Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-11

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)

Recycling has become increasingly important in the protecting the environment, yet many people still fail to recycle as much of their waste as they should. This essay will discuss the main reasons behind this issue and suggest several effective measures to encourage higher recycling rates.

One of the primary reasons for low recycling rates is the lack of public awareness. Many people do not fully understand the environmental consequences of improper waste disposal or the benefits of recycling. As a result, they simply throw all types of rubbish into the same bin. Another major reason is absence of convenient recycling facilities. In many cities and rural areas, recycling bins and collection services are either limited or unavailable, making recycling time-consuming, Furthermore, some people believe that individual efforts make little difference, reducing their motivation to recycle regularly.

To address the problem, governments should invest in better recycling infrastructure. Providing separate bins for the paper, plastic, glass, and organic waste in residential areas, school, and public place would make recycling much easier. In addition, educational campaigns through schools, television, and social media can increase public awareness about the importance of recycling and teach people how to sort waste correctly. Government could also introduce financial support, such as deposit-return schemes for plastic bottles and cans, or impose fines on households that fail to separate recyclable waste. These measures have already proven successful in several countries.

In conclusion, insufficient awareness, inadequate recycling facilities, and lack of motivation are the main reasons why people do not recycle enough. By improving infrastructure, educating the public, and introducing rewards and penalties, government can significantly increase recycling rates and help to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified two main reasons (lack of awareness and lack of infrastructure) and provided logical solutions for each. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as deposit-return schemes. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by briefly explaining the psychological aspect of why people feel their individual efforts make little difference, or by providing a more specific real-world example of a country that has successfully implemented these measures. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'As a result', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the reasons from the solutions. The flow is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. To improve, ensure that the transition between the problem of 'individual motivation' and the proposed 'financial support' is even more tightly integrated.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Terms such as 'environmental consequences', 'improper waste disposal', and 'deposit-return schemes' are used accurately. There is an awareness of collocation, and the language is generally natural. While the vocabulary is effective, it is mostly standard. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'mitigate', 'incentivize', or 'systemic barriers', to show greater flexibility and precision in your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as 'in the protecting the environment' (should be 'in protecting') and 'in residential areas, school, and public place' (should be pluralized as 'schools' and 'public places'). Despite these occasional errors, they do not impede communication. To improve, ensure consistent subject-verb agreement and pluralization when listing items in a series.

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