Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-12

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 5.5)

It is undeniable that 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 legal requirement has become increasingly significant in our modern society. Many people discuss the impact and debate whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. In this essay I will discuss both perspectives and explain why I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

To begin with, there are some notable advantages to making new laws to make people recycle more. First and foremost, people recycle quickly if they know they will get fined for not doing it, which can greatly contribute to the world being more cleaner. For example, many people state that by making new laws it will allow them to recycle faster. Furthermore, it becomes a goof habit, when it becomes a rule people are more likely to get used to doing it everyday without thinking of it, which is particularly beneficial for children, as they grow up caring for the planet.

On the other hand, several potential drawbacks must be taken into account. One major concern associated with that is that it will be hard to check everyone’s trash, which may lead to people not caring. For instance, people may think if governments wont check their trash they won’t do it. In addition, it may be unfair to some people since the elderly wont always be able to recycle daily, which can negatively affect them if they are fined for making a simple mistake.

Ultimately, while it is clear that recycling laws offer a number of advantages, it is equally important to acknowledge the potential disadvantages. Personally, I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks if recycling is checked once every month. Therefore, it is essential to adopt appropriate measures to maximize positive impacts and minimize any negative consequences.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt, but the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. While you clearly state your position that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, the supporting arguments are repetitive and lack depth. For instance, the point about children growing up to care for the planet is a good start, but it is not fully explored. Additionally, the argument regarding the elderly is a relevant point, but it is not balanced with potential solutions or counter-arguments. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph provides a more detailed explanation and a concrete example that directly supports your main argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear introduction and conclusion. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'On the other hand' to guide the reader. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'One major concern associated with that'. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that each sentence connects smoothly to the previous one, rather than relying on a standard list of transition words.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. You use some repetitive phrasing, such as 'make people recycle' and 'benefits outweigh the drawbacks'. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'more cleaner' (which is a double comparative) and 'goof habit' (likely a typo for 'good'). To improve, focus on using more sophisticated synonyms and collocations, and ensure you proofread for simple spelling errors that can detract from the overall quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'governments wont check' (missing apostrophe) and 'make it legal requirement' (missing article). Additionally, the sentence structure in the introduction is slightly awkward and contains a run-on construction. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your message, they are frequent enough to limit your score. Focus on subject-verb agreement, consistent use of articles, and correct punctuation to enhance your accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.