Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-01

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)

Some people believe that the most serious environmental problem today is the extinction of some species of plants and animals. However, others think that there are other environmental problems which are more important. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe that other environmental issues are more serious.

On the one hand, the loss of particular species is a major environmental problem. Many animals and plants are becoming endangered because of deforestation, hunting and pollution. When a species disappears, it can affect the balance of nature because different animals and plants depend on each other. For example, if a certain type of insect becomes extinct, some plants may not be pollinated properly. As a result, other species can also be affected. Therefore, protecting endangered animals and plants is important for the environment.

On the other hand, there are several environmental problems that can have a greater effect on human life. Climate change, air pollution and water pollution are some important examples. Global warming is causing higher temperatures and extreme weather in many parts of the world. In addition, polluted air can cause breathing problems and other health issues. Water pollution can also make clean drinking water difficult to obtain. These problems affect a large number of people and can also damage animals and plants.

In my opinion, although the loss of species is a serious issue, problems such as climate change and pollution are more important because they affect both humans and the natural environment on a much larger scale. Governments and individuals should therefore take action to reduce pollution and protect the environment.

In conclusion, the extinction of plants and animals is an important environmental concern, but I believe that climate change and different forms of pollution are more serious problems because of their wider effects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the loss of species and broader environmental problems while clearly stating the writer's own opinion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. However, some ideas show a tendency to be slightly under-developed rather than fully extended; for instance, the explanation of how deforestation and pollution cause endangerment is kept quite general. To reach a higher band, the writer would need to provide more fully developed explanations and more specific, detailed examples of the impacts mentioned, rather than relying on broad statements such as 'different animals and plants depend on each other'.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout the text. Information and ideas are coherently linked, using standard cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the body paragraphs, the writer's opinion, and a concise conclusion. Referencing is generally clear, contributing to the overall coherence of the argument, though a slightly wider variety of more sophisticated transitional phrases would be required for the highest bands.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms like 'extinction', 'deforestation', 'endangered', 'pollinated', and 'global warming'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, and word choices are generally clear and appropriate, ensuring communication is not impeded. However, the lexical range remains somewhat standard and lacks the more flexible and precise use of uncommon lexical items or sophisticated collocations characteristic of higher bands. Spelling and word choice errors are absent, but the vocabulary choices remain safe rather than ambitious.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation, producing frequent error-free sentences alongside a satisfactory variety of complex structures, such as concessive clauses ('although the loss of species is a serious issue') and conditional constructions ('if a certain type of insect becomes extinct'). Verb forms, tenses, articles, and prepositions are handled accurately throughout the text. While the grammatical control is strong, the sentence structures tend to follow standard patterns, and a wider range of sophisticated syntactic forms with consistent error-free execution would be needed to progress further.

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