Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Environment is an important part of our human life without it there will be no survival of humans species possible on Earth. Some people says that the main environment problem of our time is loss of particular species while other says that there are more important environment problems. In my opinion both of the parties are correct according to their point of view.
First foremost, people who says that due to loss or extintion of some species of plants and animals have effected our environment as that is true as our environment have different types of predators who eat each other to maintain the balance of our eco system and whenever if certain species get extincted then whole ecosytem get distrupted for instance grass is eaten by rabbits, rabbits are eaten by hynas, and they are eaten by tigers if some how rabbits get extinct then hynas will not able to get their food then whole environment will be changed.
On the other hand, people who says that there are more important environment problems as here they are trying to mention problems like plastic and other non biodegradable products. In the todays world we know that plastic is used around the world and it also take centuries to dissolve in soil due to which it harm environment by its toxic elements in it. Fertilizers and pesticides are also harmful for our environment as in the making of these alot of chemicals are used which directly absorbed by the soil and later absorbed by the crops which are later consumed by humans due to which many people get dangerous diseases like cancer. It also effect the enviroment by effectings its soil fertility later on it its is hard for plants to grow on it.
In the conclusion, both factors effect the environment in different ways but the result by them is common.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You discuss both views and give a position, so the response addresses the main parts of the prompt. The paragraph on species loss explains how disruption to a food chain can affect an ecosystem, and the examples of plastic and agricultural chemicals introduce other environmental concerns. However, the opinion that “both of the parties are correct” is not developed into a clear judgement about whether one problem is more important, and the conclusion only says their results are common. Some explanations also need greater precision: the food-chain example is presented as a simple sequence, while the effects of pesticides on people and soil are asserted rather than fully explained. Develop the comparison and support each view with clearer, more specific reasoning.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. “First foremost” and “On the other hand” help signal the change in viewpoint, and the examples generally appear alongside the relevant claims. However, progression within sentences is sometimes difficult to follow, particularly in the long explanation beginning “whenever if certain species get extincted,” where several consequences are joined together. The conclusion is very brief and does not bring the discussion to a clear resolution. Some linking is also mechanical or unclear, such as “as here they are trying to mention.” Use more precise transitions between cause and effect, and make the final paragraph summarise your comparison and position.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “species,” “predators,” “ecosystem,” “non biodegradable products,” “fertilizers,” and “soil fertility.” This gives you enough language to discuss both sides of the environmental issue. However, spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable and sometimes make the reader pause: examples include “extintion,” “hynas,” “distrupted,” and “effectings.” Some phrases are also imprecise or unnatural, such as “the result by them is common” and “to dissolve in soil.” Repetition of “environment” and “problems” limits variety. Aim to use accurate collocations and check spelling carefully; more precise terms for ecological consequences would make your explanations clearer.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including cause-and-effect structures such as “if certain species get extinct then whole ecosystem get disrupted.” This shows an effort to connect ideas rather than relying only on short statements. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction frequently affect clarity. For example, “Some people says” should use a plural verb, while “plastic … also take centuries” needs a singular verb. The opening sentence, “without it there will be no survival of humans species possible,” is also difficult to construct accurately. Practise building shorter, controlled sentences first, then combine them with accurate clauses using “because,” “if,” and “which.”
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.