Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

It is commonly argued by some that loss of some specif species is the most pressing environmental issue today. While other believe that other ecological problem are significant. In my opinion, biodiversity loss and extinction of any species is a threat of ecosystems, global climate change represents a far more critical issue due to its widespread and catastrophic impact.

One the one hand, proponents of focusing on species loss emphasise that flora and fauna play an indispensable role in maintaining ecological balance. Every ecosystem play an crucial role in the society and operates as a complex network where each species serves a purpose, such as pollination, seed dispersal or pollution control. The extinction of a key species can trigger a domino effects, leading to the collapse of entire food chains and compromising resources that humans rely on for food and medicine. Furthermore, once a plant or animal extinct, that may effects the full cycle of food chain and loss of biodiversity.

On the other hand, border environmental issues most notably climate change and global warming is the common fact of far reaching consequence. Rising global temperature cause extreme weather events and disaster, ocean acidic, rising sea levels, which is threat of human civilisation, food security and fresh water supplies and other challenges. Crucially, climate change is acts as the primary underlying causes of habitat destruction with a challenging environment. Therefore, focusing solely on preserving individuals species addresses the symptoms of environmental decay than primary driver.

In conclusion, while extinction of species and plants leads the affect in natural habitats, I believe that global climate change is a more crucial issue. Tackling climate change directly addresses the root cause of ecological destruction and protects both biodiversity and human society on a global scale.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task, presenting both views and a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly the argument regarding climate change as a root cause. However, some points could be more thoroughly supported; for instance, the link between species loss and human reliance on resources is mentioned but could be expanded with more specific examples. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments. To reach a higher band, ensure that the explanation of why one issue is 'more important' than the other is more deeply explored with concrete evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints and the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Therefore' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, there are instances where the flow is slightly mechanical or where referencing is slightly unclear, such as in the sentence 'once a plant or animal extinct, that may effects the full cycle'. Improving the variety and sophistication of linking phrases would enhance the overall flow and coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at less common items like 'indispensable', 'catastrophic', and 'underlying causes'. However, there are several inaccuracies in word choice and collocation that hinder precision, such as 'ocean acidic' instead of 'ocean acidification' and 'border environmental issues' instead of 'broader environmental issues'. Additionally, there are minor errors in word form, such as 'that may effects' instead of 'that may affect'. While the range is sufficient to convey meaning, more careful attention to word forms and collocations is needed to achieve a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the writer attempts complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('Every ecosystem play', 'climate change is acts') and verb forms ('that may effects'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are some awkward phrasings that slightly impede readability. To improve, the writer should focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and correct verb tense usage. The current level of error is noticeable and occasionally distracts the reader, though it does not fully prevent communication.

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