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.
Sample Response
There is no doubt that environmental issues are becoming more pressing and that we need to take action to address them. Some people believe that the loss of particular species of plants and animals is the most important environmental problem of our time. Others argue that there are more pressing concerns. In my opinion, the loss of species is indeed a critical issue, and one that we must prioritize if we are to preserve our planet's biodiversity.
On the one hand, those who argue that the loss of species is not the most important environmental problem might point to issues such as climate change or pollution. They might argue that these are more pressing concerns because they have a more immediate impact on human beings. For example, pollution can lead to health problems, and climate change can result in natural disasters that threaten human lives. However, while these issues are undoubtedly important, they are also interconnected with the loss of species. For instance, climate changes can lead to habitat loss, which can in turn lead to the extinction of particular species.
On the contrary, those who opine that the loss of species is the most important environmental issue express that it has far-reaching consequences that are not always immediately apparent. Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and the loss of a single species can have a ripple effect throughout an entire ecosystem. For example, the extinction of bees can have serious consequences for agriculture, as bees play a vital role in pollinating crops. The loss of particular species can also have implications for human health, as many drugs and treatments are derived from natural sources.
In conclusion, while there are certainly other pressing environmental concerns, I believe that the loss of specific species is a critical issue that we must prioritize if we are to preserve our planet's biodiversity. The loss of species has far-reaching implications for human well-being and the health of ecosystems, and we must take action to address it before it is too late.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Improve the wording Original: environmental issues are becoming more pressing Suggested revision: environmental issues are becoming increasingly urgent Why it matters: Increasingly urgent is more concise and precise.
- 2. Improve the wording Original: particular species of plants and animals Suggested revision: particular plant and animal species Why it matters: The compact noun phrase is clearer.
- 3. Improve the wording Original: more immediate impact on human beings Suggested revision: more immediate impact on people Why it matters: People is more concise without changing the meaning.
- 4. Improve the wording Original: changes Suggested revision: change Why it matters: Climate change is an uncountable singular term here.
- 5. Improve the wording Original: On the contrary Suggested revision: On the other hand Why it matters: This transition introduces the opposing view rather than directly contradicting the previous statement.
- 6. Improve the wording Original: opine Suggested revision: believe Why it matters: Believe is clearer and more natural in this reporting structure.
- 7. Improve the wording Original: express Suggested revision: argue Why it matters: Argue that is the correct reporting collocation.
- 8. Improve the wording Original: far-reaching consequences that are not always immediately apparent Suggested revision: far-reaching consequences that may not be immediately apparent Why it matters: The modal may states the qualification more concisely.
- 9. Improve the wording Original: throughout Suggested revision: across Why it matters: Across is the natural preposition with ripple effect.
- 10. Improve the wording Original: specific Suggested revision: particular Why it matters: Particular is consistent with the terminology used elsewhere in the essay.
Suggested Rewrites
- environmental issues are becoming more pressing environmental issues are becoming increasingly urgent
- particular species of plants and animals particular plant and animal species
- more immediate impact on human beings more immediate impact on people
- changes change
- On the contrary On the other hand
- opine believe
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response fully engages with both views, sustains a clear opinion, and develops its case through relevant explanations and concrete examples in a well-controlled structure. The main limitation is minor lexical imprecision and some repetition of the position, while the alternative view could be weighed more independently before being linked back to biodiversity. Prioritize sharper comparative evaluation and more consistently natural phrasing.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views and the writer's opinion are directly addressed, with well-developed explanations and relevant examples showing the wider consequences of species loss.
Deepen the comparison by explicitly weighing why biodiversity loss should take priority over the immediate human impacts of pollution and climate change.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically sequenced into focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices guide the reader clearly through contrast, examples, qualification, and conclusion.
Refine the transition into the biodiversity argument so the contrast is expressed more naturally and avoids a slightly formulaic shift.
Lexical Resource
A wide and generally precise vocabulary supports nuanced discussion of biodiversity, ecosystems, human health, and environmental priorities, with only occasional awkward phrasing.
Replace less natural combinations such as those who opine express that and on the contrary with concise, idiomatic alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately and flexibly, with most sentences error-free and only rare minor lapses.
Maintain this control while checking isolated number and phrasing choices, such as climate change rather than climate changes in the general sense.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
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.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.