Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-11-05

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 6.5)

As countries develop and more modern forms of waste management are being discovered, many nations still do not recycle their rubbish as much as they could. I believe the primary reason for this is a lack of awareness and knowledge.

First and foremost, people of many developing countries are still not aware of the benefits of recycling items and the crucial disadvantages of a lack of waste management. For example, in under-developed countries like Bangladesh waste management has not been implemented properly leading to an increase in the build-up of trash in landfill sites. Additionally, people do not know the methods by which they can recycle their rubbish such as the three Rs; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. A lack of knowledge prevents people from properly managing their waste. For instance, under-educated people are not aware of the different type of wastes and dispose all waste together.

The best way to resolve this issue is by raising awareness. Governments could install waste bins for all three types of waste; solid, liquid and hazardous. This will allow locals to understand that waste can be classified into three categories and should be treated differently. People can also be taught different methods of recycling waste such as reusing fruit peels and using them as fertiliser for plants. Moreover, governments can ban the use of plastic bags for grocery shopping to increase the use of paper bags as they are more bio-degradeable compared to plastic waste.

In conclusion, I believe the main reason people do not recycle their rubbish as much as they could is because of a lack of knowledge and more awareness towards this topic can help to change this mindset.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both parts of the question and maintain a clear view that limited awareness is the main cause, with education and government action as solutions. The examples about Bangladesh, sorting waste, reusing fruit peels and restricting plastic bags make the response relevant. However, the explanation focuses mainly on knowledge and does not explore other possible barriers, such as inconvenient collection systems or lack of incentives. Some proposals also need clearer development: the three-bin scheme is described as separating “solid, liquid and hazardous” waste, but this does not explain how those categories support household recycling. The response therefore covers the task, but some ideas are less fully explained than others. To strengthen it, clarify the link between each proposed measure and increased recycling, and extend the reasons with specific detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph explaining causes, a paragraph proposing solutions, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “First and foremost,” “Additionally,” and “Moreover” help signal the development of ideas. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with several points added through similar linking words rather than connected through explanation. The relationship between the three waste categories and recycling is not fully clear, and the conclusion largely repeats the introduction instead of drawing the main points together. Some references, such as “this mindset,” could be more precise about the specific behaviour or belief being changed. Use fewer formulaic transitions and make the links between each claim, example and consequence more explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “waste management,” “landfill sites,” “classified,” “fertiliser” and “awareness.” These choices make the subject clear, and you attempt some less common expressions. At times, however, word choice or collocation is imprecise: “crucial disadvantages of a lack of waste management” is awkward, while “three types of waste” does not accurately describe the categories that follow. “Under-developed countries” is also less appropriate than a neutral term such as “developing countries,” and “bio-degradeable” is misspelled. These issues do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and naturalness. Aim for accurate environmental terminology and check spelling; for example, distinguish recyclable materials from hazardous waste and use established phrases such as “biodegradable materials.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including a subordinate clause in “As countries develop…” and a relative clause in “methods by which they can recycle.” Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly, and punctuation generally supports the organisation. Some grammatical errors remain. In “people of many developing countries,” the preposition is incorrect; “people in many developing countries” is needed. “The different type of wastes” has a number-agreement problem, and “dispose all waste together” needs an object marker (“dispose of all waste together”). The phrase “more awareness towards this topic” also uses an awkward preposition within the grammatical pattern. Review articles, plurals and verb-preposition combinations, while continuing to use varied sentence forms. Greater accuracy in these areas would make the response more controlled.

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