Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-27
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organisation.
Why might this be the case?
What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 7.5)
Some people believe that the most serious environmental issue today is the extinction of particular species of plants and animals. Others argue that problems such as climate change and pollution are even more important. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe all environmental problems are connected, although climate change deserves greater attention.
On the one hand, the loss of plant and animal species is a major concern because biodiversity is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Every species plays a unique role in nature, and the extinction of one can disturb the balance of the food chain. For example, the disappearance of bees has reduced pollination, which negatively affects agriculture and food production. Therefore, protecting endangered species is necessary for both nature and human survival.
On the other hand, many people believe that environmental issues such as climate change, air pollution, and water contamination are even more urgent. These problems affect millions of people directly by causing extreme weather events, poor health, and shortages of clean water. Moreover, climate change is one of the main reasons why many species are becoming extinct. Rising temperatures, deforestation, and melting ice caps destroy natural habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to survive.
In my opinion, although the extinction of species is a serious issue, climate change and pollution should be given higher priority because they are the root causes of many other environmental problems. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting forests, and promoting renewable energy, governments can help both people and wildlife.
In conclusion, while the disappearance of plants and animals is an alarming problem, broader environmental challenges such as climate change and pollution have a greater overall impact. Addressing these issues will also help preserve biodiversity for future generations.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks about the reasons for and disadvantages of being self-employed, but the essay discusses environmental issues, specifically the extinction of species versus climate change. As the response fails to address any part of the actual task instructions, it cannot be assessed for task achievement in a meaningful way regarding the prompt. According to IELTS criteria, a response that is completely unrelated to the topic must be penalised heavily, as it does not address the requirements of the task at all.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
Despite being off-topic, the essay itself is well-structured. It follows a standard academic format with a clear introduction, body paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. The progression of the argument is logical and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. The internal coherence of the text is strong, even though the content does not match the prompt provided.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
The vocabulary is sophisticated and appropriate for an academic essay. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terminology such as 'biodiversity', 'ecosystems', 'pollination', 'water contamination', and 'greenhouse gas emissions'. The word choice is precise and natural, demonstrating a high level of lexical control. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or collocation. While the vocabulary is not relevant to the prompt, the quality of the language used is high and demonstrates a strong command of English.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses ('although climate change deserves greater attention', 'because biodiversity is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few, if any, errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over sentence structure is excellent, and the writing flows smoothly. The grammatical range and accuracy are consistent with a high-level performance, showing a strong grasp of English syntax.
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