Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-05

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 7.0)

In many countries, people do not recycle their waste as much as they could. Although some people believe that this is mainly due to cultural differences, I think that the most important reasons are related to economic limitations and a lack of environmental awareness. Governments and education systems therefore have an essential role in encouraging recycling.

The first reason is that many governments do not have sufficient financial resources or an efficient waste management system. As a result, recycling facilities are limited, and people often have no practical way to separate and recycle their rubbish. In some cases, citizens also lose confidence in the recycling process because they believe that the waste they separate is not actually recycled. Furthermore, countries with abundant natural resources may find it cheaper to produce new materials than to recycle old ones.

Another important factor is education. In some countries, environmental issues such as climate change, pollution and recycling are not given enough attention in schools. Consequently, many people grow up without fully understanding the environmental and economic benefits of recycling. Older generations, in particular, may have been raised at a time when waste was simply considered something to throw away rather than a valuable resource.

To improve this situation, governments should invest more in recycling infrastructure and make waste collection services more efficient. At the same time, schools should include more environmental education in their programmes so that young people develop sustainable habits from an early age. Public information campaigns could also encourage adults to recycle more regularly and explain why their contribution is important.

In conclusion, I believe that the low recycling rates observed in many countries are mainly caused by economic and educational factors rather than by culture alone. By improving public services and increasing environmental awareness, governments can encourage more people to recycle and help protect the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for low recycling rates and potential solutions. The position is clear from the introduction and maintained throughout. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the discussion on economic limitations and the role of education. The arguments are supported with logical explanations, such as the link between lack of infrastructure and public distrust. The response is balanced, providing a comprehensive overview of the issue without over-generalising. It meets all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the reasons and the solutions is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'As a result', 'Furthermore', and 'At the same time' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is logical and appropriate for an academic essay. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'waste management system', 'infrastructure', 'sustainable habits', and 'public information campaigns'. The word choice is accurate, and there is a good level of flexibility in expressing complex ideas. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated, it is highly effective and demonstrates a strong command of the language required for this task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although some people believe that...', '...so that young people develop...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control of punctuation is excellent. The writer uses a variety of verb tenses and modal verbs appropriately to discuss hypothetical situations and recommendations. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high throughout the response.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.