Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-14

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 5.5)

In today’s evolving world, the issue of reusing the waste in a recycled form has sparked a considerable debate, with opinions divided on whether it is important or not. Among this, I am strongly inclined to agree with the view that it is beneficial to recycle the rubbbish as much as it could be done.

To begin with, one of the primary reasons why I support this view is that it will reduce the chances of soil pollution, especially in the countries where people are illiterate and throw the garbage on the sides of the roads. A clear illustration of this can be seen in India where pollution has peaked and expenses are on the top of the sky. I believe that when a thing or product can be used twice, why to throw it by using once. This will automatically save the money being wasted unnecessarily.

The process of recycling should be taught in educational institutions which will further enhance the skills and IQ level of the students. Equally important is the fact that it will keep them busy and away from getting involved in trivial matters. Overtime such measures contribute to development and progress.

In conclusion, although it is understandable that some may take a different view because of insufficient knowledge, nevertheless I firmly believe that recycling the waste should be a norm followed by every citizen. The reasons discussed, supported by both logic and evidence, make this opinion both reasonable and convincing. Given its potential benefits and measureable impact, this opinion remains the more persuasive one.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response attempts to address both parts of the prompt regarding why people do not recycle enough and what can be done to change this. However, the interpretation of the prompt leans heavily into a personal agreement format rather than directly exploring systemic reasons on a societal level. The ideas presented, such as reducing soil pollution and introducing recycling in educational institutions, are relevant but remain somewhat under-developed and general. For instance, the reference to India as an illustration is quite brief and lacks detailed elaboration. The position is stated, but the overall development of ideas aligns best with a Band 6 descriptor where some parts are addressed more fully than others and some points remain slightly limited.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement with clear structural signposts such as 'To begin with,' 'Equally important,' and 'In conclusion.' However, paragraphing is somewhat problematic; the second paragraph is excessively long and crams multiple distinct ideas together, including reasons for recycling, a specific country example, and a rhetorical question. Paragraphing is not fully managed to separate the two distinct prompt tasks effectively. Additionally, referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as in the phrase 'Among this, I am strongly inclined...' where cohesion is slightly awkward. These issues place the response firmly in the Band 6 category for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases like 'evolving world,' 'considerable debate,' and 'educational institutions.' However, there are noticeable spelling errors, such as 'rubbbish,' and awkward collocations like 'expenses are on the top of the sky' and 'measureable impact' (misspelled). Phrasing like 'why to throw it by using once' also shows limitations in natural lexical control. While communication is not severely impeded, these vocabulary errors and stylistic slips prevent the response from achieving a higher band, making Band 6 an accurate reflection of lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over clause subordination through structures like 'when a thing or product can be used twice' and 'although it is understandable that some may take a different view.' Nevertheless, a number of grammatical errors and awkward phrasings persist throughout the text, including fragment-like questions ('why to throw it by using once') and slight awkwardness in preposition usage. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but grammatical inaccuracies occur with enough frequency to typify the Band 6 descriptor, where sentences contain errors that do not impede overall communication.

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

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