Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Many people believe that the crucial concern of environmental problem in today's time is the disappearance of various plants species. While another part of society think that there are various other significant environmental problems. In this essay, I will discuss both the views and give my personal opinion.
To commence with, it true that due to deforestation may plants species are distinguished or are in the edge of endanger. For instance, a survey held in 2024 by the forest ecologist they found more then 10 plants are in endanger such as Red sandalwood, Himalayan Yew, Pitcher plant etc.
Moreover, due to modernization the forest are being cut to make buildings and other infrastructure which leads to loss of various important plants.
On the other hand, people there are other plethora of environmental problems need to solve such as pollution, natural disasters, etc. Nowadays, people are using their own private transport which causes both air pollution and noise pollution. Furthermore, due to natural disasters like flood causes death or environment damage. So, government should focus on repair of dams and also built sewage system so that the water gets clear as soon as possible.
To conclude, in my personal opinion higher authorities must focus on the both issues as plants are also required for living and due to deforestation many important plants species has been lost. Whereas, other areas such as
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address both views, the conclusion is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence. The ideas presented, such as deforestation and pollution, are relevant but lack sufficient depth and supporting evidence to fully explore the prompt. To improve, ensure you provide a balanced discussion for both sides and a clear, fully articulated opinion. The under-length nature of the essay prevents a more thorough exploration of the topic, which is necessary for a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, and there is a basic attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand'. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete conclusion. Some transitions feel mechanical, and the logical flow is interrupted by the abrupt ending. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that connects back to the main argument. The lack of a finished conclusion makes the overall structure feel disjointed.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. You use some relevant terms like 'deforestation', 'infrastructure', and 'modernization', but there are errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'plants species are distinguished' (likely meaning 'extinct' or 'endangered') and 'need to solve' (should be 'need to be solved'). The repetition of basic vocabulary limits the score. To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to environmental issues.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There is a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. Frequent errors in grammar and punctuation are present, such as 'it true that', 'more then 10 plants are in endanger', and 'due to natural disasters like flood causes death'. These errors occasionally impede the clarity of your message. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement, the correct use of prepositions, and sentence construction. Proofreading for basic grammatical slips is essential to ensure your ideas are communicated clearly and professionally.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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