Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-23

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 6.0)

In recent times, some people champion that only a little generated house-hold wastes are recycled, and that it is pertinent for the government to pass laws in order to increase re-use of products. In my opinion, I completely agree that, rules are to be enforced in order to ensure compliance and reward where possible. These points will be discussed in the following paragraphs with relevant examples followed by a logical conclusion.

To begin with, recycling enables house hold wastes like cans, plastics, papers, bags, and metals to be reused, instead of sending them directly to landfill. However, enacting laws to ensure adequate reuse of these materials will enhance compliance by individuals in this society, as failure to adhere to set regulations might attract punishment either by paying a fine or by community service. Take for instance, an individual fined to pay a certain amount because they went ahead to dispose reusable materials without putting them up to be recycled.

Furthermore, protocols will be followed properly when a positive reward is attached. People can follow rules and regulations when they are aware of the gains attached to it either financial gains or material gains. For example, residents going through lots of stress in order to properly dispose off their household waste into a recycling bin because there is a law that they will receive incentive at the point of disposal.

In conclusion, some people champion that only a small amount of generated wastes are been reused, and that it is important for the government to pass rules that can ensure adequate recycling. In my opinion, I completely agree with this because it will improve compliance and appropriate reward.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of legal requirements for recycling. The ideas are relevant, focusing on compliance through punishment and incentives. However, the development is somewhat limited. While the introduction and body paragraphs present the core argument, the explanation of the 'incentive' point is slightly repetitive and lacks depth. To reach a higher band, you should provide more specific, real-world examples or elaborate on the socio-economic impacts of such laws. The conclusion is a bit redundant, merely restating the introduction rather than synthesizing the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear central topic. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'However', and 'Furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel slightly forced. Referencing is generally clear, but the progression of ideas within the second body paragraph could be smoother. The conclusion is somewhat repetitive, which slightly impacts the overall coherence of the argument. Overall, the structure is clear and follows a standard academic format, which is sufficient for this band level.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'pertinent', 'compliance', and 'regulations'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation. For example, 'champion that' is not the standard way to express this opinion, and 'dispose off' is grammatically incorrect (it should be 'dispose of'). The phrase 'only a little generated house-hold wastes' is also slightly unnatural. While you attempt to use more sophisticated vocabulary, the inaccuracies prevent a higher score. Focusing on more precise collocations and avoiding informal phrasing will help improve your lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'only a little generated house-hold wastes are recycled' (subject-verb agreement) and 'wastes are been reused' (incorrect passive voice construction). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but there are minor errors, such as the unnecessary comma after 'agree that'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band score. To improve, focus on mastering passive voice constructions and ensuring subject-verb agreement in complex sentences.

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

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