Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-11

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)

Over recent years, environmental problems has become a hotly debated issue in society. Some people argue that the main environmental problem is the loss of particular species of plants and animals due to its major impact on environment, while others believe there are more important environmental problems. In this essay, i will examine both perspective and i strongly agree with that there are many other environmental problems.

On the one hand, many people argue that the loss of species of plants and animals is the main environmental problem. No doubt it is the major problem because loss of plants causes pollution of different kinds. The air pollution that is caused by deforestation. Cutting down the trees causes many respiratory disorders because trees utilizes carbon dioxide and gives oxygen. The amount of oxygen will automatically decrease with cutting of trees. For instance, many deaths have seen with respiratory diseases.

On the other hand, others believe that there are more important environmental problems. Many other important problems such as global warming, ozone depletion etc. Global warming is the increase in the temperature of earth day by day. The smoke producing vehicles pollutes the environment and rise the earth's temperature. Ozone layer surround the earth to restrict the harmful rays coming from sun and the hole is produced in it. Water pollution is also environmental problem that kills the fishes and other organism that lives in water.

In conclusion, the main environmental problem is the loss of particular species of plant trees due to its major impact on our ecosystem whereas, there are many other main problems that threatens our life. But i firmly believe that many other important environmental problems other than loss of particular species of plants and animals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both views and state your opinion in the introduction, saying you agree that other environmental problems are more important. The paragraphs on species loss and other problems are relevant, with examples such as deforestation, global warming and water pollution. However, the discussion is only partial: the first view is linked mainly to air pollution rather than explaining directly why the loss of species itself is a major environmental threat. The second view lists several problems but gives little comparison or explanation of their relative importance. Your conclusion also becomes unclear, first calling species loss the main problem and then reaffirming your original position. Develop each view with a clear reason and support, and keep your own position consistent.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” helps readers identify the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is limited: several claims are placed next to one another without showing how they connect, and the second body paragraph reads partly as a list of environmental issues. Some linking is also inaccurate or repetitive, while the conclusion’s “whereas” construction makes the relationship between its ideas confusing. Improve the flow by organising each paragraph around one main claim, then explaining and illustrating it. Use referencing and linking phrases to show cause, contrast and consequence rather than relying mainly on fixed transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “deforestation,” “respiratory disorders,” “global warming,” “ozone depletion” and “water pollution,” so the reader can follow the general subject. There is some variety in how environmental effects are described. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “loss of species of plants and animals,” “smoke producing vehicles” and “the hole is produced in it.” Repetition of “environmental problems” and “main problem” also makes the argument less precise. Aim for more natural topic-specific phrasing and check whether words combine idiomatically. For example, describe species becoming extinct and emissions from vehicles, and use precise terms when explaining damage to the ozone layer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast in the introduction and cause-and-effect explanations in the body. The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but frequent errors in agreement, articles, sentence formation and punctuation make the writing less controlled. Examples include “environmental problems has become,” “trees utilizes,” and “the smoke producing vehicles pollutes.” “The air pollution that is caused by deforestation” is a fragment, while “Many other important problems such as global warming, ozone depletion etc.” is also incomplete. The conclusion contains a long, confusing sentence with mismatched singular and plural forms. Practise checking each sentence for a complete subject and verb, then review agreement and article use. Vary sentence patterns, but prioritise accurate construction.

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