Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-19

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)

In my view, while some advocates propose mandatory legislation to regulate household waste, such an approach may be insufficient in augmenting recycling efforts. Instead, governments must prioritise incentivising sustainable behaviour to foster proactive communal participation.

At the outset, it can be argued that laws are necessary to establish a standardized framework for waste management. Government legal obligations ensure compliance by creating uniform rules across different regions, which streamlines the process for the public. For instance implementation color coded sorting systems such as yellow for paper and cardboard and green for organic waste provides clear guidance for citizens. Furthermore the threat of fines or penalties can act as a necessary deterrent for those who choose not to recycle voluntarily ensuring that environmental responsibility is taken really.

Nevertheless legislation alone is rarely a panacea. For a fundamental shift to occur, public awareness and economic incentives must be integrated into the national strategy. Rather than relying solely on punitive measures, governments can launch educational campaigns to encourage voluntary compliance from an early age. Moreover, economic rewards, such as deposit-return schemes for bottles, can significantly boost recycling rates. When individuals receive financial reimbursement for their efforts, recycling is transformed from a legal chore into a rewarding habit, fostering long-term sustainable behavior that lasts beyond simple legal compliance.

In conclusion although legislation provides vital structure for household waste regulation the most effective results stem from a combination of authority and encouragement A dual approach that pairs standardized legal frameworks with financial incentives and education will not only allow for better infrastructure investment but also ensure a genuine long term every household.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that legislation is insufficient on its own and requires a dual approach. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph discussing the benefits of legal frameworks and the second exploring the necessity of incentives and education. The argument is balanced and relevant, showing a good understanding of the complexities involved in waste management policy. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points, reinforcing the student's stance. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question by arguing for a combination of approaches rather than a binary choice.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the necessity of laws and the need for incentives is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'At the outset', 'Furthermore', 'Nevertheless', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, there are minor punctuation issues, such as missing commas after introductory phrases (e.g., 'Furthermore the threat') and a missing word in the final sentence ('every household' seems incomplete). Despite these minor slips, the overall flow is logical and the paragraphing is appropriate.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'augmenting', 'standardized framework', 'panacea', and 'punitive measures' appropriately. The language is generally precise and fits the academic tone of the task. There are a few minor errors, such as 'taken really' (should be 'taken seriously') and the slightly awkward phrasing 'every household' at the end. However, the vocabulary is sufficiently flexible and precise to convey complex ideas clearly, and the use of less common items is generally successful.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay uses a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally strong. There are some punctuation errors, specifically missing commas after introductory elements like 'For instance' and 'Furthermore'. Additionally, there is a minor grammatical slip in the final sentence where the structure is incomplete. These are non-systematic errors that do not impede communication, and the overall control of grammar is quite high, reflecting a good command of complex structures.

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