Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-09

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.

What damage does plastic do to the environment?

What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Plastics containing materials are very harmful for the ecosystem as well as wildlife. But with proper measures, can be controlled because plastics contains substance which not only affects the environment but also has detrimental effects on living organisms. There are several steps where this problem could be solved. In this essay, I will explain the negative consequences of plastics and then proposed some solutions.

To begin with, many shopping malls nowadays restrict people to not bring plastics consisting thing as it has negative impacts on the environment. People often throw plastics on the roads which severely damage the forestation as well as the ecosystem. For example, if plastics bottles are thrown in the ocean, then what happens is that marine animals who usually survive in ocean they get badly affected because of plastics bottles. As it releases chemicals which has deleterious effects on living things.

Moreover, governments should take strict actions against those who consume plastic materials in their daily routine. Furthermore, individuals should take the responsibility and do learn how to properly disposed off the plastics. For instance, if governments put stringent actions against those ones who throw empty bottles on the road. Then next time that person will be careful enough to make attempt of such thing. Therefore, in this manner individuals will become responsible citizens of the society by leading towards a balanced approach in the society.

In conclusion, consumption of plastics bring very negative effects on the society, but will proper measures we can control in a very positive way. Consequently, governments as well as individuals take good care of ecosystem by focusing on their roles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the prompt and give a relevant example of plastic bottles harming marine animals. The response also proposes action by governments and individuals, so the main task is covered. However, the explanation of environmental damage is narrow: littering and chemical effects are mentioned, but other consequences, such as animals becoming entangled or plastic persisting in habitats, are not developed. The solutions are also general. For example, “strict actions” and learning to dispose of plastic properly need clearer detail about what measures would be taken and how they would help. Your position is understandable, but the ideas remain under-developed; explain each effect and solution with a specific cause-and-result link.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph on environmental harm, a paragraph on solutions, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Moreover,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the main stages. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. The opening shifts from the problem to solutions before the essay’s focus is fully established, and “For instance” introduces an example whose link to the proposed government action is not fully explained. Repetition of “society” and “individuals” also makes the progression less smooth. Use clearer links between each claim and its explanation, and make sure pronouns such as “that person” have an unmistakable reference.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “ecosystem,” “marine animals,” “chemicals,” and “stringent,” and you attempt more formal expressions such as “deleterious effects.” This gives you a useful foundation for discussing the issue. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “plastics containing materials,” “forestation,” “consume plastic materials,” and “do learn how to properly disposed off.” The repeated use of “plastics” and “negative effects” also limits precision. Choose natural phrases such as “plastic products,” “deforestation,” and “use plastic in their daily lives,” and use more specific terms for environmental damage. This would make your meaning clearer and your vocabulary more flexible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including conditional structures such as “if plastic bottles are thrown in the ocean” and clauses beginning with “because.” The overall meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in sentence construction and agreement occur in several places. For example, “But with proper measures, can be controlled” has no clear subject, while “plastics contains” and “chemicals which has” show subject–verb agreement problems. The sentence beginning “For example, if governments put…” is left as a conditional without a complete main clause. There are also errors in verb forms and articles, as in “how to properly disposed off.” Practise complete conditional sentences and check agreement and verb patterns when editing.

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