Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-02

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)

Some people believe that not enough household waste is recycled and that governments should make recycling a legal requirement. I agree that laws can encourage people to recycle, but I do not think that laws are the only way to solve this problem.

There are some advantages of making recycling compulsory. Firstly, people may not recycle their waste because they do not take it seriously. If governments introduce laws, people will have to separate recyclable items from other rubbish. For example, they could be asked to put plastic, glass and paper in different bins. People who do not follow these rules could receive a fine. As a result, more people would probably recycle their household waste.

However, there are other ways to increase recycling. One important method is to educate people about the benefits of recycling. Many people may not understand how household waste can damage the environment. Governments could use television, schools and social media to explain the importance of recycling. If people understand that recycling can reduce pollution and save natural resources, they may be more willing to do it.

Another solution is to make recycling easier for households. Governments should provide separate bins and regular collection services in residential areas. If people have easy access to recycling facilities, they are more likely to recycle their waste. For instance, recycling bins could be placed in every neighbourhood so that people do not have to travel far to use them.

In conclusion, I believe that laws can be useful for increasing recycling because they can force people to change their habits. However, I do not think that legal requirements are the only solution. Public education and better recycling facilities are also important. Therefore, governments should use all of these methods together to achieve higher recycling rates.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant supporting ideas, such as the use of fines for enforcement, public education campaigns, and infrastructure improvements like accessible recycling bins. The arguments are logical and directly answer the question regarding the extent to which laws are needed. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points, suggesting a balanced approach. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific real-world examples or deeper analysis of the potential drawbacks of legal enforcement, such as the cost of monitoring compliance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'However', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each section focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. The referencing is clear throughout, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words. The structure is coherent and supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use topic-specific terms such as 'household waste', 'recyclable items', 'natural resources', and 'recycling facilities' correctly. While the vocabulary is accurate and clear, it is somewhat functional and lacks a wider range of less common or more sophisticated lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and your meaning is always conveyed precisely. To improve, try incorporating more nuanced synonyms or academic collocations to demonstrate greater lexical flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structures in 'If governments introduce laws, people will have to...' and 'If people understand that recycling can reduce pollution...'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors throughout the text. The sentences are generally error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with more complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions or inverted conditionals, to show greater grammatical range.

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