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 separated 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 to preserve 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 comprehensive 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 universally applicable; for instance, the specific reference to 'tigers in the north of China' is a good illustrative point, but ensure that your supporting arguments remain focused on the broader global context of environmental sustainability to avoid over-generalisation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'On the contrary', and 'In addition' to link your points effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the two main viewpoints is smooth. The referencing is generally clear, though occasionally the connection between the recycling argument and the specific example of marine animals could be tightened to ensure the logical flow is seamless throughout the entire paragraph.

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 effectively. There is an awareness of style, and you avoid repetitive language. While the vocabulary is adequate and precise, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions related to environmental policy or sustainability would help elevate the response to a higher band. Overall, the lexical control is strong and communication is never impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

You use a good mix of simple and complex sentence 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 generally good. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'the key to preserve' which should be 'the key to preserving'. However, these errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the clarity of your message. Your ability to construct complex arguments shows a solid grasp of English grammar.

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