Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-03

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 environmental issues are widely increasing day by day. Many people say that the disappearance of particular type of species of plants and animals were the major environmental concern of our time; however, others believe that there are more important environmental issues such as air and water pollution. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and give my opinion.

On the one hand, the main environmental issue of past was the extinction of particular species of plants and animals. This is largely because of deforestation. As population was increasing day be day, the government has to take some appropriate measures such as building new homes and other facilities for the survival of individuals. As a result, deforestation takes place, which leads to the disappearance of particualr species of plants and animals. Studies have shown that as human population was increasing on earth, so government had to take some initiatives for their livelihood, which resulted in the loss of species of plants and animals.

On the other hand, others believe that air and water pollution are more concerning issues of environment. Increase in the level of air and water pollution are destroying are natural resources. Combustion of fossil fuels is effecting the quality of air people breathe, which impacting individuals health. In addition to this, waste from industries are discarded into rivers and ponds, which contaminate the water we drink. If the government take appropriate measure to solve this issue, it can significantly improve the pollution, which ultimately benefits the society.

In conclusion, different people feel differently. I strongly believe that both arguments have valid points, the government should implement strict laws, in order to save our natural resources.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views by discussing species loss and pollution, and your final sentence gives a clear preference for action on both concerns. The explanation of species decline is relevant: you connect deforestation with population growth and the need for housing. However, the discussion is uneven and some points remain under-developed. The first view is described as the main issue “of past,” which does not clearly establish why it is a major problem today, while the pollution paragraph names effects but gives little explanation of their wider environmental consequences. Your opinion also appears mainly in the conclusion rather than being developed through the essay. Explain why you consider both arguments valid and support each view with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” make the progression easy to follow. Within paragraphs, however, connections are sometimes mechanical or unclear. The repeated explanation that population growth led the government to take initiatives appears twice in the first body paragraph, and “which” in “which impacting individuals health” does not form a clear grammatical link. The conclusion also moves quickly from acknowledging both arguments to recommending laws without summarising the reasoning. Avoid repeating the same point and use clearer links between cause, effect, and your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant environmental vocabulary, including “deforestation,” “extinction,” “fossil fuels,” and “contaminate,” which helps communicate the topic. There is also some attempt to vary expressions, such as “environmental concern” and “natural resources.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. “Improve the pollution” is not a natural expression, and “particular type of species” is awkward; “particular species” would be clearer. Spelling errors such as “particualr” and “effecting” also reduce accuracy. Build a more precise set of topic collocations and check spelling, especially for words that change meaning, such as “affect” and “effect.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including cause-and-effect clauses with “As a result” and conditional structures beginning “If the government…”. The main ideas are generally understandable, but some errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction remain. For example, “the disappearance … were” should use a singular verb, while “Increase … are destroying” has a subject–verb agreement problem. In “which impacting individuals health,” the clause needs a finite verb, and “If the government take” requires a correctly formed verb. Tense choices also shift awkwardly between past and present in the first body paragraph. Review agreement and verb forms, then proofread complex sentences to ensure each clause is complete.

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