Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-19

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 6.0)

The role of human activities and its impact on environment is a topic that has been gaining attention and more awareness from the public over the past decade. People have varying opinions when it comes to conserving and protecting the environment. Some individuals suggest that recycling is a good way to address the issue, whereas others believe consuming less plays a more important role. Both arguments are valid and hold some merits.

People that recommend recycling believe that it is a good way of reducing waste and maximising use of a single product or material. For instance, a used plastic bottle can be recycled into multiple things such as a pot for plants, another plastic product etc. This way, a product can be reused again and again in different shapes to maximise its usage, rather than dumping it after one use.

In contrast, some individuals believe that simply recycling is not enough, but consuming less plays a much more important role because it will reduce waste as well as keeping yourself more accountable to play a much more active role in protecting the environment. This is because overconsumption harms not only the planet but also the person who's consuming it. For example, a person that keeps on losing his water bottle will have to repurchase again and again , this will eventually increase the waste product as well as hurting the pocket of the individual himself.

In my opinion, both approaches are needed in order to draw the most effective solution. Recycling and consuming less products should complement each other and go hand in hand to save the planet. Especially since the overconsumption is on the rise these days due to the influence of trends on social medias, it is becoming more important to make people aware of the harms that comes along with it, and promoting recycling instead. For example, supermarkets are now implementing the initiative of using grocery bags made of fabric, so that it can be reused , and the plastic consumption can be reduced. Having one specific bag for grocery has significantly reduced the consumption of plastic bags as well.

In conclusion, while both approaches are right in their own respective ways, a more hollistic approach combining both can prove to be more beneficial for the man and society as a whole.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that recycling is sufficient and that we need to consume less—while also providing a clear personal opinion throughout the essay. The introduction acknowledges both perspectives, and body paragraphs develop these views with relevant examples, such as turning plastic bottles into plant pots or grocery bag initiatives. The position is well maintained, although some of the supporting ideas, like losing a water bottle, border on trivial rather than broader overconsumption, but they remain relevant. Ideas are generally well supported, earning a solid Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression from introduction, through body paragraphs representing each view, to a well-considered conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect ideas, such as 'In contrast' and 'In my opinion'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. However, referencing is occasionally slightly repetitive ('this will eventually increase', 'this is becoming more important'), placing the cohesion securely at Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task with some attempts at less common lexical items, such as 'overconsumption', 'hollistic approach', and 'complement each other'. There are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'hollistic' (spelling error), 'social medias' (uncountable noun used as countable), and 'hurting the pocket'. Nonetheless, the range is adequate to convey precise meaning, and errors do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or relative clauses ('which are now implementing...', 'that can be reused'). There are several grammatical errors present, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('human activities and its impact') and missing articles ('repurchase again and again'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, though comma splices occur occasionally. The errors do not impede communication, matching the profile of a Band 6.5 or 6.0 performance.

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