Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

In many countries, people do not recycle their rubbish as much as they could. This essay will discuss the reasons behind this problem and suggest several effective measures to encourage recycling.

One of the main reasons for low recycling rates is a lack of public awareness. Many people do not fully understand the environmental benefits of recycling or the harmful effects of waste on the planet. As a result, they often throw recyclable materials into general rubbish bins without considering the consequences. Another significant reason is the lack of convenient recycling facilities. In some areas, recycling bins are not easily accessible, and people have to travel long distances to dispose of recyclable waste. This discourages many individuals from making the extra effort. Furthermore, some people believe that recycling is time-consuming and inconvenient, especially when they are required to separate different types of waste.

To improve recycling rates, governments and local authorities should take several practical steps. Firstly, they should invest in better recycling infrastructure by providing clearly labelled recycling bins in public places and residential areas. This would make recycling much more convenient. Secondly, public awareness campaigns through television, social media, and schools can educate people about the importance of recycling and encourage environmentally responsible behaviour from an early age. Finally, governments could introduce laws that reward people who recycle regularly or impose fines on those who fail to separate recyclable waste. Such measures have proved successful in several countries where recycling rates have increased significantly.

In conclusion, insufficient awareness, limited recycling facilities, and inconvenience are the primary reasons why many people do not recycle enough. However, by improving infrastructure, educating the public, and introducing effective government policies, recycling rates can be increased, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for low recycling rates and potential solutions. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, such as the mention of 'lack of public awareness' and 'inconvenient recycling facilities'. Each point is supported with clear explanations, and the solutions provided—infrastructure investment, education, and legislation—directly correspond to the problems identified. The position is clear throughout, and the essay maintains a consistent focus on the topic. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or data to further substantiate the arguments, but the current level of development is sufficient for a strong score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'One of the main reasons', 'Another significant reason', 'Furthermore', and 'Firstly' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the problems from the solutions. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The essay is easy to follow, and the use of linking words is neither mechanical nor repetitive, demonstrating a good command of cohesive structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for an academic essay. The student uses a sufficient range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'recyclable materials', 'infrastructure', 'environmentally responsible behaviour', and 'sustainable'. The word choice is precise, and there are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. While the range is adequate for the task, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items could elevate the score further. However, the current usage is natural and effectively conveys the intended meaning without any ambiguity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('if they are required to...') and relative clauses ('where recycling rates have increased...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is controlled throughout. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The student shows a solid grasp of tense usage and subject-verb agreement. The writing is clear and professional, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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