Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-30

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)

It is often argued that the main problem of our environment in current time is the loss of some particular species of plants and animals, while others argue that there are many more important environmental problems. In this essay, I will discuss both views and give my opinion.

Many people argues that the main environmental problem is the loss of some specific species of plants and animals. Losing the biodiversity can cause the problem because the less kinds of plants and animals we have, the less environment sustainability we have. As a result, we can see the climate change and breaking of ozone layer happening in our today's world, which is an alarming situation.

The main problem can be curable if we take the right steps like authorities should ban to cut more trees for further housing societies etc.

However, others argue that there are many more environmental problems which should be considered as important. Factory's waste going in to the sea is one of the main reason of environmental problems. Additionally, the air pollution is also a kind of environmental problems, which disturbed the whole biodiversity. Factories which throw their waste in sea or in fresh water damages the fishes and habitats living in the sea because sometimes they can eat waste like plastics which can harm them, whereas air pollution damages the natural oxygen. Factories, who throws waste in sea should penalised by the government, while for air pollution government should inclined more towards electric cars.

In my opinion, there are more important environmental problems we should consider them and fix it as soon as possible because environmental solutions should be our first priority. In conclusion, some people who argues about loss of biodiversity are right and others who says there are more important problems are also right.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state your opinion, so the response is relevant to the task. The paragraph on biodiversity explains that species loss can reduce environmental sustainability, while the other side gives examples of water and air pollution. However, the discussion is only partly developed: the link between biodiversity loss and climate change or ozone depletion is asserted rather than explained, and the proposed tree-cutting ban is not clearly connected to protecting particular species. Your opinion that other problems are more important is stated, but the conclusion then says both sides are right without clarifying why you prioritise pollution. Develop each view with a clearer explanation or example, and keep your position consistent throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Connectors such as “However,” “Additionally,” and “In conclusion” help signal the direction of the discussion. At times, though, the progression within paragraphs is difficult to follow. For example, the first body paragraph moves from biodiversity loss to climate change and ozone depletion, then to housing development, without making the links explicit. The pollution paragraph also repeats the point about factories discharging waste into water. The final sentence does not fully follow from the stated opinion. Organise each paragraph around one main claim, explain its supporting point, and use referencing and transitions to show how ideas relate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “biodiversity,” “air pollution,” “habitats,” and “environmental solutions,” which allows you to discuss the subject. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “loss of biodiversity” and “electric cars.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or repetitive, which makes some ideas less clear. Examples include “the less environment sustainability,” “breaking of ozone layer,” and “natural oxygen”; these do not express the intended environmental concepts naturally. “Environmental problems” and “factories” are repeated several times. Build a more precise range of topic language and check common word partnerships, while avoiding phrases whose meaning is unclear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “because,” “while,” and “whereas.” This gives the response some structural variety, and the main meaning is generally recoverable. However, errors occur frequently in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “Many people argues” should have a plural verb, and “Factories, who throws waste … should penalised” contains several errors that obscure the intended structure. Other examples include “the less kinds” and “we should consider them and fix it,” where number agreement is inconsistent. Practise forming accurate complex sentences and check subject–verb agreement, singular and plural references, and verb patterns before submitting.

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