Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-18

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 7.0)

These days, the volume of concern for the environment is growing. While some people are choosing to recycle, others claim that recycling is not enough and believe we need to consume less. I think in most cases recycling is not sufficient for concerning environment.

On the one hand, recycling plays a vital role in saving resources. For example, recycling plastic products avoid from unmanaged trash in the surrounding. Additionally, recycling saves natural resources. When we recycle paper products, less amount of trees are cut down.. It also takes far less energy for a factory to remake an old glass jar than to create a brand-new one from raw materials. Because recycling programs are available in many schools and neighborhoods, it is an easy habit for everyday people to practice.

On the other hand, many people argue that we must focus on consuming less. The core problem with recycling is that it still requires energy and transportation, which creates pollution. Buying fewer items solves this issue at the very start. When people buy less clothing, electronics, or plastic toys, factories produce less. This directly reduces the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Furthermore, consuming less encourages people to choose high-quality items that last longer, or to repair broken things instead of throwing them away. This mindset stops waste from being created in the first place.In my opinion, consuming less is the more powerful and effective choice of the two. Recycling is a good safety net, but it is a cure for a symptom rather than a cure for the disease. If we keep buying items at the current rate, recycling systems will eventually become overwhelmed. Therefore, the best approach is to follow the traditional rule of environmental care: reduce first, reuse second, and recycle last.In conclusion, both recycling and reducing consumption are valuable tools for protecting nature. Recycling helps us manage the waste we already have, while consuming less prevents future waste from harming the earth. To truly protect our environment, society must shift its focus from just recycling trash to buying less overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both recycling and the need to consume less while providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument that recycling is a 'cure for a symptom' rather than the root cause. The essay is balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples rather than general statements about 'plastic products' or 'clothing' to further strengthen the depth of the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, a personal opinion paragraph, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Additionally', 'Furthermore', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between recycling and consumption is clearly articulated. The use of referencing is generally accurate, contributing to the overall flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific language such as 'natural resources', 'greenhouse gases', and 'environmental care' effectively. There are some minor awkward phrasings, such as 'volume of concern' and 'concerning environment', which are slightly unnatural. However, the range is adequate to convey complex ideas with precision. The student demonstrates a good grasp of collocations, and the errors present do not impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several error-free sentences, and the control of grammar is generally strong. However, there are some minor errors, such as 'recycling plastic products avoid from unmanaged trash' (should be 'avoids unmanaged trash') and 'less amount of trees' (should be 'fewer trees'). These errors are non-systematic and do not interfere with the clarity of the message. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence variety supports the development of the argument.

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