Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Environmental problems are one of the major problems of the modern world, which are caused by many reasons. Most of the people think that degradation of plant and animals loss are the main causes of environmental problem, while other people think that other important problem are main cause of environmental problem.

Advocates on the side who say the loss of plants and animals is the main reason for causing environmental problems. For example, the increasing population needs more space to live, so they cut down forests. As forests are cut, this is the main reason for the loss of plants and animals. Since most of the plant situated in the forest, the animals lives there, there habitats are forest it we cut down forest the habitat of different animals lost. Carbon trapped in forests is released when we cut forest trees, after that its creating global warming, and climate change is also one of the consequences of cutting trees.

On the other hand, people say other reasons are more important in causing environmental problems. For instance, water pollution is created by throwing waste into rivers, which creates environmental problems. Waste is normally created by different kinds of industries throwing their waste in water; it mixes witth water. This water is not suitable for a water plant and the habitat of different kinds of fish lives in this water. other reasons are gas emmison from power plants, which create the most air pollution.

I think all of these reasons play an important role in creating pollution in the environment. We should not overlook some of the reasons and cannot call one the main. All the reasons combined create pollution in the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both viewpoints and give your own position: the body paragraphs cover habitat loss and other problems such as water pollution and emissions, while the conclusion says that all contribute and none should be singled out. This addresses the task, but the discussion is only partly developed. The first view is linked to deforestation, carbon release and climate change, yet the explanation does not clearly establish why species loss itself is the main environmental problem. The second view names pollution sources but gives little comparison of their scale or consequences. Your opinion is present, though “all of these reasons play an important role” remains broad. Develop each side with a clearer explanation and a specific example, then state more precisely how you weigh the problems.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a concluding opinion. “On the other hand” clearly signals the shift between positions, and examples generally follow the claims they support. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow because several ideas are joined without clear links. In the first body paragraph, the move from forest habitat loss to carbon release and climate change needs a more explicit explanation of how these points relate to the question of species loss. References such as “this water” and “it” are not always precise, and repeated use of “environmental problems” makes connections feel mechanical. Use clearer topic sentences and link each example directly to the paragraph’s main claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “habitat,” “forests,” “water pollution,” “industries,” and “global warming,” so the reader can understand the main environmental issues. There are also attempts at more specific expressions such as “carbon trapped in forests.” However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. Phrases such as “degradation of plant and animals loss” and “gas emmison” are unclear, while “create environmental problems” is repeated rather than replaced with more precise language. Spelling errors, including “witth” and “emmison,” also reduce accuracy. Build a bank of accurate environmental terms and check spelling, word forms, and natural combinations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including cause-and-effect structures with “so,” “since,” and “when.” This gives the response some variety, but control is inconsistent, and faulty complex sentences sometimes make relationships difficult to understand. For example, “Since most of the plant situated in the forest, the animals lives there” has problems with clause structure and subject–verb agreement; “if we cut down forest the habitat … lost” also lacks accurate verb forms and punctuation. Other errors include “other important problem are” and “the habitat … lives,” where agreement or sentence construction is faulty. Practise building complete clauses with accurate subjects and verbs, and check articles, plurals, and punctuation, especially in longer sentences.

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