Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-17

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 8.0)

Environmental awareness has increased considerably in recent years, leading many people to recycle more of their household waste. However, some argue that recycling alone is insufficient and that people should reduce the amount they consume in the first place. While recycling is undoubtedly beneficial, I believe that lowering overall consumption is a more effective long-term solution.

On the one hand, recycling plays an important role in reducing the environmental damage caused by waste. Materials such as paper, glass, plastic and metal can often be processed and reused instead of being sent to landfill. This not only reduces the amount of rubbish produced but can also decrease the need to extract new natural resources. For example, recycling aluminium requires far less raw material than producing it from newly mined ore. As a result, widespread recycling can help conserve resources and reduce pollution.

On the other hand, recycling does not address the underlying problem of excessive consumption. Modern consumers often purchase products they do not genuinely need, including fast fashion, disposable packaging and frequently replaced electronic devices. Even when these items are recycled, energy and resources are still required to manufacture, transport and process them. Therefore, reducing consumption would prevent waste from being created in the first place. Choosing durable products, repairing existing items and avoiding unnecessary purchases could have a much greater environmental impact than relying solely on recycling.

In my view, recycling should remain an important part of environmental policy, but it should be combined with efforts to encourage more responsible consumption. Governments and individuals should focus not only on managing waste but also on reducing the amount of waste generated.

In conclusion, recycling is useful in limiting environmental harm, but consuming less is ultimately more effective because it tackles the problem at its source. The best approach is therefore to reduce unnecessary consumption while continuing to recycle unavoidable waste.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—the importance of recycling and the necessity of consuming less—while providing a clear and well-developed personal position throughout. The introduction establishes the writer's stance, and both body paragraphs effectively extend and support the main ideas with relevant examples, such as the comparison of aluminium processing and the mention of fast fashion and disposable packaging. The arguments are logically connected to the prompt, and the conclusion neatly summarises the discussion without introducing redundant information. This performance easily meets the criteria for Band 8.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from the introduction through the two contrasting body paragraphs to the final synthesis and conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'For example', and 'Therefore' are managed effectively to guide the reader through the argumentation. There is a smooth flow throughout the essay, and referencing is clear and precise, aligning well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The candidate demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on environmental issues. Less common lexical items such as 'insufficient', 'underlying problem', 'widespread recycling', and 'durable products' are integrated naturally and accurately. Word choice and collocation are generally strong, with only minor general vocabulary choices, meaning communication is never impeded. The lexical control demonstrated here easily satisfies the requirements for a Band 7.5 or 8.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional or participial clauses and well-controlled relative clauses (e.g., 'Materials such as paper... can often be processed and reused instead of being sent to landfill'). The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, showcasing a high level of grammatical control and punctuation accuracy. Any slips are rare and non-systematic, which fully justifies a Band 8 for grammatical range and accuracy.

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