Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-27

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 7.0)

Products made from plastic such as bags, bottles and packaging are bad for the environment. Drainage blockage and overflooding are major damages caused by plastic products in the environment. However, these issues can be counteracted by authorities and individuals if some preventive measures such as recycling policies can be put in place.

First and foremost, one of the major negative effects of plastic material is drainage blockage which occurs when it is littered around in the environment. As a result of this, it piles up in strategic areas most especially during the rainy season, leading to obstruction and blockage of water-flow. In addition, it could lead to overflooding due to the denied water inflow in designated locations. For instance, recent environmental statistics indicate that most environmental floods are caused by blockage in canals and roadside gutters as a result of plastic products.

However, the introduction of certain policies by the government such as recycling and proper enforcement on individuals can solve this disastrous problem. When the authorities create proper public awareness on the importance of recycling waste plastic products in the appropriate way as well as providing materials such as public waste bins at every strategic location in the city, the people develop a sense of responsibility by abiding. Through the government efforts, the citizens also contribute to solving the problem by improvising possible recycling methods to achieve a clean and safer environment. Result shows that places where waste products are properly recycled tend to be free from environmental disasters.

In conclusion, plastic products pose threats to the environment through disasters which can be controlled when preventive measures are adequately put in place by the people in power as well as with the cooperation of the masses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying environmental damage (drainage blockage and flooding) and proposing solutions for both governments and individuals. The ideas are relevant and clearly presented. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited; for instance, the discussion on individual responsibility could be more detailed beyond just 'abiding' by government rules. The position is clear throughout, and the structure follows a logical path. To reach a higher band, you should aim to provide more specific, nuanced examples of how individuals can take action, rather than relying on general statements about 'improvising' methods.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'In addition', and 'However' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. Overall, the essay demonstrates a coherent structure that supports the reader's understanding of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of ideas. You have used some topic-specific terms like 'drainage blockage', 'environmental statistics', and 'preventive measures'. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat restricted, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. For example, instead of 'bad for the environment', you could use 'detrimental to the ecosystem'. The word choice is generally accurate, and there are no significant spelling errors that impede meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'When the authorities create proper public awareness... the people develop a sense of responsibility'. While there are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'most especially' (which is slightly redundant) and 'Result shows' (which should be 'Results show'), these errors do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally correct, and the sentence variety is sufficient for this level. To achieve a higher score, ensure consistent subject-verb agreement and aim for more varied complex structures.

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