Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-24

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)

Many people are of the view that the extinction of specific species of plants and animals is the most critical environmental crisis nowadays, whereas others believe that challenges are much more than this, such as climate change, pollution, and a growing population. In my opinion, although the loss of biodiversity has become a major concern, Global warming and population growth are far more urgent because they are root causes of environmental issues. This essay will look into some of the reasons that require our immediate attention in order to control them and save the environment.

On the one hand, the loss of plants and animals disrupts ecosystems and food chains, with direct effects on the environment, as many species suffer as a result. Plants and herbs play a vital role in making medicines used to treat serious illnesses; moreover, animal species have great aesthetic value and add to the beauty of forests and the environment. Without these, the world will be nothing but detached from the natural world.

On the other hand, the environment is facing some more serious issues, such as the growing population, climate change, and the different types of pollution. Addressing such serious issues is becoming difficult. The most alarming of these is global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Glaciers are melting and bringing massive and destructive floods. An increase in the population is causing a great deal of demand for resources. Pollution is at a threatening level. All these issues are of great concern.

In conclusion, loss of biodiversity is concerning, but we can never close our eyes to some major issues that our planet is facing. It’s high time that we take measures to address these issues to save our environment. The government and the masses are collectively responsible for ensuring a safe environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a clear opinion: biodiversity loss matters, but global warming and population growth are more urgent because they contribute to wider environmental problems. The discussion of species loss is relevant, particularly the points about ecosystems, food chains and medicinal plants. However, this side is less fully developed than the discussion of other problems, and the claim that animal species have “great aesthetic value” is not explained in relation to environmental importance. The second view also lists climate change, population growth and pollution without developing each one equally; for example, the effects of pollution are asserted rather than illustrated. To strengthen the response, explain the causal links and support key claims with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear, effective structure: the introduction presents the two positions and your view, separate body paragraphs discuss each side, and the conclusion restates your position. Progression is easy to follow, and signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” helps readers navigate the argument. You also connect ideas within sentences using “whereas,” “moreover,” and “although.” At times, however, cohesion relies on broad or repetitive references, as in “All these issues are of great concern” and “these issues” in the conclusion. More precise links showing how population growth contributes to pollution or emissions would make the progression more integrated and less list-like.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “extinction,” “biodiversity,” “ecosystems,” “food chains,” “greenhouse gas emissions,” and “glaciers.” These choices make the subject clear, and phrases such as “root causes” show an attempt at more precise expression. Some collocations and word choices are less natural or precise: “the challenges are much more than this” is unclear, “detached from the natural world” does not convey the intended consequence clearly, and “pollution is at a threatening level” is awkward. “Global warming” is also capitalised mid-sentence. To move further, choose more idiomatic collocations and avoid repeating general terms such as “issues” and “environment” when a specific term is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including a well-formed contrast with “although” and a relative clause in “greenhouse gas emissions,” as well as the sentence beginning “Without these.” Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly. Some grammatical and punctuation slips remain: “Global warming” is unnecessarily capitalised in the middle of a sentence, and “Without these, the world will be nothing but detached from the natural world” has an awkward construction that makes the intended meaning difficult to follow. The sentence “Plants and herbs play a vital role …; moreover, animal species…” is grammatically controlled, though the semicolon joins closely related points rather abruptly. Continue varying sentence patterns, while checking clause construction and punctuation so complex sentences remain clear.

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