Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-12

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)

In the contemporary era, environment is one of the most pressing issues today. Some people believe that the loss of wildlife is the main problem of our time because the extinction of certain species can disturb the natural food chain. Others advocate that there are more ecological problems because climate change and pollution are also serious threats. I, on the other hand, am in favour of latter view that climate change and poulltion are more serious because they affect both human beings and ecosystem.

To begin with, the root of an environmental concern is the loss of habitats. As a result, flora and fauna become less continuously. Personally, it also affect the income beacuse most of the people depend on plants and animals. At a public level, government should raise awareness about environmental issues. In the long term, if this will be constantly declined of species, then it will be extinct. For instance, the decline in bee populations can affect pollination and food production.

On the other hand, more problems are the main issues for the ecosystem because these are the affects like human well-being and as well as the species of plants and animals. Consequently, if the human are not good in health, then whole the environment can be disturb and also more expenses on healthcare system. This can damage the economy of the country and also reduce the resources. For example, climate change can cause extreme weather and people ill from that and also if the droughts or floods species of plants and animals also be damage.

In conclusion, although the loss of plant and animal species is a serious environmental issue, I believe that other issues are more significant than the environmental threats because these are very severe for human beings and for whole ecosystem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state a clear preference for climate change and pollution, explaining that they affect people as well as ecosystems. The example of declining bee populations also supports the view that species loss can disrupt pollination and food production. However, the discussion is only partly developed: the first body paragraph shifts from species loss to habitat loss and public awareness, while the second gives broad consequences without explaining how pollution specifically compares with species decline. Some claims, such as poor human health disturbing the whole environment, need clearer reasoning. Develop each side with a focused explanation and a specific example, then make the basis for your comparison more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposts such as “To begin with,” “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help identify the stages of the argument. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven. The first body paragraph moves from habitat loss to income, government awareness and extinction, so the links between points are not always clear. In the second, “more problems” is vague, and the chain from human health to environmental damage and healthcare costs is difficult to follow. Use topic sentences that directly identify each viewpoint, and organise each paragraph around one main claim followed by explanation and evidence. Clearer referencing would also help readers track what “these” refers to.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “extinction,” “natural food chain,” “habitats,” “pollination,” “climate change” and “extreme weather.” This gives the response a suitable environmental focus. However, the range is limited by repeated general terms such as “problem,” “issues” and “affect,” and several word choices or forms are inaccurate: “flora and fauna become less continuously,” “the affects like human well-being,” and “species ... be damage.” The spelling “poulltion” also distracts. Aim for more precise collocations and check word forms, for example when describing population decline, ecosystem impacts and economic consequences. This would make the argument clearer and more natural without relying on repeated broad vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including conditional forms such as “if the human are not good in health” and a relative clause in “the loss of wildlife ... because the extinction ... can disturb the natural food chain.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to interpret. Examples include “it also affect the income,” “if this will be constantly declined of species,” and “if the droughts or floods species ... also be damage.” There are also problems with articles, agreement and sentence construction, as in “whole the environment.” Practise building accurate clauses with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement and verb forms before adding more complex ideas.

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.