Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-09

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 5.5)

In an era, 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. I totally agree with it because recycling cannot end the environmental problems.

On one hand, recycling is helpful habit, but it has a limit. When we recycle items such as plastic, bottles or papers, machines still consumes energy for the whole recycling process. The machines may need more electricity or water to turn garbage into new products. Additionally, some of the items in recycling bin cannot be recycled and they directly released into the oceans and rivers, meaning that recycling alone cannot solve our trash problems.

On the other hand, consuming less is a much better way to reduce this issue. When we stops buying the things that we do not need or use electronis devices, machines with too much plastic packaging or others. As a result, this will saves our natural resources like water, electricity and trees. For instance, using a reusable water bottle instead of other can reduce the trash problems.

In conclusion, while recycling is a good step in the right direction, it is not a perfect solution. To truly protect the earth, the best choice is to reduce what we buy and consume less. Instead of buying new things everyday, we should buy the things that are reusable so that they can be used again and again. This would reduce the environmental pollution from the planet.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear opinion that consuming less is more effective than relying on recycling, and you discuss both views. The recycling paragraph explains that processing uses energy and water, while the consumption paragraph offers a practical example involving a reusable bottle. However, several points remain brief or unclear: the claim that recyclable items are released into waterways needs explanation, and the example about buying fewer devices is not developed. The conclusion restates your position but adds little support. The response is 223 words, 27 words below the 250-word minimum; 31 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. Develop each main point with a clearer explanation or a specific example, and ensure the response meets the required length.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. The signposts “On one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the basic organisation. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes weak, and some links between ideas are unclear. For example, “When we stops buying the things that we do not need or use electronis devices…” does not form a clear connection between reducing purchases and the examples that follow. The conclusion repeats the central idea rather than bringing the discussion together. Use complete, logically connected sentences and make each paragraph develop one main point in sequence; vary linking expressions rather than relying mainly on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “recycle,” “natural resources,” “reusable,” and “environmental pollution,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling problems make the writing less precise. Examples include “recycling is helpful habit,” “trash problems,” and “electronis devices”; the last also contains a spelling error. “This would reduce the environmental pollution from the planet” is an awkward way to express the intended idea. Build a wider set of accurate environmental phrases and check spelling carefully. More precise wording will help you explain the effects of recycling and reduced consumption without repeating general terms such as “things” and “problems.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a conditional example beginning “When we recycle items…” and a contrast introduced by “while” in the conclusion. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some passages difficult to follow. For instance, “machines still consumes” should have subject–verb agreement, while “When we stops buying” and “this will saves” use incorrect verb forms. The sentence beginning “When we stops buying…” is also incomplete or poorly connected to its examples. Practise checking the subject and verb in each clause, and make sure every sentence has a complete grammatical structure. Accurate control of these basics will make your ideas clearer.

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