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 it can also 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 have been separating recyclable waste from other waste first, this phenomenon would not have happened 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 of 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 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 aligned 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. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the link between reduced consumption and habitat preservation. To reach a higher band, ensure that your examples are more universally applicable; for instance, the specific reference to 'tigers in the north of China' is a bit niche and could be broadened to global conservation efforts to strengthen the argument's general appeal. Overall, the task is fulfilled effectively with a clear, logical progression of ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'On the contrary', and 'In addition' effectively to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main viewpoints. The flow of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is generally clear. To improve, ensure that the transition between the two body paragraphs is slightly more seamless to enhance the overall cohesion of the argument.

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' show a good command of academic language. There is an awareness of style and collocation, and your word choices are generally accurate. While you avoid basic errors, incorporating more sophisticated, less common lexical items would elevate the response further. The vocabulary used is appropriate for the task and contributes to a clear and professional tone throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If households... would not have happened') and relative clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is solid. There is a minor tense issue in the second paragraph ('If households and factories have been separating...'), which should ideally be a past unreal conditional ('If households and factories had separated...'). However, these occasional slips do not impede communication. Your grammatical control is consistent and supports the clarity of your arguments well.

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