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)

Some people believe that the loss of plant and animal species is the most serious environmental problem today, while others assert that other environmental problems that may be more important. This essay will discuss both views before explaining my opinion.

There are several reasons why some people consider species loss to be the most serious environmental problem today. The main reason is deforestation. When forests are cleared for industrial development, many animals and plants lose their natural habitats. This can eventually lead to the extinction of many plants and animal species. As a result, it shows a massive change on the environmental concerns. Another important factor is excessive hunting. Excessive hunting can also reduce the populations of certain animals and disrupt food chains. When one species disappears, other species that depend on it for food may also be affected.

However, others argue that environmental problems such as climate change are more serious than species loss. Firstly, greenhouse gas emissions are mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change. Secondly, global warming is the most dominant challenge. Industrial expansion can contribute to deforestation and increase greenhouse gas emissions. As global temperatures rise, sea levels increase, glaciers and ice sheets melt, and extreme weather events become more frequent.

In conclusion, some people consider that the loss of species is the major environmental problems because of deforestation and hunting, while others assert that there are more issues, such as climate change are more important. In my view, climate change is the greater threat because it has consequences for ecosystems, human societies and the global economy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all parts of the task by discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically grouped. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, while you mention deforestation and hunting as causes of species loss, the explanation of why these are the 'most serious' problems could be more deeply explored. Similarly, the argument for climate change is clear but could benefit from more specific examples or a more nuanced explanation of its long-term impact on biodiversity. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is fully extended with concrete reasoning or illustrative examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For example, the transition between the discussion of deforestation and hunting in the second paragraph is abrupt. Additionally, the referencing in the conclusion is slightly repetitive. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that ideas flow more naturally from one to the next will help elevate your score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'industrial development', 'greenhouse gas emissions', and 'ecosystems' appropriately. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'massive change on the environmental concerns', which is slightly awkward. You also tend to repeat certain words like 'important' and 'serious'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms and collocations. Expanding your vocabulary to include more sophisticated academic phrases will help you convey your ideas with greater precision and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. Most of your sentences are clear and easy to follow. However, there are some grammatical slips, such as 'others say that there are more important environmental problems' (the 'that' is redundant) and 'some people consider that the loss of species is the major environmental problems' (subject-verb agreement error). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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