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 separate recyclable waste from other waste first, this phenomenon will not be duplicated in the future. On the contrary, the resources saved by recycling can even be used for supporting animal conservation.

Besides recycling, reducing consumption is the key to 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 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. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the link between reduced consumption and habitat preservation. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific, real-world examples rather than general statements. For instance, instead of mentioning 'tigers in the north of China', you could discuss a specific policy or a global initiative to strengthen your argument. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First and foremost', 'On the contrary', and 'In addition', which help guide the reader through your arguments. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The flow between the two main viewpoints is natural, and the transition to your own opinion is well-integrated into the structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'fundamentally', 'extinction', 'depletion', and 'sustainability' appropriately. The language is generally precise and fits the academic context well. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to show greater flexibility. For example, instead of 'make the most of', you could use 'maximize the utility of'. Overall, your lexical control is strong and supports your arguments effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If households... this phenomenon will not be duplicated') and relative clauses effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, with only minor slips that do not affect meaning. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and ideas. To move to a higher band, ensure that you vary your sentence length even more and aim for absolute precision in complex structures. The current level of accuracy is high, and the majority of your sentences are error-free.

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