Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-06

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 7.0)

In the contemporary era, it is frequently observed that people do not recycle their waste as much as they could. This is mainly because they do not have sufficient knowledge or awareness about recycling. However, authorities can take several initiatives to address this issue.

The primary reason why residents do not recycle their rubbish as much as they should is that they do not have a clear understanding of which products can be reused or recycled. Many people simply throw different types of waste into the same bin because they are unaware of the importance of separating recyclable materials. As a result, a large amount of plastic, glass and paper ends up in landfills instead of being processed for further use. For example, if individuals are properly informed about which household items can be recycled, they may be more likely to separate these materials from general waste.

To combat this issue, governments can take several effective measures. One prominent approach is to launch public awareness campaigns through official websites, television and social media platforms. This information would be easy to access and could explain the environmental benefits of recycling as well as the correct methods of separating waste. For instance, government organisations could post videos on social media showing residents how to separate plastic bottles, paper and glass from other household rubbish. Furthermore, authorities should provide clearly labelled recycling bins in residential areas so that people can recycle their waste conveniently.

In conclusion, people often fail to recycle their rubbish because they lack sufficient knowledge and awareness about the importance and methods of recycling. However, this problem can be addressed by educating the public through awareness campaigns and providing convenient recycling facilities in local communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified two distinct reasons for the lack of recycling—a lack of knowledge and a lack of clear guidance—and proposed two logical solutions: public awareness campaigns and improved infrastructure. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the use of social media for education and the provision of labelled bins. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your ideas by discussing the role of government policy or financial incentives, which would add more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence that guides the reader. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'As a result', 'For instance', and 'Furthermore', which help to link your ideas smoothly. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the problem to the solution. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the task. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'contemporary era', 'prominent approach', and 'environmental benefits' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions. For example, instead of 'take several initiatives', you might use 'implement comprehensive strategies'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and there are no instances where word choice causes confusion or impedes communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'if individuals are properly informed... they may be more likely to separate these materials'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. There is a good variety of verb tenses and modal verbs used to express possibilities. While the grammar is solid, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Incorporating more varied subordinate clauses or passive constructions could further enhance the grammatical sophistication of your writing.

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