Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-08

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)

Recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental damage, yet many people still fail to recycle as much of their household waste as they could. This is mainly because recycling can be inconvenient and people may lack awareness of how to do it properly. However, governments can encourage greater participation by making the process easier and providing incentives.

One major reason for low recycling rates is that people increasingly lead busy lifestyles and tend to choose the most convenient option. In some areas, recycling facilities are either unavailable or located far from residential neighborhoods. Separating different types of waste can also require additional time and effort. As a result, people may simply put recyclable items in general rubbish bins. For example, someone returning home late from work may throw a plastic bottle into the nearest bin rather than sorting it for recycling. A lack of public awareness can further reinforce this habit.

Governments can address this problem by making recycling more accessible and rewarding. Clearly labelled bins for paper, plastic, glass and metal could be provided in residential areas and collected regularly. Governments could also introduce incentives, such as deposit-refund schemes for plastic bottles, to encourage people to recycle. In addition, awareness campaigns through schools, television and social media could teach people how to separate waste correctly and explain its environmental benefits. Stricter regulations on unnecessary plastic packaging could also encourage businesses and consumers to rely on reusable or recyclable alternatives.

In conclusion, busy lifestyles, limited access to recycling facilities and insufficient awareness are major reasons why people do not recycle enough. Governments can increase participation by improving recycling facilities, educating the public and providing incentives to develop regular recycling habits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed both parts of the prompt. Your response clearly identifies two primary reasons for low recycling rates—inconvenience and lack of awareness—and provides a comprehensive set of solutions, including infrastructure improvements, financial incentives, and public education. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of deposit-refund schemes and the impact of busy lifestyles. Your position is clear throughout the essay, and the structure is logical, moving smoothly from the problem to the proposed solutions. The response is balanced and directly answers the question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the problem and the solution is seamless. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As a result,' 'In addition,' and 'In conclusion,' which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each section focusing on a distinct aspect of the task. The referencing is clear, and the flow of ideas is natural, making the text easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You display a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases such as 'environmental damage,' 'residential neighborhoods,' 'deposit-refund schemes,' and 'stricter regulations' demonstrate a level of precision and flexibility. The word choice is consistently accurate and contributes to the formal tone required for an IELTS essay. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high score. There are no spelling errors, and collocations are used correctly throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing shows a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if...') and participial phrases, with very few errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The grammar is consistently accurate, and the structures used are varied enough to demonstrate a strong command of the language. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the overall flow is professional and polished.

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