Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-27

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 7.5)

The inadequate recycling of household waste has become a pressing environmental concern, and some argue that legislation is the only viable means of addressing it. I largely agree that legally enforceable measures are necessary to achieve substantial improvements in recycling rates; however, legislation alone is unlikely to be sufficient without public education and convenient recycling infrastructure.

There are several compelling reasons why governments should introduce legally binding recycling requirements. Voluntary participation is often inconsistent because individuals may prioritise convenience over environmental responsibility, particularly when separating waste requires additional time and effort. By imposing fines or other penalties on households that repeatedly fail to separate recyclable materials, governments can create a powerful incentive for compliance. Such measures have already been used in various environmental policies, including waste-separation and deposit-return schemes. More importantly, mandatory recycling can establish consistent behaviour across entire communities rather than relying solely on the goodwill of environmentally conscious citizens. Consequently, the volume of waste sent to landfill or incineration could be substantially reduced.

Nevertheless, laws by themselves cannot guarantee meaningful behavioural change. If households are expected to recycle but are not provided with clearly labelled bins, regular collection services or accessible recycling centres, legal requirements may be impractical and difficult to enforce. Moreover, people are more likely to comply with environmental regulations when they understand their purpose. Governments should therefore complement legislation with comprehensive environmental education, beginning in schools and extending to public-awareness campaigns. Financial incentives could also reinforce desirable behaviour; for example, households could receive small rebates for returning recyclable materials or reducing the amount of residual waste they produce. These measures would transform recycling from a legal obligation into a more deeply ingrained social norm.

In my view, legislation should form the backbone of a national recycling strategy, but it should not be regarded as a standalone solution. A combination of enforceable regulations, accessible infrastructure, public education and economic incentives would be considerably more effective than any one measure in isolation.

In conclusion, I largely agree that governments need laws to increase household recycling because voluntary efforts alone are unlikely to produce consistent, large-scale participation. However, legislation must be supported by education, infrastructure and incentives if governments are to achieve lasting changes in people's behaviour.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt, exploring both sides of the debate regarding whether legislation is the only way to increase recycling. The student presents a clear, well-developed position throughout the essay, stating agreement with the necessity of laws while also arguing for the integration of public education and infrastructure. Ideas are well supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as reference to deposit-return schemes and financial rebates. The progression of arguments is logical, moving from the justification of legal requirements to the limitations of laws alone, and finally to a balanced conclusion. The criteria for Band 8 are fully met as all parts are covered thoroughly with well-developed ideas and no noticeable omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, followed by well-sequenced body paragraphs, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately without being overly mechanical, as seen in transition phrases like 'Consequently', 'Nevertheless', and 'Moreover'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different facets of the argument, transitioning smoothly from why laws are needed to why complementary measures are necessary. Referencing is clear and precise throughout the text, maintaining seamless cohesion that aligns strongly with the Band 8 descriptor.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student exhibits a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic context. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and naturally, such as 'legally enforceable measures', 'deposit-return schemes', 'residual waste', and 'deeply ingrained social norm'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, though there are occasional minor slips in stylistic appropriateness, but communication is never impeded. The writer successfully employs precise terms related to environmental policy, reflecting a sophisticated control of vocabulary that comfortably satisfies the requirements for Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing complex constructions such as conditional meanings ('If households are expected to recycle...'), participial phrases ('By imposing fines...'), and multi-clause subordinate sentences. Punctuation is handled with precision. Only very occasional, non-systematic errors occur, which do not disrupt the flow or meaning of the text. This control over a diverse grammatical repertoire places the essay firmly within the Band 8 descriptor range.

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