Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-25

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 main reasons for this problem and suggest some effective solutions.

Nowadays, many people are not aware of the importance of recycling their waste. As a result, they may throw recyclable materials away instead of separating and recycling them. Another reason is that recycling can sometimes be difficult or inconvenient. For example, some areas do not have enough recycling facilities or separate bins. Therefore, people may simply put all their rubbish into general waste bins, which increases the amount of waste sent to landfills.

There are several ways to encourage people to recycle more. Firstly, governments should place more recycling bins in public places and residential areas. This would make recycling easier and more convenient for everyone. As a result, people would be more likely to separate their waste correctly. Secondly, governments should introduce strict laws and impose fines on people who litter or fail to follow waste-management rules. In addition, public awareness campaigns could educate citizens about the environmental benefits of recycling. Schools could also teach children about waste separation and recycling from an early age.

In conclusion, a lack of awareness and limited recycling facilities are major reasons why people do not recycle enough. Governments can solve this problem by providing more recycling facilities, educating the public and introducing suitable laws and fines. These measures could help create cleaner and more environmentally friendly communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both parts of the prompt: reasons for low recycling rates and potential solutions. The ideas are relevant and logically presented. However, the response is 244 words long, falling short of the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length negatively impacts the development of ideas, as the points remain somewhat superficial. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your examples—for instance, by explaining how specific government policies have succeeded in other countries or detailing the psychological barriers to recycling beyond simple 'inconvenience'. The position is clear throughout, but the lack of depth due to the word count prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As a result', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In addition', which help the reader follow your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. To improve, ensure that the transition between the problem and the solution is even smoother, perhaps by linking the specific solutions directly to the problems mentioned in the first body paragraph.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use topic-specific terms like 'recyclable materials', 'landfills', 'waste-management', and 'public awareness campaigns'. While the range is sufficient, it is somewhat limited and relies on fairly common expressions. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items. For example, instead of 'recycling can sometimes be difficult', you could use 'the recycling process is often perceived as cumbersome or logistically challenging'. The spelling is accurate throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'As a result, they may throw recyclable materials away instead of separating and recycling them.' The punctuation is generally correct, and there are very few grammatical errors. The sentences are clear and easy to follow. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences (e.g., 'Were governments to invest more in infrastructure, recycling rates would likely climb') or passive voice constructions to add variety and academic tone.

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