Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-29

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 remains far below its potential, despite growing awareness of the environmental damage caused by excessive waste. This is largely because recycling is often perceived as inconvenient and because people are not always provided with the facilities or incentives necessary to recycle consistently. Governments and communities can address this problem by making recycling easier, strengthening public education and introducing appropriate financial incentives.

One major reason for low recycling rates is that people frequently find it inconvenient to separate and dispose of their waste correctly. In some areas, households have to travel to designated collection points or deal with several different types of waste without being given clear instructions. As a result, even environmentally conscious individuals may simply put recyclable materials in general rubbish. Another contributing factor is a lack of awareness. People may understand that recycling is beneficial in general but have little knowledge of which materials can be recycled or what happens to them after collection. Where recycling facilities are inadequate, moreover, people may see little reason to change their habits.

Several measures could help overcome these difficulties. First, local authorities should provide easily accessible recycling bins and regular separate collections, particularly for paper, plastic, glass and metal. Clear labelling would also make it easier for households to distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable waste. Second, governments and schools should invest in sustained environmental education. Rather than relying solely on occasional campaigns, recycling could be incorporated into school curricula and reinforced through public information programmes. Finally, financial incentives can encourage greater participation. For example, governments could introduce deposit-refund schemes for bottles and cans or impose charges on excessive household waste while keeping recycling services free.

In conclusion, low recycling rates are caused principally by inconvenience, inadequate facilities and insufficient public understanding. Making recycling convenient, educating people about correct waste separation and providing appropriate financial incentives would significantly increase participation and, consequently, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly explaining why people do not recycle as much as they could and suggesting viable solutions. The introduction clearly outlines the position, and the body paragraphs logically explore causes such as inconvenience and lack of awareness, followed by constructive solutions including accessible infrastructure, education, and financial incentives. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations and examples, aligning well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with an effective introduction, moving through well-defined causes and solutions, and concluding succinctly. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Second', 'Finally', and 'Another contributing factor' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, reflecting a high level of coherence.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student uses a wide and appropriate range of vocabulary relevant to the topic of environmental issues and recycling. Less common items such as 'excessive waste', 'environmentally conscious individuals', 'designated collection points', and 'deposit-refund schemes' are used naturally and with a good awareness of collocation. Word choice is precise throughout, and spelling and word formation are entirely accurate, which fully justifies a Band 8 for lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of structures, incorporating both complex and compound sentences with a high degree of control. For instance, sentences like 'In some areas, households have to travel to designated collection points or deal with several different types of waste without being given clear instructions' showcase excellent grammatical dexterity. The majority of sentences are error-free, with only occasional minor slips or structural awkwardness, meeting the criteria for a strong Band 8.

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