Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-10-06

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 5.0)

In many countries, people do not want to recycle their rubbish as much as they could. The main reason is that many people dispose of their trash carelessly. For instance, in Japan, they have very strict rules for disposing of trash, and this country specifies all types of trash, how to dispose of it, which bin needs to be used for the waste, and they also specify the plastic bags for the waste. It is very easy for people who work in the sanitation system to recycle the rubbish which could use furthur. Additionally, Many countries are very rich in the use of recycling, and this is a very large business in the world.

The main decline is in countries that do not have a proper system and guidelines against waste products for their local people. For example, India and Pakistan: these two countries have a lot of trash issues. In our homes, domestic trash mixes with factory or other waste. However, it is very challenging for those who work in this system. Furthermore, many domestic workers dispose of the rubbish with household waste. The reason is the many recylce product can not use becuae of the they put them together.

In conclusion, the sanitation system should provide the basic ethics and guide them properly on which plastic bag to use for domestic use, and broken glass or wet waste products. Additionally, it will be very easy for those who work in this department. Lastly, hospital waste should be separated from the others because it has used injections and can cause differnt injections and diseases. So, for those who work in this department, be careful.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt only partially, fulfilling the requirement for a general task of this type by briefly discussing both why people do not recycle and what can be done. However, the position is not always clear, and the ideas presented are limited and under-developed. For instance, the paragraph attempting to explain the reasons focuses heavily on contrasting Japan with general assertions about rich countries, but the connection remains vague. Similarly, the discussion on solutions in the conclusion introduces new ideas rather than logically extending previous points, such as mentioning hospital waste and injections, which distracts from the main topic of domestic recycling. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to present fully developed main ideas with relevant examples that directly answer both parts of the prompt in a structured manner.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response demonstrates some overall organisation, but there is a lack of clear progression throughout the text. Paragraphing is attempted, with distinct sections for the introduction of reasons, a contrasting example, and the conclusion, yet the internal flow within paragraphs is frequently disrupted. Cohesive devices are used inadequately or inaccurately, seen in repetitive transitions and mechanical referencing, such as starting multiple sentences with 'Additionally' or vague pronouns like 'this' without a clear antecedent. For example, the sentence 'The main decline is in countries...' abruptly shifts topics without adequate transitional scaffolding. To improve, the writer must ensure that ideas follow a logical sequence and that cohesive devices are employed naturally to connect sentences and paragraphs smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for the task. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'sanitation system', 'carelessly', and 'domestic trash', but these attempts are accompanied by noticeable errors in word choice, collocation, and spelling. For instance, terms like 'furthur' (further), 'recylce product' (recyclable products), 'becuae' (because), and 'differnt' (different) demonstrate persistent spelling issues. Furthermore, phrases like 'the many recylce product can not use' show awkward word formation and lexical inadequacy. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to expand their lexical repertoire, ensure correct word forms, and demonstrate greater precision in spelling and collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response exhibits a limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences alongside a few attempts at complex ones that are frequently faulty. There are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and article usage that can cause difficulty for the reader. For example, subject-verb agreement and article placement are problematic in sentences like 'the waste, and they also specify the plastic bags' and 'many country are very rich'. Additionally, prepositions and sentence boundaries are mishandled, as seen in 'dispose of the rubbish with household waste' and fragmented thoughts. To progress to the next level, the writer must incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures with increased control, significantly reducing the frequency of basic errors.

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

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