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 consider 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

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, clearly stating your position that while laws are necessary, they must be supported by infrastructure and awareness. Your ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, you provide a balanced view by discussing both the necessity of legal enforcement and the importance of practical support like recycling bins. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by providing a specific example of a country or city where such a dual approach has successfully increased recycling rates, which would add more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Your essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'Nevertheless', to guide the reader through your arguments. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the problem to the potential solution of legislation, and finally to a balanced synthesis. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'paramount role', 'environmental concern', and 'positive incentives' appropriately. Your word choice is generally precise and contributes to a formal, academic tone. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range, such as using 'mandatory' instead of 'legal requirement' or 'mitigate' instead of 'solve'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is good. For example, your use of conditional structures ('if it is not there are laws...') and complex sentences ('While I agree that...') shows a good command of grammar. There are very few errors, and those present do not interfere with the clarity of your message. To aim for a higher band, ensure consistent subject-verb agreement and continue to experiment with more varied complex sentence patterns.

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