Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries, people do not recycle their rubbish as much as they could.

Why do you think this is?

What can be done to change this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

In many cities around the world, a significant proportion of residents do not utilise the recycling services provided by their local authorities. While this is a growing concern, the primary causes appear to be a lack of public awareness and the high cost associated with recycling. However, I believe that practical measures can be implemented to address these challenges effectively.

The foremost reason for low recycling rates is the insufficient knowledge among the general public regarding the importance and methods of recycling. To be more specific, many residents are unaware of which materials can be recycled or how to separate their waste correctly. This is often exacerbated by a lack of visible and accessible recycling bins in neighbourhoods, making it inconvenient for people to participate. For instance, in my own community, residents frequently express confusion about recycling guidelines, and bins are located too far from their homes, discouraging regular use.

Another significant deterrent is the high cost associated with recycling services. In many areas, residents are required to pay additional fees for recycling collection or to purchase special bags for recyclable materials. This financial burden discourages participation, particularly among low-income households who may prioritise cheaper disposal methods over environmentally responsible practices.

Nevertheless, there are effective solutions that authorities can adopt. Firstly, governments could invest in public awareness campaigns through television, social media, and local community events to educate citizens about the environmental and economic benefits of recycling. Secondly, reducing or waiving the fees associated with recycling would remove a major barrier. Offering incentives, such as tax breaks or discounts for households that recycle regularly, could further encourage participation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the lack of public awareness and high costs are significant obstacles to recycling, these issues can be resolved through education and financial incentives. By making recycling more accessible and affordable, local authorities can significantly increase participation rates and contribute to a more sustainable future

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for low recycling rates (lack of awareness and high costs) and potential solutions (education and financial incentives). The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of confusion regarding recycling guidelines and the financial burden on low-income households. The position is clear throughout, and the response maintains a consistent focus on the task requirements. The structure is logical, and the arguments are extended sufficiently to meet the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes and the solutions is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'The foremost reason', 'To be more specific', 'Nevertheless', and 'Firstly' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terminology such as 'local authorities', 'recycling services', 'financial burden', and 'sustainable future'. There is evidence of a flexible range of vocabulary, and the word choices are generally accurate. While the language is natural, it could benefit from a few more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band, but the current level is strong and demonstrates a good command of English.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While this is a growing concern...', '...if the residents are required to pay...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, and the overall grammatical accuracy is high, reflecting a strong command of English syntax.

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