Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-04

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 relatively low despite the growing amount of waste produced everyday. This is mainly because people lack awareness about recycling and often find it inconvenient. However, governments and individuals can take several measures to improve the situation.

One major reason why people do not recycle enough is a lack of awareness. Some individuals do not understand the environmental consequences of throwing recyclable materials into general waste. For example, plastic bottles and packaging can take many years to decompose and may pollute rivers and oceans. Another important factor is inconvenience. If recycling bins are not easy available, people may simply put all their rubbish into one bin because it is quicker and easier. In addition, some people may believe that recycling has little impact because they do not see immediate results.

Several steps can be taken to address these problems. First, governments should introduce educational campaigns in schools, workplaces and through social media. These campaigns could explain how recycling protects the environment and demonstrate how different types of waste should be separated. Second, local authorities should provide clearly labelled recycling bins in residential areas and public places. Making recycling convenient would encourage more people to participate.

Furthermore, governments could introduce financial penalties. For instance, households that recycle regularly could receive small rewards, while business that produce excessive non recyclable waste could be required to pay high charges.

In conclusion, low recycling rates are mainly caused by a lack of awareness and convenient facilities. Better education, accessible recycling systems and appropriate financial penalties could significantly increase the amount of rubbish that is recycled.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified two main reasons for low recycling rates—lack of awareness and inconvenience—and provided logical, actionable solutions for each, such as educational campaigns and improved infrastructure. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of plastic decomposition and the use of financial incentives. The position is clear throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarises the main points. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your ideas by discussing the long-term societal benefits of these changes or addressing potential challenges to implementing these solutions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'In addition', 'First', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each new idea clearly separated. The referencing is generally clear, though occasionally the flow could be slightly more sophisticated by using more varied transition phrases between the problem and solution sections to enhance the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Terms such as 'environmental consequences', 'decompose', 'financial penalties', and 'excessive' are used accurately and appropriately. There is a good attempt to use less common vocabulary, which adds to the formal tone of the essay. While the vocabulary is effective, it is generally functional rather than highly sophisticated. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more idiomatic expressions or nuanced collocations that demonstrate a deeper command of the language, though your current usage is error-free and clear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'If recycling bins are not easy available, people may simply put all their rubbish into one bin because it is quicker and easier.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. There is a minor slip in 'not easy available' (should be 'not easily available'). However, these errors are rare and do not impede communication. Your control over punctuation and sentence variety is strong, providing a solid foundation for a high band score.

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