Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-07-29

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)

Nowadays, environmental problems such as pollution and climate change are becoming more serious. Many people believe that recycling is an effective way to protect the environment, while others argue that reducing consumption is a better solution. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.

On the one hand, recycling has many benefits. It helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and saves natural resources by reusing materials such as paper, plastic and glass. Recycling also requires less energy than producing new products from raw materials, which can reduce pollution. For example, many countries have introduced recycling bins in public places, encouraging people to separate their waste. As a result, large amounts of recyclable materials are reused instead of being thrown away.

On the other hand, some people believe that recycling alone cannot solve environmental problems. They argue that people should buy fewer unnecessary products and avoid wasting resources. Nowadays, many items are used only once before being discarded, which creates a large amount of waste. If people reduce their consumption by using reusable bags, repairing old items and avoiding excessive shopping, fewer products will need to be manufactured. This would reduce pollution, save energy and protect natural resources more effectively.

In my opinion, both recycling and reducing consumption are important. However, I believe that consuming less is the better long-term solution because it prevents waste from being created in the first place. Recycling is still necessary, but it should be combined with responsible buying habits to achieve the greatest environmental benefits.

In conclusion, recycling plays an important role in protecting the environment, but it is not enough by itself. People should also reduce unnecessary consumption so that less waste is produced and fewer natural resources are used.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You have clearly discussed both the importance of recycling and the argument for reducing consumption, while also providing a clear personal position in the third and fourth paragraphs. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning, such as the mention of landfills and the manufacturing process. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific, real-world examples beyond general statements to further strengthen your arguments. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reiterates your position. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is easy to follow throughout the text. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure is coherent and well-managed.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, such as 'natural resources', 'discarded', 'excessive shopping', and 'responsible buying habits'. The language is natural and precise, allowing for clear communication of your ideas. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a band 8 or 9 response. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary used is consistently relevant to the environmental theme.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If people reduce their consumption... fewer products will need to be manufactured') and passive voice ('waste sent to landfills') effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication or cause any confusion for the reader.

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