Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-10

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.

To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Some people argue that not enough household waste is being recycled and that governments should make recycling a legal requirement. I partly agree with this view because laws can encourage people to recycle, but I believe that education and convenient recycling systems are also necessary.

One reason why laws can be effective is that they can make people take recycling more seriously. If households are required to separate different types of waste, people may be more likely to develop this habit. Governments can also introduce fines for those who repeatedly fail to follow recycling rules. For example, if people know what they could receive a penalty for putting recyclable materials in general waste, they may become more careful about sorting their rubbish. Therefore, legal requirements can be an effective way to increase recycling rates.

However, making recycling a legal requirement alone may not be enough. Many people do not recycle because they do not understand its importance or because recycling facilities are not easily available in their area. Governments should therefore provide proper recycling bins and collection services and educate the public about the environmental benefits of recycling. For instance, schools can teach children about waste management, while public campaigns can show people how recycling can reduce pollution and save natural resources. These measures can encourage people to recycle even when there is no threat of punishment.

In my opinion, governments should introduce laws to increase recycling, especially for households and businesses that produce large amounts of waste. However, these laws should be supported by public education and convenient recycling facilities. This combination is more likely to produce long-term changes in people's behavior.

In conclusion, laws can play an important role in increasing the amount of household waste that is recycled, but they are not the only solution. Education, awareness and easy access to recycling facilities are also necessary to achieve better results.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with a logical balance between the argument for legal requirements and the counter-argument for education and infrastructure. Each paragraph is supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of fines and school-based education, which adds depth to your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points, ensuring the reader understands your nuanced stance. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question by proposing a balanced approach.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the argument for laws and the necessity of education is smooth. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'For instance', and 'Therefore', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, indicating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'legal requirement', 'waste management', 'environmental benefits', and 'long-term changes' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it could be elevated further to reach the highest band by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common idiomatic expressions. However, the current level is precise and conveys your meaning clearly without any errors in word choice or collocation. The language is natural and fits the formal tone required for an IELTS Task 2 essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If households are required...') and subordinate clauses ('...because they do not understand its importance...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex forms to convey your arguments effectively. To reach a higher band, you could experiment with more varied sentence beginnings or more sophisticated grammatical structures, but your current control is very strong and consistent.

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