Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-03

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 5.5)

Environmental problems are increasing at an alarming rate in the contemporary era. Some people argue that the extinction of certain plants and animals. While some contend that there are many other diverse problems. In this essay, I will discuss both views and give my opinion about how other problems are far more important than the loss of plants and animals.

To begin with, with the increments of environmental probelms, detrimental effects have been seen on plants and animals. As a consequence, large number of fauna and flora have been kept on endangered list, such as Red Panda, Snow leopard. Problems like increasing carbon dioxide in the air, water being have hampered plants and animals. For instance, due to the usage of polluted water for irrigation purpose, plants have suffered from various types of diseases which lead to the death of plant. Continuous los of plants can lead to extinction, as a result lost species of plants. Not only plants, but also animals have been affected by these problems.

On the other hand, there are several environmental problems such as global warming. Which may cause not only affect plants and animals, but also affect human beings. The increase in temperature makes people shift towards the northern part, which is very hard for people to settle in a completely new place. Scientist can work for development of new species of floras and faunas, but the problem of global waming is very difficult to control, which makes it more crucial to take action on.

In conclusion, although plants and animals are decreasing, the global warming problems are very difficult to cope with. Governments should found the root cause of global warming.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both views regarding environmental problems and presenting a clear position favouring other issues like global warming. However, the task is only partially addressed because the ideas remain limited and under-developed. For instance, the discussion on plants and animals introduces relevant examples such as the Red Panda and Snow Leopard, but it fails to extend these points meaningfully, resulting in repetitive assertions about diseases and death. Similarly, the counterargument concerning global warming is stated broadly without sufficient elaboration. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to develop each supporting point with clearer explanations and more robust examples rather than skimming the surface of the arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays some logical organisation with a clear introduction and conclusion, and the four-paragraph structure is visible. However, there is no clear overall progression of ideas, and the flow between sentences often feels disjointed. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as starting the second sentence of the introduction with a dependent fragment ('While some contend...') and using repetitive transitions. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, as seen in the abrupt shift from discussing plant irrigation to general extinction without smooth transitional markers. To improve, the writer must ensure that sentences connect logically and that cohesive devices are employed with greater accuracy and variety to guide the reader seamlessly through the argument.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to convey basic concepts about the environment. There are noticeable errors in word choice, collocation, and word form that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, such as 'increments of environmental probelms', 'water being have hampered', and 'Continuous los of plants'. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary items like 'extinction', 'detrimental', and 'endangered list', but these are often marred by spelling or morphological mistakes, such as 'waming' instead of 'warming'. To achieve a higher band, the writer must expand their lexical range and exercise much greater precision in word selection and spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response exhibits a limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple or awkwardly constructed sentences. Attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty, leading to frequent errors that cause difficulty for the reader. Notable issues include sentence fragments, such as 'Which may cause not only affect plants and animals, but also affect human beings', and errors in verb forms, such as 'Governments should found the root cause', where the wrong lexical verb is used, alongside missing articles and faulty prepositions. Punctuation is also problematic, particularly with misplaced full stops breaking up complex clauses. To progress, the writer needs to demonstrate better control over basic sentence patterns and significantly reduce the frequency of grammatical errors.

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