Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-15

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 7.5)

Environmental problems have become a major concern worldwide, and recycling is often considered an effective way to address them. While some people believe that increased recycling is sufficient, others argue that reducing consumption is more important. In my opinion, although recycling has significant benefits, reducing unnecessary consumption is a more effective long-term solution.

On the one hand, recycling can play an important role in protecting the environment. By reusing materials such as paper, glass, plastic and metal, less waste is sent to landfills, which helps reduce pollution. Recycling also decreases the need to extract raw materials from the environment. For example, recycling paper can reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down, while recycling metals can reduce the need for mining. Therefore, encouraging households and businesses to recycle can make a substantial contribution to environmental protection.

On the other hand, reducing consumption can tackle environmental problems at their source. The production of consumer goods requires large amounts of energy, water and natural resources and often generates considerable pollution. If people purchase fewer unnecessary products, fewer resources will be required for manufacturing and transportation. Moreover, many products cannot be recycled indefinitely, meaning that recycling alone cannot completely eliminate waste. Adopting habits such as buying durable products, repairing damaged items and avoiding excessive packaging can therefore be more sustainable.

In conclusion, recycling is undoubtedly an important method of reducing waste and conserving resources. However, I believe that consuming less is even more effective because it prevents unnecessary waste and resource use from occurring in the first place. Ideally, individuals should combine both approaches to achieve a more sustainable future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both the view that recycling is sufficient and the view that reducing consumption is necessary, while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed, particularly in the third paragraph where you explain the environmental impact of manufacturing and the limitations of recycling. The conclusion effectively synthesizes these points and provides a nuanced final opinion. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, providing relevant examples such as paper recycling and the extraction of raw materials to support your arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Moreover'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an argumentative essay. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the arguments is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'extract raw materials', 'indefinitely', and 'sustainable future' are used accurately. The lexical choices are precise and contribute to the clarity of your arguments. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it could be pushed further towards a more sophisticated level to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey complex ideas with precision, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If people purchase fewer...') and subordinate clauses ('Although recycling has significant benefits...'), with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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