Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-29
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 6.5)
Concern for the environment is surging and numerous individuals are opting to recycle. However, some people are of the view that recycling is not sufficient and hence we need to consume less. Proponents of the former view believe that consuming less is impossible with the evident increase in population, while supporters of the latter claim that consuming less is worthwhile, irrespective of population rise.It is my opinion that the viewpoint of the first suggestion outweighs the other.
The rapid rise of population is imminent. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that population is going to increase at a proportion of approximately 16% in the next ten years. It is therefore almost impossible to control the surging rate of consumption. For example, the number of individuals consuming different foods will automatically rise, making protection of the environment a difficult task. If serious measures are not taken, we are going to leave our environment in very bad shape. It is therefore important that we look for urgent measures to prevent the problem. It is my view that recycling will be hugely beneficial in that aspect. It is easy and cheap. The recycled products can be used for other purposes making the process beneficial to the economy.
On the other end, consuming less is also another solution that has been presented in various discussions. Consuming less can be of great benefit, as it also not only helps in conserving the environment, but also helps in the overall health of human beings. However, with the increase in population, it is going to be a difficult task to control consumption. I believe that the proposal is not viable, especially in a country expected to experience significant growth in population.
The two different proposals are worth implementing, however my opinion is that recycling offers a more long lasting solution as compared to consuming less. I believe it is not practical to measure the consumption rate of every citizen.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention that recycling is 'easy and cheap' and that consuming less is 'not viable,' these points could be expanded with more concrete examples or deeper analysis to reach a higher band. The argument regarding population growth is a central pillar of your essay, but the link between population size and the impossibility of reducing consumption is asserted rather than fully explored. To improve, ensure that your supporting arguments are more thoroughly explained and linked directly to the prompt's core tension between recycling and reduced consumption.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'For example,' and 'On the other end' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition into the second paragraph regarding population growth is abrupt. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and there is a clear progression of ideas throughout the text. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensuring that the relationship between sentences is more fluid and less reliant on simple connectors.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'surging,' 'imminent,' and 'viable' correctly. There is some repetition of basic words like 'consuming' and 'population.' While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, there is a lack of more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of control. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations and synonyms to avoid repetitive phrasing and to add nuance to your arguments.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear, and errors in grammar and punctuation are infrequent and do not impede communication. For example, 'The two different proposals are worth implementing, however my opinion is...' contains a minor punctuation error (a comma splice), but the meaning remains clear. You show good control over basic structures, but the range of complex grammatical forms is somewhat limited. To improve, try to incorporate more varied sentence types, such as conditional clauses or passive constructions, to demonstrate a wider grammatical range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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