Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-05

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)

Globally, people lack the social responsibility to recycle their waste as they ought to. I believe a lack of policies and public awareness are major contributing factors, and governments must take action to resolve this issue.

Several root causes contribute to the low rates of recycling. Firstly, the public is unaware of the processes of recycling and upcycling, treating all types of waste in the same manner. This inability to distinguish biodegradable and recyclable goods from environmentally harmful products is critical. Moreover, general indifference toward environmental health exacerbates the problem, as people often show little interest in conserving resources or protecting their homeland. Furthermore, many companies do not manufacture recyclable products, or they fail to display clear recycling logos and instructions on their packaging. Lastly, governments lack strict regulations on waste management, missing the laws and policies needed to reinforce positive habits among citizens.

Solutions to these environmental problems rest in the hands of legislative and governing bodies. Governments must encourage the public to recycle responsibly. One effective approach is installing color-coded sorting bins nationwide, labeled with clear instructions for different waste types to build public awareness. Additionally, dedicated teams should be assigned specifically to collect recyclable materials. Governing bodies should also impose heavy fines on citizens who dispose of recyclable packaging in general waste. On a social level, awareness campaigns and seminars should be conducted regularly, while schools and universities host exhibitions and symposiums to educate students on the importance of waste management.

In conclusion, I believe that through the combined efforts of the public, governments, social platforms, and NGOs, effective waste management is entirely achievable and will leave a lasting positive impact on our environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: reasons for low recycling rates and potential solutions. The position is clear from the introduction and maintained throughout. Ideas are well-developed, such as the distinction between public indifference and corporate responsibility. The solutions provided, including color-coded bins and legislative fines, are relevant and logically linked to the identified problems. The essay is well-structured, and the arguments are extended with sufficient detail to meet the requirements of a Band 7 or 8. It covers all parts of the task well, providing a balanced and comprehensive discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes and solutions is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for causes and solutions, and a summary conclusion. The flow of ideas is natural, and the referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the argument without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and precise for the task. The student uses topic-specific terminology such as 'biodegradable', 'upcycling', 'waste management', and 'symposiums' appropriately. There is a good range of vocabulary that allows for flexibility and precision. While the language is accurate and fits the academic context well, it occasionally lacks the highly sophisticated or idiomatic flair that would push it into the Band 8 or 9 range. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as 'This inability to distinguish... is critical' and 'through the combined efforts of... effective waste management is entirely achievable'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no major grammatical errors that distract the reader. The use of modal verbs ('must', 'should') is appropriate for the task of proposing solutions. The writing is consistently accurate, demonstrating a high level of control over sentence construction.

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