Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-28

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 that some believe that the loss of particular species of plants and animals is the main enviromental problem, while some believe that there are other crucial enivromental problems. Although both perspectives have their points, I am more incline to support the latter view.

Proponents for the former viewpoint argue that the extinction of plants and animals are the major problems. The reasoning stems from the belief that these problems are caused by the action of individuals such as deforestation. Deforestation removes their habitats, making them extinct. This might affect natural equillibrium such that some specific animals can be fed with a specific diet. As a result, there animals will not have a suitable diet and might die.

On the other hand, many argued that there are more significant environmental problems. People should focus on problems that affects every part of the world. Losing particular species is something that you can control. It is viewed as little concern compared to something detrimental such as global warming. I find this perspective more convincing because there are many other environmental problems that are more important than something that you can control.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You discuss both views and state a clear preference for the view that other environmental problems are more important. The first paragraph gives a relevant example—deforestation removing habitats—and attempts to explain how species loss can affect food chains. However, this explanation is brief, and the second view is asserted rather than supported: the claim that global warming is more significant needs a specific consequence or example. Your opinion is also repeated without being fully justified. The response contains 184 words, so it is 66 words below the required minimum; this limits the space available to develop the arguments. To strengthen the response, explain each viewpoint with a concrete example and show why your chosen concern has wider effects.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph presenting the first view, and a paragraph presenting the alternative and your opinion. Transitions such as “Although,” “On the other hand,” and “As a result” help readers follow the basic progression. However, the development is abrupt, particularly where the discussion moves from species loss to the claim that it is controllable, without explaining that connection. “These problems” and “there animals” also make references less clear. The conclusion is not separated from the final body paragraph, and the ending largely repeats the opinion. Use clearer links between claims and evidence, and add a brief concluding sentence that synthesises your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “extinction,” “deforestation,” “habitats,” “natural equilibrium,” and “global warming,” which allows you to communicate the main ideas. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “Proponents for the former viewpoint.” However, the range is limited and several choices or spellings reduce precision: “enviromental” and “enivromental” are misspelled, “Proponents for” is an awkward collocation, and “something that you can control” is vague and conversational. Repetition of “problems” and “particular species” also restricts variety. Aim for accurate topic-specific terms and more precise phrasing, such as describing the scale or consequences of environmental threats.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including the concessive opening “Although both perspectives have their points” and the result clause beginning “As a result.” Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “the extinction of plants and animals are” has a singular subject with a plural verb, while “problems that affects” has a plural subject with a singular verb. “I am more incline” also uses the wrong form after “am,” and “there animals” should use a possessive determiner. The sentence “This might affect natural equillibrium such that…” is difficult to follow structurally. Check subject–verb agreement and verb forms, and practise building complex sentences around one clear main clause.

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