Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-05

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 often believed that the loss of particular species of plants and animals is the most serious environmental issue of our time, whereas others argue that there are more significant environmental problems. In my opinion, loss of particular species of flora and fauna is an issue, but there are many other serious environmental problems that need solutions.

On the one hand, many species of plants and animals have become extinct over the years. It has various negative impacts on the environment, such as disrupting the food chain and causing the rapid growth of several species of plants and animals can disturb the ecological balance. This is because every species play a vital role in maintaining the natural balance of an ecosystem. For example, if a particular predator becomes extinct, the population of its prey may increase rapidly, which can put pressure on vegetation and affect other species in the food chain.

On the other hand, I believe there are many other environmental issues that need attention, as they not only affect environment but also have many negative effects on human beings. The regular cutting down of a considerable number of trees is a major cause of deforestation, which directly damages the environment. Moreover, deforestation contributes to global warming because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while fewer trees mean that more carbon dioxide remain in the air. A large amount of carbon dioxide can also have serious impacts on human health. For example, people living near areas affected by large-scale deforestation may be exposed to higher levels of air pollution, which can increase the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues.

In conclusion, although extinction of some specific species of plants and animals can have serious effects on the environment, I believe that other environmental problems, such as deforestation and global warming, are more serious because they can also lead to significant health problems for humans.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the loss of species and other environmental issues while maintaining a clear personal position. The ideas are relevant and generally well-supported. For instance, the explanation of the food chain and the link between deforestation and global warming are logical. However, the development could be more nuanced; the argument for 'other' problems is somewhat narrow, focusing almost exclusively on deforestation. To reach a higher band, you could broaden the scope of 'other' issues (e.g., plastic pollution or water scarcity) to provide a more comprehensive comparison against biodiversity loss.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth, though some transitions could be more sophisticated. For example, the link between the two body paragraphs could be strengthened to better contrast the two perspectives rather than just presenting them as separate blocks of text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey ideas with precision. You demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific terminology such as 'ecological balance', 'predator', 'prey', and 'deforestation'. There is some attempt to use less common items, though the range is somewhat limited. While the word choice is generally accurate, there is a slight tendency toward repetition of basic terms like 'serious' and 'environmental problems'. Incorporating a wider variety of synonyms and more precise collocations would elevate the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several error-free sentences, and the grammar is generally controlled. However, there are minor slips that prevent a higher score. For example, in the second paragraph, the phrase 'causing the rapid growth of several species of plants and animals can disturb' is grammatically awkward. Additionally, there is a subject-verb agreement error in 'every species play' (should be 'plays') and a missing article in 'affect environment' (should be 'the environment'). These errors do not impede communication but occur frequently enough to limit the score.

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