Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-03

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 widely argued that the most significant environmental problem in today's world is the loss of specific species of plants and animals whereas other people suggest that there are more important environmental problems. In this essay, I will discuss both views and explain why I strongly believe that there are more crucial environmental problems as compared to loss of animal and plant species.

Many species of plants and animals are endangered and many are already extinct due to several factors such as habitat loss, and climate change. People believe that extinction of plant and animal specie is the most significant environmental problem because it is affecting the earth's soil. Consequently, the land used for farming are becoming barren and production of food is declining day by day. For instance, bacteria's found in the soil play an important role as fertilizer but with time their number is decreasing causing harm to the ecosystem. Similarly, when an animal or plant is extinct, a link in food chain is broken which affects the whole ecosystem.

On the other hand, people believe there are other problems in the environment that are more crucial such as industrialization, global warming, and climate change. Industrialization has its benefits but it is effecting the whole world and releasing gasses and other substances that is damaging the surrounding. As a result, our air is polluted causing health issues in addition to water pollution. For example, gas such as chlorofluorocarbon is the reason for ozone depletion which allows the earth temperature to rise and as a result global warming occurs. Furthermore, it plays a role in habitat loss of animals and cutting down of plants as space is required for urbanization which suggests that extinction is linked with these problems.

In my opinion, I firmly believe that other environmental factors play a major role in loss of particular specie of plants and animals because of which they become the root cause. Governments have programs to save endangered specie, however, there is no campaign to reduce the effects of industrialization, global warming and climate change.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, though the development is somewhat uneven. For example, the argument regarding soil bacteria is a bit tenuous and lacks scientific clarity. The position is consistent throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the argument by identifying the root cause of species loss. To reach a higher band, ensure that the supporting examples are more logically connected to the main point and avoid over-generalizing the impact of specific environmental issues.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'consequently,' 'similarly,' and 'on the other hand' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are instances where the flow between sentences could be smoother. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. The referencing is generally clear, though some minor improvements in the logical progression of ideas within the second body paragraph would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express ideas clearly. There is an attempt to use topic-specific terminology like 'ozone depletion,' 'urbanization,' and 'ecosystem.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and form, such as 'bacteria's' (should be 'bacteria') and 'specie' (should be 'species'). While these errors do not impede communication, they limit the score. Using a wider range of precise collocations and ensuring correct word forms would help elevate the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the student attempts complex sentences, there are recurring grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the land used for farming are becoming,' 'gas such as chlorofluorocarbon is the reason') and incorrect verb usage ('it is effecting' instead of 'affecting'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the frequency of these grammatical slips prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and word forms would significantly improve the accuracy.

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