Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

In the contemporary era, environmental issues are a major concern in human lives, while some individuals think that the main environmental issue of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. On the other hand, others argue that there are numerous crucial environmental issues. In my opinion, environmental concerns are very essential because they help to save plants and animals.

There are several environmental problems in the modern world. One of the main issues is air pollution, which is caused by factories and vehicles. Another major problem is plastic waste, which harms animals and pollutes water. For example, many people throw plastic bags into rivers and on roads, which makes the environment dirty. Therefore, people should use fewer plastic products and plant more trees to protect the environment.

The loss of particular species of plants and animals is one of the main environmental problems of our time. This is mainly because of deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Many animals lose their natural habitats when forests are cut down, while some plant species disappear due to changes in weather conditions. For example, tigers and other wild animals are at risk because of the destruction of forests. Therefore, governments and individuals should protect forests and wildlife to maintain the balance of nature.

In conclusion, although there are numerous environmental problems, I believe that the loss of plant and animal species is a serious issue. Therefore, governments and individuals should work together to protect wildlife and maintain the balance of nature.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both views by discussing broader problems such as air pollution and plastic waste, then explaining how habitat destruction threatens species, and your conclusion gives a position in favour of treating species loss as serious. However, the comparison between the two views is not fully developed: the first body paragraph lists problems but does not explain why they might be more important than species loss. Your opinion in the introduction—that environmental concerns matter because they help save plants and animals—is also unclear as a response to the comparison. The examples are relevant but general. The response is 230 words, 20 words below the required minimum; the 22 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. Develop the reasons and examples further to address every part more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate body paragraphs and a conclusion. The sequence from general environmental problems to species loss is understandable, and linking expressions such as “On the other hand,” “For example,” and “In conclusion” help signal relationships. However, progression within the argument is limited: the first body paragraph lists air pollution and plastic waste without connecting them explicitly to the claim that other problems may be more important. Repeated use of “Therefore” also makes cohesion somewhat mechanical, and the conclusion largely repeats the preceding paragraph rather than drawing the two views together. Build clearer links between each example and the comparison, and vary how you connect consequences and recommendations.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “air pollution,” “plastic waste,” “natural habitats,” “deforestation,” and “climate change.” These terms are relevant and generally clear. However, the range is limited by repeated broad words and phrases such as “environmental problems,” “main,” and “protect,” while some expressions are imprecise or unnatural, including “environmental issues are a major concern in human lives” and “very essential.” This keeps the vocabulary from showing greater flexibility and precision. Choose more specific terms for the effects and relative importance of different problems, and use natural collocations. For instance, “a major concern for people” is more idiomatic than “a major concern in human lives.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You produce clear simple sentences and attempt some complex structures, particularly with relative clauses (“air pollution, which is caused by factories and vehicles”) and a “when” clause (“when forests are cut down”). Most sentences are understandable, and punctuation is generally controlled. However, the sentence patterns are repetitive, with many short statements joined by “which,” “while,” or “therefore,” and the range of complex structures remains modest. There are also awkward grammatical constructions, such as “a major concern in human lives” and “environmental concerns are very essential,” which affect naturalness. Practise varying clause structures—for example, using although, because, and conditional clauses—and check article and preposition choices when revising.

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