Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Many people are of the opinion that recycling domestic trash should be happening on a larger scale. To make this happen, they advise the authorities to look into law-backed enforcement from the government. I believe that extreme laws and matching punishments are needed to ensure that people recycle their waste. This is because the likelihood of people increasing recycling rate is heavily dependent on their innate need to comply with laws.

Research has shown that without law and order, the world will be in a state of anarchy; humans often find themselves being more obedient when they fear laws and getting in trouble. A law stating that each house's waste will be tracked, heay fines imposed and arrests will be made to disobedient citizens will prove to people that waste recycling is a serious matter.

The reminder that they will be punished for not getting in line, more often than not, compels them to obey and do the right thing. In 2019, Lagos State was as clean as a whistle because the government had punished citizens caught littering. When the government changed and laws were relaxed, dirt floooded the streets again.

However, the presence of extreme laws and consequences could potentially encourage defiance. Studies have revealed that people are born stubborn and any chance to flagrantly flout rules is embraced by many. Thus, extreme laws could rather have the opposite effect rather than what was intended. Besides, it could be argued that harsh laws are a violation of human rights.

While it is good to mandate citizens to recycle with extreme laws, many may simply refuse to comply. The government of each country has to meet with its citizens to find a middle ground where everybody agrees to do the right thing with regards to recycling.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear: you support legal enforcement, while acknowledging that severe penalties may provoke resistance. The response addresses the question and gives relevant support, particularly the Lagos example about cleanliness improving when littering was punished. However, the argument is not fully developed in places. The claim that people are “innately” inclined to obey laws is broad, and the reference to research is not explained or sourced. The counterargument about defiance and human rights is also introduced but not explored, and the conclusion shifts toward finding a “middle ground” without clarifying what that would involve. To strengthen the response, explain what proportionate requirements or practical measures could make recycling effective, and connect each example more directly to household recycling.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a recognisable structure: it introduces a position, develops enforcement, considers a counterargument, and concludes with a recommendation. Paragraphing generally helps the reader follow this progression, and transitions such as “However” and “Besides” signal a change in direction. Some links between ideas are less clear or feel mechanical. For example, “The reminder that they will be punished” does not clearly identify who “they” refers to, and the Lagos discussion concerns littering rather than recycling, so its connection to the main argument needs to be made explicit. The final paragraph also repeats the case for laws before introducing compromise. More precise referencing and clearer links between claims, examples, and the conclusion would make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary and attempt some less common expressions, including “law-backed enforcement,” “flagrantly flout rules,” and “middle ground.” These choices help convey your position, although some are imprecise or too informal for an academic essay. “As clean as a whistle” is conversational, while “dirt flooded the streets” is an awkward way to describe a rise in litter. There are also spelling errors in “heay” and “floooded,” and “recycling rate” would be more natural as “recycling rates.” Aim for precise, neutral wording and check spelling carefully. A wider range of accurate collocations would help you express the argument more naturally and flexibly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response includes both straightforward sentences and more complex forms, such as “While it is good to mandate citizens to recycle with extreme laws, many may simply refuse to comply.” Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, but some grammatical choices are inaccurate or awkward. In “A law stating that each house's waste will be tracked, heay fines imposed and arrests will be made,” the list does not maintain a clear parallel structure; for example, use “that fines will be imposed.” The phrase “the likelihood of people increasing recycling rate” also needs a clearer grammatical construction, such as “the likelihood that people will increase their recycling rates.” Review parallel structures, clause construction, and article and plural use. Greater consistency and accuracy across complex sentences would improve control.

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