Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-10

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 growing, and more and more people are choosing to recycle their waste. However, some people believe that recycling is not enough and that people should consume less to protect the environment. I agree with both views to some extent, but I believe that reducing consumption is more important because it can decrease the amount of waste produced in the first place.

To begin with, recycling is an effective way to protect the environment because many waste materials can be used again to produce new products. Governments and individuals can separate recyclable materials such as plastic, paper, glass and metal from general waste. For example, in Kathmandu, people can collect plastic bottles and other recyclable materials and sell them to recycling factories. This can reduce the amount of rubbish thrown on roads and into rivers, and it can also help keep the environment clean.

On the other hand, some people argue that recycling alone is not enough because people continue to buy and use too many products. When consumption increases, more household waste is produced, and recycling cannot always deal with all of it. For instance, people often buy unnecessary plastic bottles, clothes and electronic products even when they already have similar items at home. Therefore, consuming fewer products can reduce waste at its source and decrease the pressure on recycling systems.

In my opinion, both recycling and reducing consumption are necessary, but people should focus more on consuming less. Recycling deals with waste after products have already been used, whereas consuming less can prevent unnecessary waste from being produced.

In conclusion, recycling helps protect the environment, but consuming less can reduce waste even more. Therefore, both governments and individuals should recycle and avoid unnecessary consumption.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both recycling and the need to consume less while providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the reference to waste management in Kathmandu. However, the development of ideas is somewhat straightforward and could benefit from more depth or nuanced exploration of the environmental impact of consumption versus recycling. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the task requirements, fitting the criteria for a solid performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

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. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the argument. While the flow is clear, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat standard; incorporating a wider variety of linking phrases could elevate the coherence further.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terminology such as 'waste materials', 'recycling systems', and 'consume less' effectively. There is an attempt to use a range of vocabulary, though it remains somewhat functional rather than sophisticated. While the language is clear and precise enough to convey the intended meaning without difficulty, there is limited use of less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations that would be expected at a higher band level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. Examples of complex structures include conditional-like logic ('When consumption increases, more household waste is produced') and contrastive clauses. While the grammar is generally accurate, the range of structures is somewhat limited, and the essay lacks the more sophisticated, varied sentence patterns that would characterize a higher band score. However, errors are rare and do not impede communication.

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

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