Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-23

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)

Although there is a school of thought that main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plant and animals, an alternative perspective contends that other environmental problems are more important. While both arguments possess certain degree of validity, I am firmly of the opinion that many other environmental problems are major issue. This essay will critically examine both perspective before elucidating why I subscribe to this particular standpoint.

To commence with, there are several compelling arguments in favour of biodiversity loss is the single greatest environmental issue today. First and foremost, each species has a role in ecosystem. This is primarily be attributed to the fact that food chain disturbed because of this population of other species changes, This lead to imbalance in ecosystem. A pertinent example of this can be seen in wild animals like tiger, who control overpopulation of other animals. Consequently, damage can spread beyond single species. Furthermore, another noteworthy consideration is that plant provide food, shelter, oxygen and habitats. This is particularly significant because some quality of specific plant cannot be easily replicated. Last but not least, some plant contain useful medicinal components. It is reasonable to suggest that human lose potentially useful natural resources.

Nevertheless, the opposing perspective also warrants careful consideration. One of the most compelling arguments is that global temperature is increasing nowadays. The underlying reason is that greenhouse-gas emission, fossil fuel, deforestation. For instance, it reduce quality life and have effect on respiratory system. Moreover, it is worth emphasising that rivers, lakes, and oceans are contaminated because of human activity. It mainly effect on aquatic lives.

In conclusion, although both viewpoints are underpinned by credible arguments, I remain firmly convinced that there are many other problem which cause lot more damage to society and wild lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on whether biodiversity loss is the main environmental problem and providing a clear personal opinion throughout the essay. The introduction clearly sets out the writer's stance, and each body paragraph explores relevant arguments, such as the ecological role of species and competing issues like climate change and pollution. However, some ideas lack full extension and suffer from minor generalisations. For example, the arguments regarding climate change rely on fragmented phrases like 'greenhouse-gas emission, fossil fuel, deforestation' rather than fully developed sentences. Nevertheless, the position is well-maintained and the task requirements are thoroughly covered, aligning closely with the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and overall progression throughout. Paragraphing is used appropriately, dividing the introduction, body paragraphs covering both views, and the conclusion into distinct sections. Cohesive devices are generally employed well to guide the reader, seen through phrases like 'To commence with', 'First and foremost', and 'Nevertheless'. However, there are instances of faulty referencing and slight mechanical cohesion, such as 'biodiversity loss is the single greatest environmental issue today' functioning awkwardly as the complement of the clause, and run-on structures like 'food chain disturbed because of this population of other species changes, This lead to imbalance'. These minor lapses prevent the response from achieving a higher score.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for some flexibility and precision. Words and phrases such as 'biodiversity loss', 'ecosystem', 'medicinal components', and 'contaminated' indicate an awareness of topic-specific lexis. However, there are noticeable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, the phrase 'major issue' is singular when it should be plural, and expressions like 'some quality of specific plant cannot be easily replicated' reveal unnatural phrasing. Furthermore, there are missing words ('main environmental problem' missing an article) and grammatical form errors ('effect on aquatic lives' instead of affecting aquatic life). These errors constrain the lexical score to a Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like concessive clauses ('While both arguments possess...') and relative clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. Frequent errors occur in articles ('that main environmental problem'), subject-verb agreement ('plant provide', 'issue' vs 'issues'), word forms ('food chain disturbed because of this population... changes'), and missing verbs or prepositions. For example, 'greenhouse-gas emission, fossil fuel, deforestation' lacks a predicate verb to form a complete clause, and 'It mainly effect on aquatic lives' contains both a confusion between noun/verb and an unnecessary preposition. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to place the performance firmly at Band 6.

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