Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-10

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 5.0)

While one school of thought believes that the most prominent environmental issue in our age is the loss of specific species of living organisms, the other school of thought argues that there are other environmental problems which are more important.This essay will discuss both the views before and express my opinion.

An ecosystem is an environment where species co-exist and rely on one another for their survival.

A herbivore relies on plants for its food, while a carnivore relies on the herbivore for its survival. An extinction of one of the species of this life cycle could lead to the loss of other dependent species. For example - Deers taken away from a forest could lead to a scarcity of enough food for the tigers and lions and they could become extinct because of food deprivation. This could result in the loss

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response begins to address the first view by explaining how species depend on one another, and the food-chain example involving deer and predators is relevant. However, the discussion is incomplete: the essay ends mid-sentence (“This could result in the loss”), does not explain the view that other environmental problems are more important, and gives no clear personal opinion. The introduction promises to discuss both views, but the body does not fulfil that promise. The response also falls short of the required minimum length, leaving too little space to develop the argument and support its claims. To improve, complete both sides of the discussion, state your position explicitly, and extend each main idea with a clear explanation and example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introductory paragraph is followed by an explanation of ecosystems and a supporting example. The opening signpost (“This essay will discuss both the views”) also indicates an intended structure. However, the progression is not completed because the response stops during the example and never moves to the opposing view or conclusion. Some linking is present through “while” and “For example,” but the relationship between the example and the essay’s overall argument is not fully explained. The missing development makes the response feel unfinished rather than logically complete. Use separate paragraphs for each view and your opinion, and connect each example explicitly to the point it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response shows a reasonably varied vocabulary for introducing the topic, including “prominent environmental issue,” “specific species,” “co-exist,” “herbivore,” “carnivore,” and “food deprivation.” These choices help communicate the subject and show an attempt to use more precise environmental language than basic everyday terms. Some phrasing is less natural or precise, however: “in our age” is awkward in this context, and “a scarcity of enough food” is redundant. “An extinction of one of the species” is also less idiomatic than a direct reference to a species becoming extinct. Aim to retain the topic-specific vocabulary while checking collocations and avoiding unnecessary repetition of meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and more complex structures, such as “While one school of thought believes …, the other school of thought argues …” and the conditional explanation of how losing one species could affect others. Most of the meaning is understandable, and the sentence forms show some range. There are some noticeable accuracy and punctuation issues: there is no space after the full stop in “important.This essay,” and the opening sentence of the second paragraph is a fragment-like standalone definition that is not smoothly connected to the argument. The final sentence is incomplete (“This could result in the loss”), which leaves the grammatical structure unfinished. Proofread sentence boundaries and ensure every sentence is complete.

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