Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-11-11
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Concern for the environment is growing and more and more people are choosing to recycle. But some people suggest that recycling is not enough. They believe we need to consume less.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Nowadays, a lot of people are choosing to recycle as environment is developing day by day. However some citizens believe recycling alone isn't enough, that we need to decrease consuming.
First of all, recycling has a considerable amount of benefits for our environment. Compared to past, I believe, people are more aware of detrimental effects of pollution that people cause, and they have started to recycle more and more things. For instance, there are some re-usable grocery bag, which is made of clothes and you can wash and use again and again. This can sound like just a tiny example. However, compared to re-usable bags, plastic bags are more likely to be thrown away immediately, since it is used only for once.
There is also some companies, for example Coca-Cola, who recycles the bottles after consuming and produces it again. This is another good example of stages of protecting our environment if people used recycling bin, instead of the regular one.
Then, there are some individuals who think that recycling itself isn't adequate in order to enhence our environment. At this point, this can be true. People consume one-time-use items so much. For instance, when they go to trips, because of being easier to carry, they tend to purchase one-time-use plates and spoons. Furthermore, people prone to purchase bunch of snacks and stuff. These items can be a huge part of pollution and overconsuming. They could have prepare food at home, and just take regular plates and spoons, and this won't be a problem of overconsuming.
In conclusion, both recycling and less consuming are destination for good environment, but this is people's personal preference whether they want it or not
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You discuss both recycling and reducing consumption, and your examples—reusable bags, bottle recycling, and disposable plates—are relevant to the question. However, the two views are not developed equally: the recycling section explains practical benefits, while the case for consuming less is stated mainly through examples rather than a clear explanation of its broader impact. Your own position is also difficult to identify. The conclusion says both approaches are beneficial but then calls the choice a matter of “people’s personal preference,” without clearly stating which view you support or how the approaches should relate. Make your opinion explicit in the introduction and conclusion, and explain more fully why each example supports your argument.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “First of all,” “Then,” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the discussion. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “This can sound like just a tiny example” does not smoothly explain the significance of reusable bags, and the transition from the Coca-Cola example to using recycling bins is abrupt. References such as “it” in the plastic-bag sentence and “These items” after mentioning snacks and disposable tableware can also leave the reader unsure what is being referred to. Use more precise links between claims and examples, and organise each paragraph around a clearly developed point.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use enough topic vocabulary to discuss the subject, including “detrimental effects,” “pollution,” “re-usable,” and “one-time-use.” These choices show an attempt to use language beyond basic terms. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision: “environment is developing,” “decrease consuming,” “enhence our environment,” and “destination for good environment” do not express the intended ideas naturally. There are also awkward phrases such as “purchase bunch of snacks and stuff.” Aim for accurate environmental collocations and more formal wording, such as “reduce consumption,” “improve environmental conditions,” and “a sustainable future.” Check spelling and word forms, including “enhance,” and avoid vague terms such as “stuff.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “However,” “since,” and “because,” and the main ideas are generally understandable. Some grammatical errors nevertheless recur. Examples include “as environment is developing” (missing an article and an unsuitable verb form), “there are some re-usable grocery bag” (number agreement), and “There is also some companies” (subject–verb agreement). In “they could have prepare food,” the verb form is incorrect, while “it is used only for once” has an unnecessary construction. Some long sentences also make relationships between ideas harder to follow. Review articles, singular and plural agreement, and verb forms, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and correctly formed verb.
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