Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-05

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)

Nowadays, environmental problems are becoming increasingly serious, and more people are choosing to recycle their waste. However, some people believe that recycling alone is not enough and that we should reduce the amount of goods we consume. I believe that both recycling and consuming less are important, but reducing unnecessary consumption is more effective in the long term.

On the one hand, recycling is an effective way to protect the environment. When people recycle materials such as paper, plastic, glass and metal, these materials can be reused instead of being thrown away. This reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and helps save natural resources. Moreover, recycling can reduce the energy required to produce some products from new materials. For example, recycling paper can reduce the need to cut down trees. Therefore, encouraging people to recycle can make a significant contribution to reducing environmental damage.

On the other hand, consuming less can prevent environmental problems before they occur. If people buy fewer unnecessary products, fewer resources and less energy will be needed to manufacture and transport them. This can reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, instead of frequently buying new clothes, people can purchase fewer items and use them for a longer period. In my opinion, this approach is more effective because it reduces waste at its source rather than dealing with it after products have already been used.

In conclusion, recycling is certainly beneficial because it reduces waste and helps conserve resources. Nevertheless, I believe that reducing unnecessary consumption is more important. People should therefore combine both approaches to protect the environment effectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both the importance of recycling and the argument for consuming less. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between dealing with waste after it is created versus preventing it at the source. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific real-world examples or data to support your claims, such as mentioning specific government initiatives or global consumption statistics, which would add further depth to your arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', 'For instance', and 'Nevertheless'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The flow of information is natural, and the transition between the two viewpoints is handled well, making the essay easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'reduce waste at its source', 'conserve resources', and 'environmental damage' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, it is mostly standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions, such as 'mitigate environmental degradation' or 'a paradigm shift in consumer behavior', to show greater flexibility and precision in your lexical choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'If people buy fewer unnecessary products, fewer resources... will be needed'. 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 band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility.

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