Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Some people believe that the loss of certain species of plants and animals is the most serious environmental problem today. However, others argue that there are more important environmental issues. This essay will discuss both views, and I believe that although the loss of species is serious, problems such as climate change and pollution are more important.

On the one hand, the disappearance of plants and animals can have serious effects on the natural environment. Every species plays a role in the ecosystem, so the loss of one species can affect other living things. For example, if a particular type of insect disappears, some plants may not be pollinated properly. In addition, many animals are becoming endangered because of deforestation, hunting and the destruction of their natural habitats. Therefore, protecting wildlife is necessary to maintain a healthy environment.

On the other hand, there are several environmental problems that have a much wider impact. Climate change, air pollution and water pollution can affect millions of people as well as animals and plants. For instance, the increase in global temperatures can cause extreme weather, rising sea levels and problems for agriculture. Similarly, air pollution from vehicles and factories can lead to poor air quality and damage people's health. These problems are not limited to one species or one area, but can affect entire countries and even the whole world.

In my opinion, the loss of species is an important environmental concern, but climate change and pollution are more urgent because they affect humans, wildlife and natural resources on a much larger scale. Governments should therefore focus on reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while also protecting endangered species.

In conclusion, losing particular plants and animals can damage ecosystems, but I believe that climate change and pollution are more serious environmental problems because of their wider effects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear discussion of both views and a well-defined personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the explanation of pollination in the first body paragraph and the broader impacts of climate change in the second. The position is consistent throughout the essay, from the introduction to the conclusion. To reach a band 8 or 9, the student could further develop the arguments by providing more specific, real-world examples (e.g., naming a specific endangered species or a particular international climate agreement) to add depth to the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different arguments. The flow is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning. The use of cohesive devices is consistent and does not feel mechanical, contributing to a coherent overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms such as 'ecosystem', 'pollinated', 'endangered', 'deforestation', and 'greenhouse gas emissions' accurately. While the range is adequate to convey the message with precision, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the score to the 8.0+ range. The word choices are generally accurate, and there are no significant errors in collocation or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('if a particular type of insect disappears, some plants may not be pollinated properly') and compound-complex sentences. The grammar is largely accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To achieve a higher band, the student could incorporate a wider variety of more complex, nuanced sentence structures, such as inversion or more sophisticated relative clauses, while maintaining the current high level of accuracy.

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