Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-02

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 6.5)

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 an increase in the number of people affected by various diseases.

Air and water pollution are two major types of pollution which cause 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, lead to life-threatening 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 the oxygen level of every family member regularly.

However, it is quite natural for many people to believe that loss of plant and animal species is the main environmental issue, as the loss of even a single species disturbs 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 carnivorous birds who ate flesh of these land animals, will also have a hard time finding food. As a result, extinction of one species leads 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 the complete world.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. The discussion of pollution is well-supported with examples like carbon monoxide and health impacts. The section on species loss is also relevant, using the food chain as a logical illustration. However, the conclusion that species loss only affects a 'particular region' is a weak argument, as biodiversity loss is globally interconnected. To reach a higher band, the development of the counter-argument could be more nuanced, acknowledging the global significance of biodiversity while still maintaining the stance that pollution is more pressing.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition to this', 'However', and 'As a result' are used effectively to guide the reader. The progression of ideas is smooth, particularly in the second paragraph where the chain reaction of extinction is explained. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. The flow is natural and the structure supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. Phrases like 'life-threatening diseases', 'disturbs the food chain', and 'manufacturing processes' demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific language. There is some repetition of the word 'pollution' and 'species', and some phrasing is slightly simplistic, such as 'hunger issues' or 'keep oxygen measuring devices'. To improve, the student could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or academic synonyms to enhance precision and variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which ensures that communication is never impeded. There are minor slips, such as 'a particular species of a deer' (should be 'a species of deer') and 'ate flesh of these land animals' (missing article 'the'). Punctuation is generally accurate. The control over complex structures is consistent, though further variety in sentence beginnings and more advanced subordinate clauses would elevate the score.

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