Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-22

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 an ongoing debate regarding the environmental problems, many consider the main one in our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. while others argue that there are more important environmental problems than that. Therefore ahead of my opinion, both point of views wil be discussed further.

Examining the point of view that considers the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of animal and plant species, the holders of that point of view defend it by putting forward many arguments, such as :

firstly, the loss of particular species of plants and animals will have catastrophic consequences on the ecosystem in which it leads to a chain reaction that harms the food chain of that ecosystem.

Furthermore they argue that the extinction of plant and animal species will put an end to the diversity of our planet.

On the other hand, people who hold the second point of view which states that there are more important environmental problems than the extinction of animal and plant species, give the examples of global warming, sand crawling, drought, the rise of sea levels... etc.

Therefore, personally i agree with the second point of view which states that there are other environmental problems more important than the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Because many of the other environmental problems are a direct danger to all the living creatures on earth not just some particular species.

In conclusion, the extinction of particular species of plants and animals is not the main environmental problem of our time, and that there are more important ones that should be solved ahead of this one.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both views and state your own position: you explain that species loss can disrupt ecosystems and reduce biodiversity, then support the alternative view by naming global warming, drought and rising sea levels. However, the discussion is only partial and the ideas remain under-developed. For example, you say other problems threaten “all the living creatures on earth,” but do not explain how one of them creates a wider or more immediate danger than species loss. The examples “sand crawling” and drought are listed without explanation. The response also contains 236 words, below the required 250; this limits the space available to develop your reasoning. Add specific examples and explain the consequences of each view before reaching your conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting both views, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “Furthermore,” “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help signal shifts in the discussion. However, progression within the main paragraph is not always clear because the two viewpoints are compressed together, and the second view receives little explanation before your opinion appears. Some transitions are mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “point of view” and “Therefore.” The opening sentence also joins separate ideas with a comma, making the relationship between them unclear. Give each viewpoint its own paragraph, use clear topic sentences, and connect each example to the claim it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “ecosystem,” “food chain,” “extinction,” “diversity” and “global warming,” which allows you to discuss the subject. There is also an attempt at more formal phrasing, such as “catastrophic consequences.” However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the intended meaning less clear. “Sand crawling” does not clearly name an environmental problem, while “ahead of this one” is not a natural way to express priority. Repetition of “particular species” and “point of view” also restricts variety. Build a more precise set of environmental terms and check collocations so that examples and comparisons are expressed naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt complex structures, including “the loss of particular species … will have catastrophic consequences” and a sentence beginning “Because many of the other environmental problems…”. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For instance, “many consider the main one in our time is” lacks a grammatical link between “consider” and the following clause; “in which it leads” has an unclear structure; and “both point of views wil be discussed” contains errors in number and verb form. The opening also uses a comma where a full stop or suitable conjunction is needed. Practise building accurate clauses with “that” after reporting verbs, and proofread agreement, verb forms, sentence boundaries and punctuation.

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