Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-20

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)

There is a believe by some people that thinks that the main environmental problem of our present time is the loss of plants and animals of particular species, while others say that there are more important environmental problems aside plants and animals.

I agree to some extent that the loss of particular species of plants in the form of the process called deforestation is one of the main problems in our environment. Deforestation is the clearing of or cutting down of some species of tress by human. This forests or tress that are cut down serve as vital carbon sinks that naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the artmosphere. This act of deforestaion fuels global warming which is an environmental problem.

In my opinion, i resonate with belief that we have other causes of that affects the environment, such as air pollution, volcanoic eruption, erosion. Air pollution is an environmental problem caused by the release of toxic chemicals into the artmosphere, which in turn affects our health as humans and it also fuels global warming, just as loss of plants does. Erosion is caused by lack of proper drainage system that contributes to the free flow of rainwater.

In conclusion, I believe that other things needs to be factored as causes that affects the environment asides from the loss of plants and animals. And adjustments need to be implemented to strike a balance in our environment such as good drainage system, stopping deforestation and proper disposal of waste and chemical toxins.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both views and give a personal position, particularly by agreeing partly that species loss matters while arguing that other environmental problems also deserve attention. However, the discussion is only partial: the first view is mainly represented through deforestation, which is not the same as explaining the loss of particular plant and animal species, and the alternative view is supported by a short list rather than developed comparison. The explanation of air pollution and global warming is relevant, but the point about erosion and drainage is unclear. The conclusion offers measures but does not fully resolve which problems you consider most important. The response is 241 words, nine words below the required minimum; the nine words copied from the task prompt are not counted. Develop each view with a specific example and clearer reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two positions, and a conclusion. This helps the reader follow the broad direction of the argument, and linking expressions such as “while,” “In my opinion,” and “In conclusion” signal shifts between ideas. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven. The second body paragraph moves from air pollution to volcanic eruptions and then erosion without explaining how these examples relate or comparing their importance. Some connections are also unclear, as in “Erosion is caused by lack of proper drainage system that contributes to the free flow of rainwater.” Use topic sentences to establish each paragraph’s main point, then explain and support it before moving on. Clearer referencing and fewer abrupt lists would make the organisation more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant environmental vocabulary, including “carbon sinks,” “carbon dioxide,” “global warming,” “air pollution,” and “deforestation.” These terms help communicate the subject and show an attempt to use topic-specific language. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or awkward, sometimes making the meaning less clear: “a believe,” “tress,” “artmosphere,” and “volcanoic eruption.” Phrases such as “other causes of that affects the environment” and “asides from” also show imprecise expression. Aim for accurate collocations and a broader range for discussing species loss, such as “biodiversity decline” and “habitat destruction.” Proofread spelling and word forms, and choose precise terms rather than repeating general references to environmental “problems” and “things.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause beginning “while others say” and a relative clause in “carbon sinks that naturally absorb carbon dioxide.” These attempts make the response more varied than a sequence of short statements. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “There is a believe by some people that thinks” has an incorrect clause structure, while “other causes of that affects” has faulty agreement and construction. There are also errors in articles, plurals, and agreement, as in “lack of proper drainage system” and “other things needs to be factored.” Practise building accurate clauses and checking subject–verb agreement, articles, and singular/plural forms. Shorter, controlled sentences can help you express the ideas clearly while developing more complex structures.

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