only utilizing its fossils. Thus, if we just even preserve the remainings of the animals and plants it would be possible to bring them back to life.

Secondly, focusing on other problems should become a priority as the there are many vital problems to cater like deforestation. These types of issues are more destructive and as for deforestation it requires alot of effort to fight back. For instance, a forest with required 50 years to get to its full potential was cut down in only a matter of 6 months this shows the off-balance of the situation. So, raising voices for other major problems is also necessary.

To conclude, I think that it is pretty necessary to look into both opinions and while doing so a balance could be achieved which in turn would help fix the other problems also.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both views and provides a personal opinion, meeting the basic requirements of the prompt. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. The argument regarding 'de-extinction' as a solution to biodiversity loss is scientifically questionable and lacks depth, while the discussion on deforestation is brief and lacks a clear connection to why it is 'more important' than species loss. The position is clear, but the supporting arguments lack the analytical rigor expected for a higher band score. To improve, ensure that your arguments are logically sound and fully explored with more specific, relevant examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'First of all', 'Secondly', and 'To conclude', though some transitions feel a bit mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, although the flow between the introduction and the body paragraphs could be smoother. The use of 'While' at the start of a sentence is sometimes grammatically incomplete, which slightly disrupts the cohesion. Overall, the structure is functional and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a band 6.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'ecosystems', 'advancements', and 'potential', but the range is somewhat limited. There are also minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'headache' (which is too informal for an academic essay) and 'remainings' (the correct noun is 'remains'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'the reduction of major species... is the major problem of present age' (missing articles), 'near to get extinct' (incorrect collocation), and 'a forest with required 50 years' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but there are errors in sentence construction that occasionally impede the flow. The student demonstrates an attempt at complex structures, but these are often marred by errors, placing the performance firmly in the band 5.5 to 6.0 range.

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

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