Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-05

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 5.5)

In recent years, there is gradual increase in individuals who practice recycling waste to build a sustainable environment. However, many argue that recycling is not an efficient way and believe monitoring and reducing what we consume is the best option. In my view, finding effective ways of recycling rather than altering our way of living is the better alternative.

On the one hand, people are moving towards recycling waste for the betterment of the environment which is enabling them to work on a sustainable future. Furthermore, normalizing recycling toxic wastes can help companies in shifting their products to a much safer alternative that not only serves its purpose but helps in protecting the environment. For instance, companies producing juice boxes can start using paper straws which will not harm the environment and would be easier to recycle.

On the other hand, people argue recycling will not stay effective in the near future and there is a growing need to control harmful products which are being used in day to day life. This will result in less waste being produced and companies not using sustainable materials to receive public pressure and forced into changing their products. Additionally, shifting to a more confined way of living will help humans to have a healthy lifestyle. For example, if an individual confines themselves to using less products this will automatically shift them to a healthier lifestyle.

In conclusion, while cutting down and consuming less products will reduce toxic waste this will have to change many people's way of living which is a difficult task to achieve, recycling will provide a better alternative and will build a sustainable future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal position. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument for recycling is supported by the example of paper straws, but the explanation of why this is 'better' than reducing consumption remains underdeveloped. The discussion on reducing consumption is also quite general, lacking specific, concrete examples of how such a lifestyle change would manifest beyond the vague mention of 'confining' oneself. To reach a higher band, you should provide more detailed reasoning and specific real-world examples to support your claims, ensuring the link between your arguments and your final position is more robustly established.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, the progression of ideas within paragraphs is occasionally mechanical. For example, the transition between the idea of 'public pressure' and 'changing products' in the second body paragraph is slightly abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is a bit repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'this' to start sentences. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the message to be conveyed clearly. You use some relevant topic-specific terms like 'sustainable environment', 'toxic wastes', and 'confines'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'normalizing recycling toxic wastes' (which is slightly awkward) and 'confining themselves to using less products' (where 'limiting' or 'reducing' would be more natural). To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and precise academic vocabulary to express your ideas with greater nuance and variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical slips. For example, 'there is gradual increase' should be 'there is a gradual increase', and 'less products' should be 'fewer products' (as products are countable). There are also minor punctuation issues, such as the comma splice in the final paragraph. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, article usage, and the distinction between 'less' and 'fewer' will help improve your accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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