Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-03
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 6.0)
Some people believe that governments can prevent illnesses and diseases by tackling environmental pollution and housing problems rather than focusing primarily on medical treatment. I strongly agree with this view because improving environmental quality and living conditions addresses the root causes of many health issues and reduces the burden on healthcare systems.
One of the most effective ways to prevent diseases is by reducing environmental pollution. Air pollution from factories and vehicles is a major contributor to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while contaminated water can spread infectious illnesses such as cholera and typhoid. By enforcing stricter environmental regulations, promoting renewable energy, expanding public transportation, and ensuring proper waste management, governments can significantly reduce citizens’ exposure to harmful pollutants. As a result, fewer people are likely to develop chronic diseases, leading to improved public health and lower healthcare expenditure.
In addition, improving housing conditions plays a crucial role in disease prevention. Poorly maintained and overcrowded housing often lacks adequate ventilation, sanitation, and access to clean water, creating ideal conditions for the spread of infectious diseases. Damp and mouldy homes can also trigger allergies and respiratory illnesses. Governments should therefore invest in affordable housing, enforce building standards, and provide reliable water supply and sewage systems. Such measures not only reduce the transmission of diseases but also enhance residents’ physical and mental well-being.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that governments can substantially reduce the prevalence of illnesses by addressing environmental pollution and housing problems. Preventive measures that create cleaner surroundings and healthier living conditions are more sustainable and cost-effective than relying solely on medical treatment. Therefore, prioritising environmental protection and housing improvements is essential for building a healthier society.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 2.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks why people do not recycle and what can be done to change this. However, the student has written an essay about how governments can prevent illnesses by tackling pollution and housing problems. Because the response fails to address the specific task requirements regarding recycling, it cannot be awarded a passing score for Task Achievement. While the ideas are well-developed in their own right, they do not answer the prompt provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
Despite being off-topic, the essay is well-structured. It uses clear paragraphing, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct theme (pollution and housing). Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The logical progression of ideas is clear, and the internal structure of the paragraphs is sound, demonstrating a good command of discourse markers and paragraph management.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The vocabulary is varied and precise, demonstrating a good range of academic language. Phrases such as 'tackling environmental pollution', 'respiratory and cardiovascular diseases', 'healthcare expenditure', and 'sustainable and cost-effective' are used accurately and in appropriate contexts. The student shows an ability to use less common lexical items with good control, which would be highly effective if the content were relevant to the prompt.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The grammar is of a high standard. The student uses a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional-like constructions and participial phrases (e.g., 'By enforcing stricter environmental regulations... governments can...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over complex structures is consistent, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication.
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