Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-17

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)

A lot of people argue that the main environmental issue these days is the extinction of different species of plants and animals, while others affirm that many other environmental issues are a matter of concern. I support the latter view; however, both prespectives will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Supporters of the first school of thoughts advocate that due to multiple reasons, such as climate change and other environmental crisis, many species of plants and animals are getting extinct. To explain, due to loss of particular species of animals, the food chain is getting disturbed. Moreover, the extinction of plant species is putting unnecessary pressure on other resources, as many species of plants offer great medicinal properties and act as a source of food. Therefore, it affects the lifestyle of the people and causes depletion of other resources. Hence, it is causing imbalance in the environment and is the main environmental problem these days.

While critics of the aforementioned view, including me, argue that there are other important issues to be addressed by the mankind such as global warming and climate change. Due to deforestation and the increased consumption of fossil fuels, the concentration of Carbon dioxide is increasing rapidly, which is a major concern. It is a threatening concern as it can have fatal consequences such as the melting of glaciers and origin of floods. Due to climate change, people are losing their lives due to these large-scale tragedies. As a result of climate change, many species of plants and animals are getting extinct such as the polar bears, which is due to the melting of glaciers. Hence, it is important to address these issues first, so that these tragedies can be avoided.

In conclusion, although loss of plant and animal species is a matter of concern, it is important to mitigate climate change and other important issues as it can have fatal consequences including the extinction of plants and animals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on whether the loss of specific species is the primary environmental problem and providing a clear personal opinion throughout. In the introduction, the writer states, 'I support the latter view,' which is then carried forward in the body paragraphs and conclusion. The ideas are reasonably well developed, such as explaining how biodiversity loss disturbs the food chain and how global warming causes severe consequences like melting glaciers and habitat destruction for polar bears. While some explanations border on generalisation, the arguments are relevant and directly answer the prompt's requirements. The stance is consistent, and the main tenets of both perspectives receive adequate attention, fully satisfying the requirements for a Band 7 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The text is neatly divided into four standard paragraphs: introduction, body paragraph one exploring the first view, body paragraph two exploring the second view and personal opinion, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are employed with reasonable flexibility, such as 'To explain,' 'Moreover,' 'While critics of the aforementioned view,' and 'As a result of climate change.' However, there is a slight over-reliance on basic transitional markers like 'Hence' and 'Therefore' at the start of multiple sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and referencing remains clear, ensuring smooth transitions between arguments and maintaining overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient lexical range to allow for some flexibility and precision. Phrases such as 'environmental issue,' 'extinction of different species,' 'food chain,' 'medicinal properties,' and 'consumption of fossil fuels' indicate an appropriate vocabulary suited to the topic. Less common lexical items are attempted, including 'depletion,' 'concentration,' and 'mitigate,' showing an awareness of collocation and style. While there are a few minor lexical slips, such as 'school of thoughts' instead of 'school of thought' and 'getting extinct' instead of 'becoming extinct,' these errors do not impede communication and reflect the characteristics of a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and relative constructions effectively, as seen in sentences like 'Due to deforestation and the increased consumption of fossil fuels, the concentration of Carbon dioxide is increasing rapidly, which is a major concern.' There is good control of punctuation and basic grammar. However, a number of minor errors persist, such as 'prespectives' (spelling), 'environmental crisis' (singular/plural agreement with 'multiple reasons'), and repetitive phrasing like starting multiple sentences with 'Due to.' Despite these occasional inaccuracies, the majority of complex structures are managed well, and errors very rarely impede communication, placing the response firmly at Band 6.5.

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