Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-26

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 6.5)

Some proponents argue that plastic items, like bags, bottles ,and packaging covers, are hazardous for the environment; as it does not only impact humans in a detrimental way but also affects marine animals negatively. These items will surge pervasive issues, like global warming, and the pollution level. This essay will elucidate how this pressing issues damage humans, and what could be done to eradicate it using relevant examples.

On the one side, the advantages of plastic items are beneficial for individuals, albeit it is indirectly harming them. Firstly, plastic is hard to decompose into the land due to its complex chemical structure; hence, according to the researchers, it takes more than 50 years to decompose, which will then start damaging land, causing land pollution. For example, according to Environment Canada, due to over-utilization of plastic products, soil productivity in Ontario has been drastically reduced. Secondly, the air pollution and the pollution are results of this damaging material. It does not only impact human health but also affects aquatic life in a negative way.

On the other side, government is the best pragmatic solution of this pressing issue; as, they can take strict steps to reduce the over-consumption of these products, eventually enhancing people's life. If residents avoid using plastic items, then it will eventually ameliorate their health and their surrounding environment. Moreover, authorities should use social media as a weapon, they can encourage people to stop using these products by showing virtual videos, eventually inspiring them to save the earth. For instance, American government has made their official Instagram page, in which they are motivating people by showing the disadvantages of plastic items.

To conclude, the pervasive issues, like the pollution and health issues, have been elevated due to over-utilization of plastic items, which is damaging both the people and the environment. Notwithstanding the benefits of government steps could be the pragmatic solution, I believe that it can not fully help unless people are not aware.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying environmental damage and suggesting solutions for both governments and individuals. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. The first body paragraph focuses on environmental damage but repeats the term 'pollution' without sufficient depth. The second body paragraph attempts to address solutions but relies on somewhat vague suggestions, such as 'using social media as a weapon'. While the position is clear, the supporting arguments could be more thoroughly extended with more specific, logical evidence. The introduction and conclusion are present, but the essay would benefit from a more balanced exploration of the two distinct parts of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. Cohesive devices are used throughout, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Moreover', and 'To conclude', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or forced, such as the opening of the second paragraph, 'On the one side, the advantages of plastic items are beneficial', which does not logically follow the prompt's focus on environmental damage. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the final sentence where the pronoun usage creates a slightly confusing double negative: 'unless people are not aware'. Overall, the progression of ideas is coherent, but the flow could be smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'hazardous', 'detrimental', 'pervasive', 'ameliorate', and 'pragmatic'. There are some instances of slightly awkward word choice or collocation, such as 'surge pervasive issues' (instead of 'cause' or 'lead to') and 'packaging covers'. The phrase 'virtual videos' is also redundant. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning clearly, it lacks the precision and natural collocation required for higher band scores. Spelling is generally accurate, and the vocabulary used is appropriate for the context of an environmental discussion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'as it does not only impact' (incorrect punctuation before 'as'), 'government is the best pragmatic solution' (missing article 'the'), and 'American government has made' (missing article 'the'). Some sentences are slightly clunky, such as 'the air pollution and the pollution are results of this damaging material'. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede the reader's understanding of the main points. A wider variety of error-free complex structures would be needed to reach a higher band.

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