IELTS Writing Task 2: Endangered Species (Problem Solution) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Prompt: Some people believe that protecting endangered species is a waste of money when there are so many other problems in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Give relevant support for your answer.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response: 5.0 (Presents a position but with limited development and some irrelevant points)
• Coherence and Cohesion: 6.0 (Logical but with some unclear progression)
• Lexical Resource: 6.0 (Mixes some appropriate vocabulary with errors and limited range)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 6.0 (Attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors)

Answer:

The protection of endangered species is a big problem. Some people think that saving animals is not important because there are other problems like poverty. I agree with this because we should help humans first.

Firstly, there are many people who are poor and hungry. If we spend money on animals, we cannot help these people. For example, in Africa, many children do not have enough food. We should give this money to them instead of animals.

Secondly, animals can be dangerous. Some animals like lions can hurt people. If we protect them, they might attack us. It is better to protect people than animals.

In conclusion, I think we should not spend money on endangered species. We should help humans who are in more danger.

Band 7.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response: 7.0 (Presents a clear position with some development and relevant support)
• Coherence and Cohesion: 7.0 (Logical progression with some use of cohesive devices)
• Lexical Resource: 7.0 (Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some errors and limited range)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 7.0 (Attempts complex sentences with some errors)

Answer:

The debate over whether to protect endangered species or focus on other global issues is a contentious one. I believe that while other problems exist, the protection of endangered species is crucial and should not be overlooked.

On one hand, it is undeniable that there are pressing issues such as poverty and hunger that demand attention. However, the extinction of species can have far-reaching consequences. For instance, the loss of bees, which are crucial pollinators, can disrupt entire ecosystems and ultimately affect food production.

On the other hand, some argue that protecting endangered species is expensive and that resources could be better spent elsewhere. While it is true that conservation efforts require funding, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. For example, ecotourism can generate significant revenue and create jobs, benefiting local communities.

In conclusion, while it is important to address other global issues, the protection of endangered species should not be neglected. A balanced approach that considers both human needs and environmental conservation is essential.

Band 8.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response: 8.0 (Presents a clear position with well-developed ideas and relevant support)
• Coherence and Cohesion: 8.0 (Logical progression with effective use of cohesive devices)
• Lexical Resource: 8.0 (Uses a range of appropriate vocabulary with some errors)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 8.0 (Uses complex sentences with some errors)

Answer:

The preservation of endangered species is a topic of considerable debate. While some argue that resources should be allocated to more pressing human issues, I firmly believe that protecting endangered species is not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity.

Proponents of diverting funds from conservation efforts often cite the need to address poverty and hunger. However, the interconnectedness of ecosystems means that the loss of even a single species can have cascading effects. For example, the disappearance of keystone species like wolves can lead to overpopulation of prey animals, which in turn can devastate vegetation and disrupt entire food webs.

Moreover, the economic benefits of conservation are well-documented. Ecotourism, for instance, can provide sustainable livelihoods for local communities. The Galapagos Islands, renowned for their unique biodiversity, attract thousands of tourists annually, generating significant revenue and employment opportunities.

In conclusion, the protection of endangered species is not a luxury but a necessity. It is crucial that we strike a balance between addressing human needs and preserving the natural world for future generations.

Band 9.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response: 9.0 (Presents a clear position with fully developed ideas and relevant support)
• Coherence and Cohesion: 9.0 (Logical progression with effective use of cohesive devices)
• Lexical Resource: 9.0 (Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with rare errors)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 9.0 (Uses complex sentences with rare errors)

Answer:

The imperative to protect endangered species is often overshadowed by the myriad of other global challenges. However, I contend that conservation efforts are not only ethically defensible but also pragmatically indispensable.

Those who advocate for the reallocation of resources from conservation to other pressing issues often point to the prevalence of poverty and hunger. While these are undeniably critical concerns, the extinction of species can exacerbate these very issues. For instance, the loss of pollinators such as bees can lead to crop failures, thereby exacerbating food insecurity.

Furthermore, the economic benefits of biodiversity conservation are manifold. Ecotourism, for example, can provide sustainable livelihoods for local communities. The revenue generated from ecotourism can be reinvested in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, thereby addressing some of the root causes of poverty.

In conclusion, the protection of endangered species is not a luxury but a necessity. It is incumbent upon us to adopt a holistic approach that addresses both human needs and environmental conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Endangered: At risk of extinction. (e.g., endangered species, endangered habitats)
2. Conservation: The protection and preservation of the natural environment. (e.g., conservation efforts, conservation programs)
3. Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat. (e.g., biodiversity conservation, biodiversity loss)
4. Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. (e.g., ecosystem disruption, ecosystem services)
5. Extinction: The dying out or extermination of a species. (e.g., species extinction, mass extinction)
6. Keystone species: A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. (e.g., keystone species, keystone predators)
7. Ecotourism: Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. (e.g., ecotourism, ecotourism destinations)
8. Sustainable: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources. (e.g., sustainable livelihoods, sustainable development)
9. Interconnectedness: The state of being interconnected or interdependent. (e.g., interconnected ecosystems, interconnected issues)
10. Cascading effects: A series of events or processes that follow one after another, often with increasing consequences. (e.g., cascading effects, cascading failures)
11. Revenue: Income generated from business activities. (e.g., revenue generation, revenue streams)
12. Imperative: Of vital importance. (e.g., moral imperative, ethical imperative)
13. Holistic: Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole. (e.g., holistic approach, holistic view)
14. Pragmatically: In a practical and sensible way. (e.g., pragmatically indispensable, pragmatically necessary)
15. Defensible: Able to be justified or explained. (e.g., ethically defensible, morally defensible)
16. Exacerbate: Make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. (e.g., exacerbate poverty, exacerbate hunger)
17. Prevalence: The fact or condition of being prevalent or widespread. (e.g., prevalence of poverty, prevalence of hunger)
18. Root causes: The fundamental reasons for a problem or issue. (e.g., root causes of poverty, root causes of hunger)
19. Reinvested: Invest again or in a different way. (e.g., reinvested in education, reinvested in healthcare)
20. Incumbent: Holding an office or position. (e.g., incumbent upon us, incumbent duty)

Common Mistakes

1. Ignoring the Problem-Solution Structure: Many students focus only on the problems or only on the solutions, failing to address both aspects comprehensively.
2. Lack of Specific Examples: Vague statements without concrete examples weaken the argument and reduce the score.
3. Poor Vocabulary Choices: Using repetitive or inappropriate vocabulary can lower the Lexical Resource score.
4. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical mistakes, especially in complex sentences, can significantly impact the score.
5. Inadequate Coherence and Cohesion: Poor paragraph structure and lack of logical flow can make the essay difficult to follow.

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