Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
In our contemporary society, there is an ongoing debate of environmental problems. Some people believe that the extinction of specific wildlife is the current major problem that requires our attention whereas other argue that there are more environmental issues in the world apart from extinction of animals and plants. While the former perspective is understandable, however, I would argue that the latter perspective is more significant and needs our attention. This essay will discuss both of these views in depth.
To begin with, particular species of some plants and animals are becoming extinct due to various reasons such as virus outbreak or insufficient food source. The extinction of animals and plants is a serious problem, considering its longterm effects on natural food chain. Additionally, animals need certain species as their food to survive. If we take those species out of the equation then the natural flow of food chain will be disrupted. For instance, bald eagles hunt fishes but if there is an insufficient number of fish in the sea, bald eagles would lose their only food source and therefore resulting in their extinction.
Apart from the discussed enironmental issue, there are more problems that threaten the human as well as wild environment such as global warming and deforestation. Global warming causes unstable weather conditions that can eventually result is the destruction of plants and animals and it can also disrupt human activities such as global trading. Moreover, large-scaling cutting of trees for the sake of commercial purpose eradicats entire habitats. This, in turn, causes the wildlife cease to exist. Hence, these environmental issues should be considered alongside the formerly discussed issue.
In conclusion, resolving the other major environmental issues should be our first priority. Solving those issues will also result in saving plants and animals.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
You address both views and state a clear preference for prioritising wider environmental problems, especially global warming and deforestation. The explanation of how species loss can disrupt food chains is relevant, and the bald-eagle example helps illustrate the point. Your conclusion also returns to your position. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the first paragraph gives a general account of extinction, while the second makes broader claims about global warming affecting trade and deforestation destroying habitats without a specific example or fuller explanation. The link between these wider problems and species loss is useful, but your own reasons for ranking them as the more urgent priority could be made more explicit and persuasive.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion that restates your position. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Apart from,” and “In conclusion” make the progression easy to follow, and the food-chain example is placed appropriately. This coherent arrangement is a strength. At times, however, linking is mechanical or the reference is unclear. “While the former perspective is understandable, however” uses two contrasting signals together, and “the formerly discussed issue” is less direct than naming species loss again. The second body paragraph also moves quickly from global warming to trade and then deforestation. Use clearer links to show how each point supports your comparison and prioritisation.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “extinction,” “natural food chain,” “global warming,” “deforestation,” and “habitats.” Phrases such as “out of the equation” and “first priority” also help express your ideas. There are, however, several inaccurate or awkward choices that limit precision: “debate of environmental problems,” “insufficient food source,” and “large-scaling cutting of trees” do not sound natural in this context. Spelling slips such as “enironmental” and “eradicats” also reduce accuracy. Aim to learn common environmental collocations and check spelling carefully; more precise wording would make your argument sound more fluent without requiring unnecessarily complex vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including a conditional sentence (“If we take those species out of the equation then…”) and clauses explaining consequences. Most of the meaning remains clear, and the response shows an attempt to vary sentence structure. Some grammatical errors persist, though. In “other argue,” the subject and verb do not agree; “it can eventually result is the destruction” has an incorrect verb pattern; and “causes the wildlife cease to exist” is missing “to.” The opening sentence also combines “While” and “however” awkwardly. Review agreement, verb patterns after “result” and “cause,” and punctuation around introductory clauses. More consistent control of these structures would strengthen the accuracy of your varied sentences.
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