Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-01

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 7.5)

In many countries, recycling rates remain considerably lower than they could be, despite growing awareness of environmental problems. This is mainly because people often lack convenient recycling facilities and have little motivation to separate their household waste. However, governments and local authorities can address these issues through better infrastructure, education and financial incentives.

One major reason for low recycling rates is the lack of convenient facilities. In some areas, households are not provided with separate bins for different types of waste, meaning that recyclable materials are simply thrown away with general rubbish. Furthermore, many people are unsure about which items can be recycled, particularly when packaging consists of several different materials. Another contributing factor is a lack of personal motivation. Recycling requires people to spend additional time sorting their rubbish, while they may feel that their individual efforts have little impact on the environment.

Several measures could be taken to tackle these problems. First, governments should make recycling easier by providing separate collection bins for paper, plastic, glass and other recyclable materials in residential areas. Clear labels and simple instructions could also help people identify which products should be recycled. Second, governments could introduce financial incentives, such as reducing waste-collection fees for households that recycle regularly, while imposing higher charges on those that produce excessive amounts of non-recyclable waste. Schools and public campaigns should also educate people about the long-term environmental consequences of excessive waste.

In conclusion, people tend to recycle less than they could because recycling is not always convenient and individuals may lack sufficient motivation or knowledge. Providing accessible recycling facilities, improving public education and introducing appropriate financial incentives could encourage significantly more people to recycle their household waste.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

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 is maintained throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed ideas, such as the lack of infrastructure and the need for financial incentives. The arguments are extended with logical explanations, such as the link between convenience and individual motivation. The response is balanced and directly answers the question, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the problem and the solution is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Another contributing factor', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'recycling rates', 'infrastructure', 'financial incentives', and 'non-recyclable waste' with accuracy. The language is natural and demonstrates a good grasp of collocation. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the context well, it stays within a standard range of academic English. To reach the highest band, the student could incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, but the current range is more than sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'while they may feel that their individual efforts have little impact'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and tense is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, with a variety of sentence forms used to convey complex ideas effectively. The control over grammar is consistent throughout the entire response.

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