Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-13

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)

Some people consider that the loss of individuals species of plants and animals is the main enviornmental problem of our time. Attempts to preserve rare or dying species are carried out in zoos or other specialist plant and animal facilities, through breeding programmes, preservation orders and other forms of protection and there was genuine sadness among many when the last surviving white rhino died earlier this year.

survival of the fittest is nature's way of ruthlessly allowing weaker specimens to die out, although mankind has also contributed to falling animal numbers through hunting and poaching. However whether saving individual species should be the main focus of enviornmental protection is debatable. Climate change and other excessive use of plastic are just two other major problems that deserve our attention.

The evidence of climate change is there for us all to see: rising sea levels and associated flooding with loss of homes at low and levels are becoming more frequent. Many countries and island communities are now calling for urgent action to delay, halt or even reserve the process, although if we believe the experts, reversal is impossible. Habitable areas are gradually shrinking, often for some of the poorest groups of poeple but there seems to be little obivious action taking place. If the major contributors to climate change will not support the reduction of greenhouse gases, there is little hole for the future.

Naturalists have also begun to expose the serious prblems arising from discarded plastic waste. Birds and animals can die gruesome deaths through being trapped or caught up in plastic bags or ropes. While the long process required for these plastics to decay means that they remain a threat for many years to come.

The loss of particular species, both flora and fauna, is cause for regret, but i do not agree that they are the most important enviornmental problems these days. If climate change and damage from plastic continue, there will be less land and less food for everyone, including plants and animals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that the loss of species is the main environmental problem, and that other issues are more significant—while also clearly stating the writer's own opinion in the final paragraph. Ideas are relevant and supported, such as mentioning the white rhino, climate change, and plastic waste. However, some arguments could have been extended further to reach the highest bands. For instance, the discussion on climate change briefly touches upon rising sea levels and greenhouse gases but does not fully explore why these might outweigh biodiversity loss. Nevertheless, the position is clear throughout, earning a solid Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are generally well structured, moving from the introduction of the first view, to the counter-view in the second paragraph, followed by specific examples of climate change and plastic waste, and finally a conclusive stance. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, with transition words like 'However' and 'While'. However, referencing and cohesion are occasionally clunky, as seen in the sentence starting with 'While the long process required for these plastics...' which forms an incomplete fragment. Overall, the progression is clear enough to merit a Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'specialist plant and animal facilities', 'breeding programmes', and 'greenhouse gases'. However, there are notable spelling errors throughout the text, including 'enviornmental', 'obivious', 'prblems', and 'poeple', as well as a lowercase 'i' used for the pronoun 'I'. Word choice is sometimes slightly imprecise, such as 'little hole for the future' instead of 'little hope'. These errors do not seriously impede communication but prevent the essay from achieving a higher lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating an ability to construct multi-clause sentences, such as 'Attempts to preserve rare or dying species are carried out in zoos... through breeding programmes, preservation orders and other forms of protection'. There are several grammatical and mechanical errors, including punctuation and capitalization lapses ('i do not agree', 'low and levels'), a sentence fragment ('While the long process...'), and tense or modal issues ('If the major contributors... will not support'). Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication, allowing the essay to comfortably secure a Band 6.0.

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