Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

Environmental degradation has become an increasingly pressing global concern, prompting governments and individuals to adopt recycling as a means of reducing waste. While recycling undoubtedly plays an important role in environmental protection, some argue that it is insufficient and that people should fundamentally reduce their consumption. Although both approaches have considerable merit, I believe that reducing unnecessary consumption should take priority, with recycling serving as a complementary measure.

On the one hand, recycling is an effective way of mitigating the environmental impact of modern lifestyles. By processing materials such as paper, glass, metal and plastic for reuse, societies can reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill and decrease the demand for virgin raw materials. This, in turn, can conserve forests, minerals and other natural resources while lowering the energy required to manufacture certain products. Moreover, widespread recycling can encourage people to become more environmentally conscious. For instance, households that routinely separate recyclable waste may become more aware of the quantity of rubbish they generate and consequently develop other sustainable habits. Recycling, therefore, is a practical and relatively accessible way for individuals to contribute to environmental protection.

On the other hand, recycling addresses the consequences of excessive consumption rather than its underlying cause. Producing, transporting and eventually disposing of consumer goods requires vast quantities of energy and raw materials, even when those products are later recycled. Furthermore, many materials cannot be recycled indefinitely, and recycling itself consumes water and energy. A far more effective strategy is therefore to reduce demand in the first place. Consumers can achieve this by buying durable products, avoiding unnecessary packaging, repairing damaged possessions and resisting the tendency to replace functional items simply because newer versions are available. For example, purchasing a high-quality piece of clothing and wearing it for several years is likely to generate considerably less environmental harm than repeatedly buying inexpensive garments and discarding them after a short period.

In my view, reducing consumption is ultimately more important than recycling, although neither strategy should be considered sufficient in isolation. Recycling is valuable because it prevents reusable materials from becoming waste, but it cannot fully compensate for an economic system based on continual production and consumption. Governments should consequently encourage more sustainable patterns of behaviour through measures such as stricter packaging regulations, incentives for manufacturers to produce durable goods and public campaigns promoting responsible consumption. At the individual level, people should focus first on buying less and using possessions for longer, and then recycle whatever remains at the end of its useful life.

In conclusion, recycling can substantially reduce waste and conserve resources, but it has inherent limitations and cannot solve the environmental problems created by excessive consumption. The most effective long-term approach is therefore to reduce unnecessary consumption while maintaining comprehensive recycling systems, thereby tackling both the source and the consequences of environmental damage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. You provided a clear position from the introduction, discussed both views in balanced detail, and supported your arguments with logical reasoning and relevant examples, such as the comparison between high-quality clothing and inexpensive garments. Your ideas are well-developed and extended throughout the essay. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring that the reader is never in doubt about your stance. The response is comprehensive and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

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. You make excellent use of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'This, in turn', and 'consequently', which guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of your argument, and referencing is precise throughout the text. The flow of information is natural and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. You use precise collocations and topic-specific terminology such as 'environmental degradation', 'mitigating the environmental impact', 'virgin raw materials', and 'inherent limitations'. The language is natural and shows a high level of control. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary is used with precision to convey complex ideas. The use of academic register is consistent and appropriate for an IELTS Task 2 essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your writing displays a wide range of complex structures, including conditional sentences, relative clauses, and varied sentence lengths. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is excellent. You successfully integrate complex ideas using sophisticated syntactic structures, such as 'Producing, transporting and eventually disposing of consumer goods requires...', which demonstrates high grammatical flexibility. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high, consistent with the requirements for a top band score.

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