Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-24

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)

It is irrefutable that human activities have been destroying the environment day by day and people seem to be worried about it. Several people prefer recycling but others argue that it is not enough rather, we should reduce the amount of our consumption. This essay intends to discuss both the opinions and my viewpoint on the argument as well.

To begin with, recycling will decrease the plastic waste and hence might result friutful for the environment but, this is not the only option. The major threats to nature include air, water and noise pollution, single use plastic waste, chloroflourocarbon gas and deforestation. Therefore, these areas should also be focused on rather than consuming lesser.

Secondly, to save the environment, people should use less electronic devices that release several toxic chemicals and gases in the air, encourage public transport rather than private vehicles. Another measure could be to avoid burning og plastic waste and cutting trees and forests for their own gain.

Finally, the idea of reducing the amount of our consumption might not be so practical rather it will be a threat to human health as our body needs to intake several minerals and vitamins to process perfectly. Moreover, it does not affect the environment in any aspect but people should avoid over-consumption to be healthy and contribute to save the environment as well.

To conclude, I strongly agree with the first half of the latter view in the given statement as the choice of recycling will positively affect the environment but only recycling would not be enough.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both recycling and reducing consumption, and your conclusion gives a clear preference for recycling while acknowledging that it is not sufficient on its own. However, the discussion does not fully develop the two views. The first body paragraph lists environmental threats such as pollution and deforestation, but does not explain how recycling addresses them or why these issues support one side of the debate. The second paragraph offers measures such as using public transport, yet the argument about reducing consumption is then linked mainly to nutrition and human health, which does not clearly explain its environmental effects. Develop each view with a relevant explanation or example, and make your position consistent and explicit throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate body paragraphs and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Secondly,” and “Finally” help signal movement between points. However, the progression of the argument is not always clear: the paragraph beginning “Secondly” discusses several environmental actions, while the next paragraph shifts to nutrition without a clear link to the debate about consumption. Some connections are also awkward, particularly “recycling… might result fruitful… but this is not the only option.” Use topic sentences that identify which view each paragraph discusses, and connect each example directly to that view. More precise referencing and fewer formulaic transitions would make the essay easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic-related vocabulary, including “deforestation,” “toxic chemicals,” “over-consumption,” and “public transport.” These choices show an attempt to discuss environmental issues beyond basic terms, and the main meaning is generally clear. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, however: “result fruitful” is not a natural expression, “intake several minerals” is awkward in this context, and “the first half of the latter view” makes your conclusion difficult to interpret. There are also spelling errors such as “friutful,” “chloroflourocarbon,” and “og.” Check spelling and learn common collocations, while choosing precise phrases that express your intended position.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “that,” “as,” and “rather than,” and most of the argument remains understandable. Some grammatical errors and punctuation problems persist. For example, “people should use less electronic devices” has a number-agreement error, while “it will be a threat… as our body needs to intake” creates an unclear relationship between the ideas. Commas are also misplaced in “but, this is not the only option” and “rather, we should reduce.” Practise checking agreement, sentence boundaries and punctuation, and simplify sentences when several ideas are competing. More consistently controlled complex sentences would improve clarity.

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