Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-28
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 5.0)
Some people believe that not enough household waste is recycledand that the only solution is for governments to make recycing a legal requirement.I agree to some extent that laws are necessary,but i also think education and awareness are equally important.
One reason why laws are neededis that many people donot recycle because it is not convenient for them.If the government makes recycling compulsory,people will have no choice but to follow the rules.For example in some countrires likr Germany people are fined if they donot separate their rubbish.As a result,the recycling rates in these countries are very high.Laws can also force local councils to provide recycling bins and collection services,which makes it easier for people to recycle.
However.making recycling a legal requirement is not enough on its own.If people donot understand ehy recycling is important,they may not follow the law properly. The government should not run comp
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the development of your ideas. While you introduce the topic and state a position, the essay is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence. Because the task is not fully addressed and the argument is cut off, it is impossible to provide a balanced or fully developed discussion. To improve, you must ensure you write at least 250 words, allowing space to fully explore your arguments, provide detailed examples, and include a clear conclusion. Currently, the lack of length and the unfinished nature of the response prevent a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay shows a basic attempt at logical organization, using transition words like 'However' and 'For example' to connect ideas. However, the paragraphing is inconsistent, and the abrupt ending disrupts the flow of the text. Cohesive devices are used in a somewhat mechanical way. To improve, focus on developing each paragraph with a clear topic sentence followed by supporting evidence, and ensure that your essay has a logical structure that leads to a completed conclusion. The lack of a finished structure makes it difficult to assess your ability to manage cohesion effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'compulsory,' 'legal requirement,' and 'separate their rubbish.' However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'recycing,' 'countrires,' and 'likr,' which suggest a lack of careful proofreading. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on simple phrasing. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and ensure your spelling is accurate. Expanding your range of vocabulary will help you express your ideas more fluently and with greater sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are frequent punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after commas and periods (e.g., 'recycledand,' 'requirement.I,' 'neededis'). Additionally, there are minor grammatical slips, such as 'ehy' instead of 'why.' While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of mechanical errors and the incomplete nature of the sentences significantly impact the quality of the writing. Focusing on basic punctuation rules and proofreading for small errors will help improve your score in this area.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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