Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-01

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 8.0)

It is argued that most of the communities are not recycling their household waste. Others believe that this can be achieved by imposing strict laws. I largely agree with this view because legislation can encourage widespread compliance and discourage irresponsible disposal, although laws alone are unlikely to be sufficient.

One main reason why legal requirements are necessary is that many people do not recycle unless they are given a strong incentives. Recycling requires individuals to separate different types of waste, which can be inconvenient and time consuming. Consequently, people may simply throw recyclable material in general rubbish bins. If governments introduce compulsory recycling schemes, supported by penalties for repeated non-compliance, households are more likely to change their behaviour. For example, a local authority could require residents to separate glass, paper and plastic and impose a reasonable fine on households who are consistently ignoring the rules. Such measures would make recycling a normal part of everyday life rather than a matter of choice.

Nevertheless, I do not believe that law should be treated as the only solution. Education and public awareness are equally important because people are more likely to maintain environmentally responsible habits when they understand their long-term benefits. Governments could therefore run campaigns in schools and communities explaining how excessive waste contributes to harmful pollution and resource depletion. In addition, recycling should be made convenient by providing clearly labelled bins and regular collection services. If recycling facilities are inadequate, punishing people for failing to recycle would be unfair and ineffective.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that government legislation has an important role to play in increasing recycling because it can encourage compliance and establish consistent standards. However, law should be combined with environmental education, convenient collection system and appropriate incentives. This combination is more likely to produce lasting changes in people's behaviour than legislation alone.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument regarding the necessity of legal frameworks balanced with the need for infrastructure and education. You provided a relevant example of local authorities imposing fines, which effectively supports your position. The response is well-structured, and the conclusion provides a clear summary of your main points. The development of ideas is logical and consistent, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

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 importance of supporting measures is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'consequently', 'nevertheless', and 'in addition', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is clearly established throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'widespread compliance', 'irresponsible disposal', 'resource depletion', and 'lasting changes' show a strong command of language. There is a good level of precision in your word choice, and you avoid repetitive language. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the topic well, incorporating a few more sophisticated, less common collocations or idiomatic expressions could elevate the score further. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient and used with flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If governments introduce compulsory recycling schemes... households are more likely to change their behaviour'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are very few minor slips, such as 'a strong incentives' (should be 'a strong incentive' or 'strong incentives'). These rare errors do not impede communication or affect the overall clarity of your argument. Your control over tense and agreement is consistent throughout.

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