Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-01

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)

It is said by many people that the loss of particular species of animals and plants is the main environmental problem of our time. In my opinion, pollution is the major environmental issue as it leads to increase in number of people affected by various diseases.

Air and water pollution are two major types of pollution which causes harm not only to humans, but also to other living organisms. Toxic gases released by factories during manufacturing processes pollute the air with many harmful compounds like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. These gases when inhaled, leads to life-threating diseases. In addition to this, the oxygen content of the air is reduced, so many people feel breathing issues like Asthma. Therefore, in recent times, many families keep oxygen measuring devices at their homes to check oxygen level of every family member regularly.

However, it is quite natural for many people to believe that loss of plants and animals species is the main environmental issue, as the loss of even a single species disturb the food chain completely. Suppose, in a jungle, a particular species of a deer gets extinct. Then, the animals which used to rely on this deer for food, will face hunger issues. Sooner or later, the population of these dependent animals will also decrease. Furthermore, the carnivore birds who ate fleshes of these land animals, will also have a hard time finding food. As a result, extinction of one species lead to reduction in population of many other species resulting in a completely disturbed food chain.

To conclude, it can be said that pollution is the main environmental issue of our time because it affects every living organism on Earth whereas the loss of any specific species will cause damage only in a particular region and not complete world.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the explanation of the food chain is logical, the argument regarding pollution is slightly underdeveloped, relying on general statements about health rather than broader environmental impacts. The conclusion attempts to justify the position by claiming pollution is a global issue while biodiversity loss is regional, which is a debatable point that could have been more effectively supported. Overall, the task is addressed, but the depth of analysis could be improved to reach a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition to this', 'Therefore', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader. There is a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. While some transitions are slightly mechanical, the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow. The use of referencing (e.g., 'these gases', 'these dependent animals') is generally accurate and helps maintain the flow of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task. The student uses some topic-specific terms like 'food chain', 'extinct', and 'toxic gases'. However, there are some instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'fleshes' (flesh is an uncountable noun) and 'life-threating' (should be 'life-threatening'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, but it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. More varied synonyms for 'environmental problem' or 'major' would enhance the lexical profile.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('pollution... which causes', 'gases... leads to', 'extinction... lead to') and minor punctuation or article usage errors. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. The student shows an attempt at complex structures, but the control over these is inconsistent. To improve, the student should focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and refining the use of plural/singular forms.

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