Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-02

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 5.0)

It is widely debated whether most current environmental problems are caused by decline of various species of plants and animals, while others argue that there are other significant issues related to environment . From my perspective, while the loss of biodiversity play a crucial role but pollution and global warming has a far greater impact on environment.

First and foremost, the loss of plants and animal species has a significant impact on the food chain which leads to the disruption of entire natural ecosystem. For instance, the decline of honey bees has a directly impact on the pollination of plants which leads to reduced yield of plants and vegetables. Furthermore, a decline in the tiger population lead to overpopulation of herbiovores which also has a negative impact on environment.

On the other hand,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the topic and gives a clear preference: pollution and global warming are said to have a greater impact than biodiversity loss. It also begins to explain the first view, using bees and tigers as examples. However, the discussion is incomplete: the opposing view about other environmental problems is not developed, and the response ends immediately after “On the other hand,” without giving reasons or examples for your position. The task therefore receives only minimal treatment, and the reader cannot see a complete comparison or conclusion. It is also substantially below the required 250 words, which leaves too little space to address both views. Develop each side with specific explanations and examples, then restate your opinion in a concluding paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introductory paragraph is followed by a paragraph about species loss, and phrases such as “First and foremost” and “For instance” signal the relationship between ideas. The examples are placed in a generally understandable order. However, there is no completed progression to the second viewpoint: “On the other hand,” is left as a fragment, so the essay stops before its central comparison can be made. The short response also has no conclusion, and the link between the opening opinion and supporting discussion is not fully developed. To improve, use separate, complete paragraphs for each view and a final paragraph that summarises your position; ensure every linking phrase introduces a finished idea.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “biodiversity,” “food chain,” “pollination,” and “global warming,” which helps communicate the subject and shows some range beyond basic environmental terms. Some phrasing is also appropriately formal, such as “significant impact.” However, several word choices or forms are inaccurate or awkward, including “herbiovores” (the standard spelling is “herbivores”), “a directly impact,” and “related to environment.” The repeated use of “impact” also limits variety. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the main points, but more accurate collocations and a broader range of environmental terms would make the writing more precise. For example, you could refer to “ecosystem disruption,” “habitat destruction,” or “greenhouse-gas emissions.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms. For example, the sentence beginning “For instance” uses a relative clause to explain how bee decline affects pollination, and “while” is used to introduce a contrast in the opening. Meaning is generally recoverable, but there are recurring errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction. In “the loss of biodiversity play,” the singular subject requires “plays”; “global warming has” should agree with the plural subject “pollution and global warming”; and “the decline of tiger population lead” needs an article and a matching verb form. The opening contrast is also awkwardly constructed. Check subject–verb agreement and article use, and revise complex sentences to ensure their clauses fit together correctly.

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