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)

some poeple believe that one of the major environmental issues nowadays is that certain species have become extinct. While others argue that there are plenty of other concerns. I strongly believe that surely there are other things to worry about.

on the one hand, some people think that the disappearing of particular species of wildlife plays a minor role in environmental damage. This can be shown with the scarcity of animals like tigers, lions and bears. Now, they are only found in zoos and sancutaries, which results in th elack of breeding of particular animals. In addition, there are plants that particulary became scarce . For instance spinach is really high-cost in some countries because it very rare to find. All of these events are widely caused

by the recklesness of individuals and businesses. Especially, in the industrial areas, a large number of companies throw their waste in the ocean,which leads to marine's habitants death. Moreover, the construction of buildings is growing all over the world, which contributes to the destruction of inhabitants like animals and plants.

On the other hand, some argue that there are numerous other problems that are concerning. Firstly emissions of carbon dioxide are increasing in the fastest way possible, which play a huge part in climate change. More air pollution, more harm to the environment, including plants animals and even individuals. For example, research suggest that the upward of carbon footprint is causing fire in forests and natural zones.

In conclusion, while some individuals believe that the loss of particular species of the wildlife add to environmental detorioration. I strongly think that there another different issues that can harm the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a clear overall view that other environmental problems are more important, and you discuss both species loss and wider concerns such as emissions and air pollution. The examples of wildlife being confined to zoos and habitat destruction are relevant. However, the discussion of species loss is not always clearly connected to the claim that it is a major environmental problem: describing it as playing “a minor role” conflicts with the task’s first viewpoint. The spinach example is also not convincingly linked to species extinction. Your points about climate change and pollution are relevant but need fuller explanation and more specific support. Clarify each side’s argument and develop your own position consistently.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an identifiable introduction, two body paragraphs beginning with “on the one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a conclusion, so the reader can recognise the intended structure. The main ideas are generally grouped by viewpoint. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven: the first body paragraph moves from wildlife scarcity to spinach, industrial waste, and construction without clearly explaining how each point supports the same argument. Some linking is mechanical, and the opening uses a full stop between closely connected clauses (“…extinct. While others argue…”). The conclusion repeats the position but does not bring the main arguments together. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each example explicitly to the paragraph’s central claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “species,” “emissions of carbon dioxide,” “climate change,” “marine,” and “destruction of habitats,” which helps communicate the subject. There are also attempts at more specific expressions such as “carbon footprint.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, including “the disappearing of particular species,” “marine’s habitants,” and “the upward of carbon footprint.” Spelling errors such as “sancutaries,” “recklesness,” and “detorioration” are noticeable and reduce precision. Aim for accurate environmental collocations and check spelling; this will make your ideas easier to follow and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, using structures such as “which leads to…” and “because…,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some passages difficult to read. For example, “which play a huge part” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “because it very rare to find” is missing a verb. The opening fragment “While others argue…” and the conclusion’s “I strongly think that there another different issues” also show problems with clause structure and verb forms. Punctuation and sentence boundaries need attention as well. Practise building complete sentences and checking agreement, articles, and required verbs.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.