Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-22

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)

It is an undeniable fact that the waste from homes should be recycled and if it is not there are laws that should be put in place. While I agree that legal measures can play a paramount role in increasing recycling rates, I believe that public awareness and recycling facilities are equally necessary to achieve long-term results.

To begin with, the low level of household recycling is a serious environmental concern. Many people throw recyclable materials such as plastic, paper and glass into general waste because they are either unaware of the consequences or they find recycling inconvenient. As a result, large quantities of waste end up in landfills, which can contribute to soil and water pollution. Moreover, some households do not recycle because there are insufficient recycling bins in their neighbourhood. Therefore, the government should not only encourage people to recycle but also make the process simple and accessible.

However, we seldom give a thought to ponder over the other side of the story. Laws can be highly effective in increasing the amount of waste that is recycled. The government could require households to separate recyclable materials and impose reasonable fines on those who fail to follow the rules. Moreover, positive incentives, such as discounts or rewards for recycling could encourage people to willingly recycle. However, legislation alone is unlikely to solve the problem unless it is supported by the people.

Considering the various aspects mentioned above, I believe that laws are necessary to increase household recycling, because they will make the people more responsible. Nevertheless, the most effective approach would be to combine legal requirements with public awareness and recycling facilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that supports legal measures while acknowledging the necessity of supplementary factors like public awareness. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the discussion on fines versus incentives. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific real-world examples of how legislation has successfully increased recycling in a particular country or city, which would further strengthen the development of the argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'As a result', 'Moreover', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the structure is easy to follow. The flow is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The essay demonstrates a good command of organizational features, ensuring the reader can follow the argument without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'environmental concern', 'recyclable materials', 'landfills', and 'positive incentives'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, such as 'paramount role' and 'legislation', which is used accurately. The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. To improve further, the student could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of lexical resources.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('if it is not there are laws...') and subordinate clauses ('While I agree that...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of the text. There are no major grammatical errors that cause confusion. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the writing is fluent. The response demonstrates a solid grasp of grammatical rules, fitting the criteria for a high band score.

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