Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-31

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)

In contemporary society, recycling remains pivotal in reducing carbon footprint, yet its widespread adoption among residents in many countries lags traction as everything is send to the landfill. This essay aims to delve into the reason for the lack of implementation and how this can be alleviated.

Inconvenience stands as the top obstacle for low recycling rates. Living in this fast-paced society, time equates to money, the multi steps process of recycling is often perceived as cumbersome. Additionally, the simple act of recycling a bottle or newspaper necessitates a conscious effort to hold onto the item until they come across a bin or keep a separate bin at home. The challenge lies in adhering to recycling guidelines of sorting recyclable materials into designated bins for plastic, paper, and cans, which can be time-consuming and demanding, serving as a deterrent. Consequently, many opt for the convenience of disposing all waste into a single trash bin. Moreover, the inaccessibility of recycling bins due to scarcity or non-existence further impedes recycling initiatives in many nations.

The solution lies in addressing these barriers directly. A good start would be to make recycling process as easy as possible. This can be done by ensuring that on the streets, a corresponding recycling bin would be made available for every general trash bin. Furthermore, the issuance of free recycling bags with increased frequency of collection can improve participation in residential homes. This collectively tackles the issue of accessibility, ease and convenience.

In conclusion, achieving high recycling outcome requires a multifaceted approach, but it primarily hinges on overcoming the reluctance to adopt a sustainability mindset and the impediment of sorting waste, which prevents citizens from engaging in this beneficial practice.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: reasons for low recycling rates and potential solutions. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, the discussion on 'inconvenience' and the 'multi-step process' provides a clear explanation for the lack of participation. The solutions offered, such as increasing bin availability and providing free collection bags, are practical and directly linked to the identified problems. 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 evidence to support the arguments, such as mentioning a specific country or a successful recycling policy.

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, such as the obstacles to recycling or the proposed solutions. Cohesive devices like 'Additionally,' 'Consequently,' and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link ideas. However, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother to enhance the flow. The referencing is generally clear, though some sentences could be more tightly connected to improve the overall progression of ideas. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. The student uses terms like 'pivotal,' 'cumbersome,' 'deterrent,' and 'multifaceted' effectively. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'everything is send to the landfill' (should be 'sent') and 'recycling outcome' (should be 'outcomes'). While the range is adequate, the essay would benefit from a more varied use of collocations and less common lexical items to demonstrate a higher level of precision. The current vocabulary is functional and allows for clear communication of ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'everything is send' (passive voice error) and 'disposing all waste' (should be 'disposing of'). Additionally, 'the multi steps process' should be 'the multi-step process.' Despite these errors, the meaning is never obscured, and the punctuation is generally correct. The student shows an ability to use complex structures, but more consistent control over verb forms and prepositions would improve the score. The errors are non-systematic and do not impede the reader's understanding.

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

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