Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-22

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)

Worries about the environment are increasing, and many people prefer recycling. However, there are different opinions about the effectiveness of recycling, and some people believe that consuming less is a better solution.

Encouragement to recycle is growing year by year, and many people think that it is an effective way to preserve natural resources. By recycling products, the same resources can be used repeatedly, which reduces the need for raw materials and consequently helps preserve natural resources. Recycling does not only help people optimise production but also helps protect the environment. Recycling more materials leads to less waste being thrown into the environment, which can reduce pollution of the air, oceans and soil. In addition, the concept of a green economy has become widespread around the world, and it often involves recycling products in order to protect the environment.

On the other hand, many people believe that recycling alone is not enough because the recycling process involves a number of manufacturing activities. These factories may generate additional pollution because they consume energy and can release harmful gases into the atmosphere. Therefore, environmental concerns may continue to increase and threaten the lives of living creatures around the world. Instead, some people believe that it is better to consume less in order to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.

In my opinion, I believe that recycling is an effective way to preserve natural resources. Although recycling processes may produce some pollution, a certain amount of industrial activity is unavoidable as long as humans continue to consume goods. Therefore, simply consuming less is not a sufficient solution, especially as people's needs continue to increase. A combination of responsible consumption and effective recycling would be the most practical approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both the importance of recycling and the argument for consuming less, while clearly stating your own position. Your ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, you explain the benefits of recycling in terms of resource preservation and waste reduction, and you contrast this with the potential environmental costs of the recycling process itself. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples or evidence to support your arguments, such as mentioning specific types of materials or real-world initiatives. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your view that a combination of both approaches is necessary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In addition', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore' to link your points effectively. The transition between the two viewpoints and your own opinion is smooth. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each perspective, and a concluding paragraph. To improve further, ensure that the referencing remains precise throughout; while your use of cohesive devices is generally good, occasionally varying the structure of your linking phrases could make the flow even more natural.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'optimise production', 'raw materials', 'green economy', and 'industrial activity' are used appropriately. There is a good awareness of collocation, and your word choices are generally accurate. While you avoid basic errors, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. For example, instead of repeating 'protect the environment', you could use 'mitigate environmental degradation' or 'alleviate ecological pressure'. Overall, your vocabulary is adequate and allows for clear communication of your ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. For example, your use of conditional structures and complex sentences with 'although' and 'as' demonstrates a good grasp of grammatical variety. There are very few errors, and those that do occur do not impede communication. To aim for a higher band, ensure that you continue to use a wide range of complex structures consistently and maintain this high level of accuracy throughout the entire piece.

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