Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-25

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)

It is argued that the main cause of envirnomnent hazard is due to the extinction of cetain plants and animals, while others believe that there are more serious environmemtal issues. I strongly believe that air and water pollution are more significant environmental problems.

Admittedly, the extinction of plants and animals can disrupt the food chain and lead to the loss of valuable natural resources. This is because different species depend on one another for survival, meaning that the disappearance of one species can affect others within the ecosystem. For example, if certain fish species become extinct, birds and other animals that feed on them may struggle to find food, threatening their survival. Furthermore, some plants are used to produce medicines, while animals provide food and income for many people. If these species disappear, humans may lose important resources that support their health and livelihoods. Therefore, the extinction of plants and animals can have serious consequences for both the natural environment and human life.

However, water and air pollution are more serious environment problems beacause they threaten human health and natural resources. Air pollution is often caused by smoke and harmful gases released by factories, which can contaminate the atmosphere and cause respiratory diseases. Furthermore, water pollution occurs when people dispose of their waste into gutters, which may eventually carry the waste into rivers during rainfall. This contaminates water sources and can harm aquatic animals, such as fish and crabs, which may become ill or die. For instance, people who depend on rivers for drinking water or fishing may experience health problems and lose their sources of income. Consequetly, pollution can cause serious illnesses in humans, kill aquatic animals and destroy the livelihoods of people who depend on fishing for their income.

In conclusion, although the loss of plant and animal species is a serious issue, I believe air and water pollution are more significant because they threaten human health and wildlife.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses both views and gives a clear, consistent opinion that air and water pollution are more significant. The discussion of species loss is supported with relevant consequences, including disruption to food chains and the loss of medicinal plants and livelihoods. The pollution paragraph is also extended through causes, health effects and impacts on people who rely on rivers. These examples make the position clear and relevant. To strengthen the response further, develop the comparison between the scale or reach of pollution and species loss more explicitly; the claim that pollution is “more serious” is supported mainly by listing harms rather than directly weighing the two problems. Overall, the task is fully addressed with ideas extended and supported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear four-paragraph structure: introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Its progression is easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “Admittedly,” “However,” “Furthermore,” and “In conclusion” guide the reader through the argument. Examples are generally placed next to the claims they support, and the conclusion restates the writer’s position. Cohesion is effective overall, though some links are a little mechanical: “Furthermore” appears repeatedly, and the final pollution paragraph repeats several effects already mentioned in its preceding sentences. Use a wider range of referencing and transitions, and combine related consequences more economically, to make the connections less noticeable and the progression more fluid.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Vocabulary is adequate for discussing the topic, with useful terms such as “extinction,” “food chain,” “ecosystem,” “respiratory diseases,” and “livelihoods.” The writer also uses some topic-specific phrasing, including “aquatic animals” and “water sources,” and meaning remains clear despite errors. However, there are spelling mistakes in “envirnomnent,” “environmemtal,” “beacause,” and “Consequetly,” as well as imprecise or awkward choices such as “environment hazard” and “dispose of their waste into gutters.” Some wording is also repetitive, particularly “serious” and “pollution.” Aim for more accurate collocations and a broader range of precise terms—for example, describe pollution as a major environmental threat and waste as being discharged into drains or waterways.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex structures, including subordinate clauses with “because,” “if,” and “which,” and the sentence beginning “If these species disappear” shows an effective conditional pattern. Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly, and punctuation and paragraphing are generally controlled. Some grammatical issues remain, including the redundant construction “the main cause … is due to,” where “the main environmental problem is” would be cleaner, and the awkward clause “water pollution occurs when people dispose of their waste into gutters, which may eventually carry the waste into rivers.” The latter makes the reference of “which” less clear. The essay shows some of the control expected at a stronger level, but greater consistency in sentence construction and clearer clause relationships are still needed.

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