Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-28

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 7.5)

IELTS Essay: Laws and Recycling

Some people argue that the amount of household waste being recycled is insufficient and that governments should make recycling compulsory by law. While legislation can play an important role in increasing recycling rates, I believe that it should be combined with education, financial incentives and convenient recycling facilities.

There are several reasons why laws can be effective in encouraging people to recycle. Firstly, many individuals do not recycle simply because they are unwilling to make the extra effort. If governments require households to separate recyclable materials from general waste, people are more likely to develop this habit. In addition, legal requirements can be supported by penalties for repeated non-compliance, which can discourage people from ignoring recycling rules. For example, some cities require residents to separate paper, plastic, glass and organic waste into different containers and may impose fines when these rules are deliberately ignored. Such measures can significantly increase participation.

However, laws alone are unlikely to solve the problem. One major reason is that people need access to appropriate recycling facilities. If recycling bins are unavailable or collection services are unreliable, even those who want to recycle may be unable to do so. Governments therefore need to invest in convenient collection systems and recycling centres. Public education is also important because people may not know which materials can be recycled or how to dispose of them correctly. Schools, advertisements and community programmes can help people understand the environmental consequences of excessive waste and encourage voluntary participation.

Financial incentives could also complement legislation. For instance, governments could reduce waste-collection charges for households that recycle more, or introduce deposit-refund schemes for bottles and cans. These approaches give people a practical reason to change their behaviour rather than relying entirely on punishment.

In conclusion, laws can be an effective way of increasing household recycling, particularly when they are accompanied by penalties for persistent non-compliance. Nevertheless, legislation should not be regarded as the only solution. Convenient facilities, public education and financial incentives are also necessary to create long-term recycling habits and reduce household waste.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring the extent to which laws are needed to make people recycle. The writer maintains a clear position throughout, stating that while legislation is useful, it must be combined with education, infrastructure, and financial incentives. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as separating specific materials and deposit-refund schemes. The arguments are logical and directly answer the prompt without any digressions. The response satisfies all criteria for a Band 8 by covering all parts well and providing fully developed, well-supported ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the introduction of the dual perspective, moving on to the benefits of laws, counterbalancing with the need for facilities and education, introducing financial incentives, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices are used appropriately without being mechanical, for example, 'There are several reasons why...', 'However, laws alone...', and 'For instance'. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately to structure the flow of arguments. Referencing throughout the text is clear and precise, ensuring the reader can easily follow the progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Less common lexical items are used skillfully and naturally, such as 'insufficient', 'compulsory', 'legislation', 'non-compliance', 'environmental consequences', and 'deposit-refund schemes'. Word choice and collocations are generally very accurate, with only rare minor instances of phrasing that could be polished. Spelling and word formation are flawless throughout the entire response. The range of vocabulary used allows the writer to convey precise meanings and maintain an appropriate academic register.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a wide range of structures with a high degree of grammatical accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, utilizing complex sentence forms naturally, such as concessive clauses ('While legislation can play...') and conditional structures ('If recycling bins are unavailable...'). Punctuation is handled with precision. There are only very occasional minor structural limitations or awkwardness, but these never impede communication or strain the reader. The control over complex grammar is strong, consistent, and well-maintained throughout the entire piece of writing.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.