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 proper knowledge and 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 used again or turned into something useful. Many individuals are unaware of the different ways in which household waste can be reused, so they simply throw it into the bin. As a result, recyclable items are often mixed with other waste and eventually sent to landfills. For example, if people are aware that certain household products can be reused to make something meaningful, they may be less likely to dispose of them. Therefore, a lack of knowledge is a major reason why people do not recycle properly.

To combat this issue, there are several measures that can be taken by governments. The prominent one is that awareness campaigns can be launched through official websites and social media platforms. It is easy for people to access information from the internet, particularly when it is posted on an official government website or social media account. Moreover, citizens may trust this information because it comes directly from the authorities. For instance, volunteers can use social media to show residents how empty large containers can be reused for growing plants instead of being thrown away. Such campaigns can encourage people to adopt recycling and reusing habits in their daily lives.

In conclusion, people often fail to recycle their rubbish because of a lack of knowledge and awareness. However, this problem can be addressed by raising public awareness through government-led campaigns and providing people with practical information about recycling.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified a lack of knowledge as the primary reason for low recycling rates and proposed government-led awareness campaigns as a solution. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. To reach a higher band, you could expand on the 'why' by briefly mentioning other factors, such as the inconvenience of sorting waste or lack of infrastructure, to provide a more comprehensive answer. The position is consistent throughout, and the conclusion effectively summarises the main points. The development is sufficient, though some points could be elaborated with more specific real-world examples beyond the general mention of social media.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, such as 'The primary reason why residents do not recycle...' and 'To combat this issue, there are several measures...'. Cohesive devices like 'Moreover', 'For instance', and 'As a result' are used effectively to link ideas. The progression of information is logical and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main parts of the prompt. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases such as 'contemporary era', 'address this issue', and 'adopt recycling and reusing habits' demonstrate a good command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations. For example, instead of 'meaningful', you might use 'practical' or 'functional'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and the word choice is consistently natural and fits the context of the essay well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'if people are aware... they may be less likely to dispose of them'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The sentences are clear and easy to read. To improve further, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence forms, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, to add more sophistication to your writing. Overall, the grammar is strong and does not impede communication.

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