Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

As global warming increases, discussions on environmental issues arise. Many people try to tackle environmental problems recycling, thinking it represents a good way to reduce the amount of waste produced. On the other hand, others argue that recycling is not enough and other measures should be taken, for example they suggest purchase less products. Overall, I believe recycling is ncessary, but we should also try not to buy products that remain unused.

Recycling not only helps to fight climate problems, but it can also make people more conscious of the waste they generate. Through the consciousness people can reduce the amount of waste they produce. Recycling means that for example part of the packing of a product is reused a second time. This can not be done with every material, but it can be done with plastic, which is one of the main issue for our oceans. Then, recycling represent a nice starting point.

However, recycling is not enough. In fact, talking about the plastic, usually only 30% of the material can be given a second life. If not everybody decide to recycle, it follows that the amount of plastic regenerated is just a minuscule quota compared to the amount of plastic that remains in the environment. Consuming less is a way to reduce the problem. Many times we buy products we do not really need and we even do not use. Not purchasing those products is exactly the kind of restriction we can impose to ourselves to help the planet.

In conclusion, I believe recycling represent a sort of first aid for the planet, but most of us can do more with simple decisions we make everyday. Not buying a product we do not need is a simple choice that can have an impact as big as recycling.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a consistent position: recycling is necessary, but people should also avoid buying things they do not need. The discussion of recycling as a way to raise awareness and the example of plastic give the first view some support, while the point that only part of plastic can be reused helps explain why reducing consumption matters. This meets the task well, though the two sides are not developed equally: the benefits of recycling are explained briefly, and the 30% figure is not sourced or explored. To strengthen the response further, explain more precisely how recycling reduces environmental harm and support the consumption argument with a specific example or consequence. Your conclusion clearly restates your view, but its comparison of the impact of not buying and recycling could be qualified or explained.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear four-paragraph structure, moving from an introduction to the two views and then a conclusion. The contrast between the positions is easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “On the other hand,” “However,” and “In conclusion” guide the reader through the argument. Ideas generally progress logically within each paragraph, particularly from the limits of recycling to the case for consuming less. Some connections are less smooth or precise: “Through the consciousness” refers awkwardly to the previous idea, and “If not everybody decide to recycle, it follows that” makes the reasoning feel mechanical. Use clearer referencing and vary the way you connect cause and effect. Overall, organisation is strong, while a few cohesive links could be more natural.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “environmental issues,” “waste,” “reused,” “plastic,” and “consuming less,” so the main ideas are communicated clearly. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “a minuscule quota” and “a sort of first aid for the planet.” However, some choices are inaccurate or unnatural, including “purchase less products,” “the main issue for our oceans,” and “a minuscule quota” for an amount. “Ncessary” is also misspelled, and “packing” is less suitable than the intended packaging. These slips do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and naturalness. Aim for accurate collocations and word forms, and choose straightforward expressions when a more elaborate phrase is not fully controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses such as “Many times we buy products we do not really need” and the conditional structure beginning “If not everybody…”. Most sentences remain understandable, and the paragraphing helps the reader follow the argument. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with subject–verb agreement and plural forms: “recycling represent” should be “recycling represents,” “one of the main issue” should be “one of the main issues,” and “not everybody decide” should be “not everybody decides.” There are also article and construction problems, as in “part of the packing of a product” and “the consciousness.” Review agreement and article use, and check each sentence for a clear, complete grammatical pattern. Greater accuracy across the complex sentences would improve control.

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