Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-07-28

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 8.0)

Due to the concern for the environment, an increasing number of people are choosing to recycle, whereas I would argue that solely depending on recycling cannot fundamentally change the current situation, and that we need to reduce consumption at the same time.

First and foremost, it is worth acknowledging the significance of recycling. Not only can this approach make the most of a variety of resources but also can reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment. For instance, many marine animals are on the verge of extinction because of eating plastic waste released by factories. If households and factories separated recyclable waste from other waste first, this phenomenon would not happene in the first place. On the contrary, the resources saved by recycling can even be used for supporting animal conservation.

Besides recycling, reducing consumption is the key for preserving the natural environment and wildlife. To illustrate this, if we can reduce unnecessary waste on water and other natural resources, manufacturers will accordingly reduce the number of activities that damage forests, cutting fewer trees, which can absorb greenhouse gases and generate oxygen. In addition, a decreased level of deforestation can preserve more natural habitats for wild animals. The number of tigers in the north part of China, for example, has been increasing since the government started encouraging the general public to use less and implementing strict policies on factories. As a result, humanity will be less likely to face resource depletion and our future generations may still be able to appreciate other species.

In conclusion, in order to protect the environment, governments ought to promote the idea of recycling and encourage citizens to use less because this holistic approach might be able to fundamentally improve animal welfare and save more environmental resources, which is alighed with the concept of sustainability.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the importance of recycling and the necessity of reducing consumption. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the link between consumption and deforestation. To reach a higher band, ensure that your supporting examples are more globally applicable or clearly explained; for instance, the specific reference to tigers in northern China is a good attempt at support, but ensure the link between individual consumption and that specific regional outcome is explicitly clear to avoid potential over-generalisation. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a consistent viewpoint.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you use cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'On the contrary', and 'In addition' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main arguments. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. For example, the connection between the recycling paragraph and the consumption paragraph could be tightened to better show the transition from one perspective to the other. Overall, the structure is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'fundamentally change', 'on the verge of extinction', and 'resource depletion' are used accurately. There is an attempt to use less common items, which adds to the academic tone. However, there are minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'waste on water' (which should be 'waste of water') and 'alighed' (a spelling error). Despite these minor slips, the vocabulary is varied enough to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'If households... separated... this phenomenon would not happen'. While the majority of your sentences are error-free, there are a few slips, such as 'happene' (spelling) and the minor tense/agreement issue in 'this phenomenon would not happene'. These errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. You show good control over complex structures, which indicates a solid grasp of grammar. To improve, focus on proofreading for small mechanical errors and ensuring consistent verb forms in conditional sentences.

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