Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-11

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)

It is widely acknowledged that the environment is growing and more and more people are choosing to recycle. But some some people suggest that recycling is not enough. They believe we need to consume less. This topic have both negative and positive views and I would like to talk about them in this essay.

Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. It allows materials such as paper, grass, plastic to be reused. It also saves natural resources and reduces pollution. For example: recycling plastic can reduce the amount of plastic waste in cities.

Consuming less prevents waste from being created in the first places. It reduces manufacturing, packaging and transportation, which lowers pollution but can affect businesses and the economy if people buy products, companies may face lower sales and profits. It may reduce exployment lower demand can force businesses to produce less. It also can be difficult in modern area people still needs to buy essential items such as clothes, electronics and household products.

For example: If consumers stop buying new clothes frequently, clothing companies may reduce production and hire fewer workers

From what has been discussed above , it can be concluded as debatable topic and the arguments presented have led to divided opinions among experts and the general public

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address both recycling and consuming less, the discussion is superficial and lacks the depth required for a higher band. You mention that you would like to talk about your opinion in the introduction, but you fail to clearly state or develop your own position throughout the essay. The conclusion is also weak, merely stating that the topic is debatable rather than summarizing your stance. To improve, ensure you fully explore each viewpoint with specific examples and provide a clear, consistent personal opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and sometimes mechanical. For instance, the transition between the discussion of consuming less and the potential economic impact is abrupt. There is a lack of logical progression between sentences, making the flow feel disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'on the other hand') to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. You rely on basic terms such as 'good', 'bad', and 'buy', and there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'modern area' (likely meaning 'modern era') and 'exployment' (a spelling error for 'employment'). To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to environmental issues and economics, and ensure you check your spelling carefully. Using more precise collocations will help you convey your arguments more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'This topic have both negative and positive views' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'people still needs to buy' (subject-verb agreement). There are also punctuation issues, such as the space before the comma in 'discussed above ,'. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and proofreading for minor slips. Increasing your use of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences or relative clauses, will also help improve your score.

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

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