Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-30

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)

Concern for the environment is increasing, and recycling has become more common. However, some people argue that recycling alone is not enough and that people should consume less. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe reducing consumption is more effective.

On the one hand, recycling is an important way to protect the environment. Firstly, it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and, therefore, helps to keep the environment cleaner. Moreover, recycling materials such as paper, plastic and glass means that fewer new resources are needed. Consequently, energy and natural resources can be saved. For example, recycling plastic bottles can reduce the need to produce new plastic from oil. Thus, recycling can make a significant contribution to environmental protection.

On the other hand, recycling cannot solve the problem if people continue to buy and throw away too many products. In other words, recycling deals with waste after it has already been created. Therefore, consuming less can prevent waste from being produced in the first place. For instance, buying fewer clothes and using products for a longer period can reduce both waste and pollution. Furthermore, lower consumption can decrease the energy and resources required for manufacturing.

In my opinion, although recycling is certainly beneficial, reducing consumption should be the priority. Nevertheless, both approaches should be used together. If people buy less, reuse products and recycle the remaining waste, they can significantly reduce their negative impact on the environment.

In conclusion, recycling is useful; however, consuming less is a more effective long-term solution. Therefore, individuals should adopt both habits to protect the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the importance of recycling and the argument for reduced consumption. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with logical explanations, such as the distinction between managing waste after creation versus preventing it at the source. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by providing more specific real-world examples or deeper analysis of the socio-economic implications of reduced consumption, which would add more depth to your discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Moreover', 'Consequently', 'In other words', and 'Nevertheless'. The transition between the two viewpoints and your own opinion is smooth. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding. The use of referencing is clear, and the flow of information is consistent throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'make a significant contribution', 'prevent waste from being produced', and 'long-term solution' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items related to environmental sustainability, such as 'finite resources', 'consumerist culture', or 'mitigate environmental degradation', to show greater flexibility and stylistic awareness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If people buy less...') and complex structures effectively. The punctuation is accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The sentences are generally error-free, which indicates a high level of control. To reach the highest bands, ensure you continue to vary your sentence structures even more, perhaps by incorporating more advanced subordinating clauses or inversion to demonstrate full flexibility.

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

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