Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-28

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)

There is a growing debate on whether the main environmental issues of our time are related to extinction of some species of flora and fauna or there are other crucial ecological problems. I am of the opinion that the ectinction od some animals and plants have damages on our ecology system, while there are bigger some bigger problems such as pollution.

The first and foremost factor is a damage on ecosystem. Every kind of predator serves a particular role in food chain, and the loss of one may harm the balance of the whole ecosystem. If some essential predators vanish, their prey's number will increase. For example, in case of lions death, the number of antelopes will increase. Therefore, it serves as the main factor of some other ecological problems.

On other hand, there are other environmental issues such as climate change and pollution. Global warming has impacts not only on the nature, but also on farming, water and again on the whole ecosystem. Regarding pollution, the pollution of air and water damages people's health, respiratory system in particular. It also contributes to species' extinction. For example, the number of people with asthma and different mutations increased compared to the past, it is related to the growth of industrial facilities.

Ultimately, both extinction of plants and animals, and essential ecological problem are important. That is to say, those factors are related, due to environmental problems, some animals and plants may vanish, because the new conditions are not suitable for them.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether species extinction is the primary environmental concern and providing a personal opinion. The student's position is clear throughout the essay, stating that while extinction damages the ecosystem, other problems like pollution are larger. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the discussion on the ecosystem relies on a simplistic example ('in case of lions death, the number of antelopes will increase') without fully exploring broader systemic impacts. The conclusion is also quite brief and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented. It satisfies the task requirements, but the depth of support places it firmly in the Band 6 category.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the introduction to body paragraphs and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the two opposing views and the introduction. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. The phrase 'On other hand' misses a grammatical article, and transitions between sentences can feel abrupt. Referencing is generally clear, but logical connectors like 'Therefore' and 'That is to say' are occasionally used in ways that do not precisely fit the logical flow of the argument, reflecting typical Band 6 characteristics.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student attempts an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing topic-specific terms such as 'extinction', 'flora and fauna', 'ecosystem', 'predator', and 'industrial facilities'. However, there are noticeable word choice and spelling errors, such as 'ectinction' instead of 'extinction', 'damages on our ecology system' instead of 'damage to our ecological system', and 'some bigger some bigger problems'. These lexical inaccuracies and typos prevent the score from reaching a higher band, positioning this response at Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures ('If some essential predators vanish, their prey's number will increase'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasings throughout the text, including 'the main environmental issues... are related to extinction... or there are other', 'a damage on ecosystem', and 'it is related to the growth'. Punctuation and article usage also show persistent flaws. While these errors do not severely impede communication, they restrict the grammar score to a Band 5.5, as error-free sentences are not frequent enough for a Band 6.

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