Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-21

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 5.5)

The waste that is produced by us in our homes plays a major role in polluting our surroundings if not managed well. Despite the invention of many waste management and recycling technologies, some people claim that most of our waste goes into our environment without being managed and recycled, causing severe damage to our natural environment. If we talk about some specific examples in particular, the grey and black water produced from our homes go straight into our canals and rivers without being filtered and recycled. This affects the ecosystems of the living orgarnisms in the water bodies as well as severe health problems caused to us humans. In my opinion, strict laws shall be passed and implemented by the government to make people recycle more of thier waste. In prior to that, public awareness sessions should be held at government level to make people realize the importance of recycling our waste. In addition to that, we should also contribute our efforts as much as we can on an individual level. A quote that supports this idea is that; "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". The government should work vigilantly to make sure that the waste coming out of our homes is being recycled properly and does not effect our surroundings by imposing laws such as making water filtration systems and waste management mandatory for every house. Those who do not abide by these laws shall be punished accordingly to create an example for others.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear: you support government laws, while also mentioning public awareness and individual effort. You give relevant examples, including mandatory water filtration and waste-management systems, and explain that penalties could encourage compliance. However, the response only partly addresses the specific issue of household recycling. Much of the discussion shifts to wastewater entering rivers and the broader effects of pollution, rather than explaining how laws would increase the sorting and recycling of ordinary household waste. The awareness and individual-responsibility points are introduced but not developed with reasons or examples. To strengthen the response, explain how a recycling law would work in practice and support your position with a specific example of its likely benefits or limitations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The ideas follow a generally understandable sequence: you introduce the environmental problem, state your position, and then suggest government action and public awareness. Linking phrases such as “In addition to that” and “Those who do not abide by these laws” help show relationships between points. However, the response is presented as one long paragraph, so the main stages of the argument are not clearly separated. Some connections are also mechanical, and the shift from household recycling to wastewater treatment is not sufficiently signposted. Organise the essay into distinct paragraphs for the introduction, reasons and examples, and conclusion. Within each paragraph, make the link between the claim and its supporting explanation explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “recycling technologies,” “ecosystems,” “filtration systems,” and “mandatory,” which helps communicate the subject. There is also an attempt to use more formal language. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “plays a major role in polluting our surroundings,” “In prior to that,” and “create an example for others.” Spelling errors in “orgarnisms,” “thier,” and “effect” (where “affect” is intended) also reduce accuracy. Some wording is repetitive, particularly references to waste, recycling, and the environment. Aim for precise collocations and check spelling; for example, distinguish wastewater treatment from recycling household materials, and use natural phrases such as “set a precedent” when describing deterrent penalties.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including a conditional phrase (“if not managed well”), a relative clause (“Those who do not abide by these laws”), and longer sentences explaining consequences. The overall meaning is usually understandable, but errors occur in several structures. For example, “the grey and black water … go” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “This affects … as well as severe health problems caused to us humans” is not a complete, well-formed parallel construction. The phrase “laws shall be passed” also uses an awkward modal form for expressing your recommendation. Punctuation around the quotation is inaccurate, and some long sentences would be clearer if divided. Practise agreement, parallel structures, and sentence boundaries while retaining your attempts at complex grammar.

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