Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-15

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)

Nowadays, there is a rising argument between some individuals whether the real environmental concerns of our age is the lack of specific kinds of plants and animals or there are some other main problems. The primary environmental problem today is the interconnected nature of biodiversity loss and systemic crises like climate change, where species extinction disrupts food chains while broad atmospheric and habitat shifts drive those very extinctions

In my opinion, the loss of particular plants and animals is a much valid reason behind the rising impurities of our environment. Plants play a vital role in keeping the atmosphere clean and frehs. For instance, they absorb the poisonous carbon dioxide emitted from the vehicles. Furthermore, they provide fresh oxygen for us to breathe in and also provide shade and cool environment during hot summer days. Also The disappearance of flora and fauna means losing potential sources for future medicines, scientific research, and natural materials.

Due to the lack of forests and many animals losing their habitat, there is a sudden disruption in the natural food chain as well. When one species vanishes, it causes ripple effects through the entire chain. For example, the decline of pollinators like bees threatens global food crops. Another factor is the irreversibility, Unlike pollution or temporary habitat disturbances, extinction is permanent; once a species is gone, it can never be recovered.

In conclusion, due to their crucial performance in the natural ecosystem of the globe, both plants and animals are important for our environment. Their loss can cause serious disturbbance in the natural system of earth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You present a relevant view that species loss is serious, and support it with points about oxygen, food chains, pollinators, and the permanent nature of extinction. However, the task asks you to discuss both views and give your opinion, while the response mainly argues for the importance of biodiversity. The opening mentions climate change and other systemic crises, but this alternative view is not developed with reasons or examples. Your position is also not fully consistent: the opening calls biodiversity loss interconnected with other crises, whereas the conclusion focuses only on plants and animals. To strengthen the response, explain why other environmental problems, such as climate change or pollution, may be more important to some people, then compare them with species loss and state your view clearly throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas within the body paragraphs are generally related: the discussion moves from plants’ benefits to food-chain disruption and extinction’s permanence. Linking expressions such as “For instance,” “Furthermore,” and “For example” help signal examples. However, the overall progression is weakened because the opposing view is introduced in the opening but not given its own developed paragraph. Some connections are abrupt, particularly the shift from the benefits of plants to the loss of medicines and materials. The conclusion repeats the importance of species without resolving the comparison in the question. Organise the essay around the two views, then use a final paragraph to make your judgement explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “biodiversity loss,” “food chains,” “pollinators,” “irreversibility,” and “ecosystem.” These choices show awareness of the subject and generally make your meaning understandable. However, several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “a much valid reason,” “rising impurities of our environment,” and “crucial performance in the natural ecosystem.” Spelling slips such as “frehs” and “disturbbance” also reduce accuracy. Some wording is repetitive, especially the repeated references to the “natural” system and environment. Aim for precise collocations and check spelling; for example, describe species loss as a “serious environmental concern” and say that species “play a crucial role” in ecosystems.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple statements and some more complex structures, including the clause beginning “When one species vanishes” and the contrast introduced by “Unlike pollution or temporary habitat disturbances.” Most sentences remain understandable, but errors in agreement and sentence construction are noticeable. In the opening, “the real environmental concerns … is” does not agree in number, and the phrase “whether … or there are” creates an awkward, incomplete comparison. The sentence beginning “The primary environmental problem today is…” is also left without clear punctuation before the next paragraph. Capitalisation and punctuation are inconsistent, as in “Also The disappearance” and “irreversibility, Unlike.” Review subject–verb agreement and build parallel structures when presenting alternatives; careful proofreading would improve control.

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.