Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
Some people argue that the major environmental issue today is the loss of specific species of plants and animals, while others believe there are more pressing environmental challenges. This essay will explore both viewpoints before presenting my own opinion.
On one hand, the extinction of certain plant and animal species is considered by many to be a critical concern. Biodiversity plays a key role in maintaining the balance of natural ecosystems. The disappearance of even one species can disrupt food chains, affect human agriculture, and harm the overall environment. For example, the decline of bee populations due to pesticide use has serious consequences for pollination and crop production. Additionally, the loss of rare plants and animals often results from human activities like deforestation and illegal hunting, which highlights our destructive impact on nature.
On the other hand, others argue that broader environmental issues such as climate change, air and water pollution, and global warming are more urgent. These problems affect not only wildlife but also human survival and global stability. For instance, rising temperatures and sea levels threaten entire communities and create extreme weather conditions. Moreover, polluted air and water lead to serious health problems and reduce the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. These issues often have wide-reaching impacts and require immediate international action.
In my opinion, while the extinction of species is deeply concerning, larger environmental problems like climate change and pollution pose more serious threats. These problems are interconnected and must be addressed to preserve both biodiversity and human life.
In conclusion, although the loss of certain species is a significant environmental problem, I believe issues like climate change and pollution are more critical due to their global impact on all forms of life.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the mention of bee populations regarding biodiversity and the broader impact of climate change on human survival. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more depth in the analysis of why these issues are interconnected, perhaps by explaining how habitat loss is a direct driver of climate change, thereby bridging the two arguments more effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses terms like 'biodiversity,' 'ecosystems,' 'pollination,' and 'global stability' correctly. While the range is sufficient to convey ideas precisely, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate it to a band 8 or 9. The word choices are natural and there are no errors in collocation or spelling that impede communication. It is a solid performance that demonstrates good control over the topic-specific vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Examples of complex structures include 'The disappearance of even one species can disrupt food chains, affect human agriculture, and harm the overall environment.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writing is clear and error-free for the most part, which is indicative of a strong command of English grammar. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, contributing to the overall readability of the response.
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.