Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-30
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 6.5)
Many individuals affirm that a surplus amount of domestic waste is not recycled and it can be tackled by the intoduction of strict laws by the government. In my opinion, although i do agree that strict laws can be beneficial to increase recycling, I do admit that creating awareness and educating the civilians can boost the practice.
The primary reason behind my agreement is that the introduction of strict laws can help the individuals to inculcate sustainable practices in their everyday lifestyle. To put it simply, by introducing strict legal laws and punishments, the civilians will feel responsible towards the environment and it will greatly help to recycle the amount of waste being produced at the domestic levels. For instance, Japan has imposed various laws on domestic waste segregation by alloting different days of week for different types of waste disposal which helps in waste segregation and recycling.
Despite the aforementioned arguments, it seems to me that awareness among citizens can be a contributing factor in increasing recycling of domestic waste. Civilians must be educated by conducting multiple workshops and campaigns about the ways to reducing and efficient recycling of the waste so that they can feel responsible towards the environment. Moreover, rewarding the citizens can be an efficient method to introduce sustainable practices in everyday life. For example, many countries reward the citizens with shopping coupons when the individuals put plastic bottles in the recycling machines. Hence, healthy practices can be introduced without the need of legal steps.
In conclusion, altough strict laws can be beneficial to increase recycling of domestic waste, I agree that sustainable practices can be introduced by educating the people and providing rewards.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, exploring both the necessity of government laws and alternative methods such as education and rewards. The writer takes a clear and consistent position throughout the essay, stating that while laws are beneficial, civic awareness and incentives are also crucial. Ideas are well-extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the waste segregation system in Japan and the use of recycling reward machines in various countries. The main arguments are adequately developed and directly answer the prompt question. However, to reach a higher band, the analysis could delve even deeper into the long-term implications of these approaches. Overall, the task is successfully and thoroughly addressed, earning a solid Band 7.0 for Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are structured coherently across four paragraphs, featuring a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs representing different facets of the argument, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, with transition phrases like 'The primary reason behind my agreement', 'Despite the aforementioned arguments', and 'In conclusion' guiding the reader through the text. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each main body paragraph focusing on a separate, central theme. Referential cohesion is generally clear, though occasional mechanical transitions prevent the essay from achieving the highest levels of cohesion. This performance fits the Band 7.0 descriptors well.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient lexical range to allow for some flexibility and precision in discussing environmental waste and recycling. Phrases such as 'sustainable practices', 'waste segregation', and 'civic awareness' show an awareness of appropriate academic and topical vocabulary. Less common lexical items are attempted with some success, though there are minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'intoduction' (spelling slip), 'alloting different days of week', and 'ways to reducing'. Despite these occasional errors and spelling mistakes, the vocabulary is adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding the reader, matching the requirements for Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and relative clauses, such as 'by introducing strict legal laws and punishments, the civilians will feel responsible towards the environment and it will greatly help...' However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and minor slips, including capitalization issues ('i'), minor punctuation omissions, and awkward prepositions or verb forms like 'ways to reducing'. While these errors do not impede overall communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the essay from reaching a Band 7.0, where frequent error-free complex sentences are required. The control of grammar is solid enough to securely merit a Band 6.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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