Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-12

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 7.5)

In many countries, people do not recycle as much as they should. There are several reasons for this, and a number of actions can be taken to improve the situation.

One main reason is that many people find recycling confusing. In some places, different types of rubbish must be separated into many bins, and people are not always sure what goes where. Because of this, they may choose the easiest option, which is to throw everything into one bin. Another reason is that recycling is sometimes seen as inconvenient. If recycling centres are far away or if collection services are limited, people may not feel motivated to make the extra effort. In addition, some individuals do not understand how important recycling is. Without clear information, they may think their small actions do not make a difference.

However, there are several ways to encourage people to recycle more. First, governments can make recycling simpler by providing clear labels and easy‑to‑use bins. When people know exactly what to do, they are more likely to participate. Second, authorities can run public campaigns to explain why recycling matters and how it helps the environment. For example, schools and workplaces could offer short lessons or posters showing how recycling reduces waste and saves energy. Finally, governments could introduce small rewards, such as discounts or points, for people who recycle regularly. This would give people a practical reason to change their habits.

In conclusion, people often fail to recycle because it is confusing, inconvenient, or they do not understand its value. By making recycling easier, raising awareness, and offering incentives, countries can encourage more people to take part and help protect the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified two main reasons for low recycling rates—confusion and inconvenience—and provided logical, actionable solutions such as simplified systems and public awareness campaigns. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of school lessons and posters. The position is clear throughout, and the structure follows a logical progression that directly answers the 'why' and 'what can be done' components of the task. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more specific real-world examples or data to further substantiate your arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'One main reason,' 'Another reason,' 'In addition,' and 'Finally,' which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the problems and the solutions is smooth. The writing is easy to follow, and the use of referencing is accurate throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'limited collection services,' 'participate,' and 'practical reason' are used correctly. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it is largely functional and lacks a wider range of less common or more sophisticated lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently natural and fits the context of the essay well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good control of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'When people know exactly what to do, they are more likely to participate.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using more passive voice constructions or advanced relative clauses to add further sophistication to your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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