Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-06

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)

It is widely accepted that plastic in any form such as bags, bottles and packaging is detrimental to the environment. While many researches have proved that it does not biodegrade easily and releases toxins into ecosystem, authorities and the public can significantly reduce the issue by implementing strict guidelines and raising awareness.

To commence with, the damage plastic does to the fragile ecosystem is far beyond imagination. Not only does it take centuries for the plastic to dissolve which results in landfill and ocean clutter, it releases harmful chemicals and microplastics into the ecosystem which are considered highly carcinogenic. Consequently, it contaminates the global food chain and disrupts our flora and fauna. To exemplify, the plastic bottles thrown in the sea takes over 400 years before breaking down and once the breakdown starts it releases dangerous chemicals which cause death in marine animals.

The plausible solutions to mitigate this problem need collaborative efforts from both the government and the individuals. The authorities should establish a complete ban on the use of plastic and penalize the firms that do not comply with the guidelines. Furthermore, people need to understand the harm plastic creates in terms of environmental damage. Both state and organizations such as schools should create awareness among the public so that individuals are motivated to totally discontinue plastic use. In addition, they should adopt habits such as use of reusable pottles rather than plastic bottles to reduce the plastic overload.

In conclusion, although excessive plastic use causes ecosystem contamination and wildlife death, the damage can be avoided considerably if authorities impose strict laws and individuals use plastic in a responsible way.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying environmental damage and proposing solutions for both governments and individuals. The position is clear throughout. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of plastic bottles in the ocean and the suggestion of reusable alternatives. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be more nuanced; for instance, the suggestion of a 'complete ban' on all plastic is a broad generalization that could be balanced by discussing the practical challenges of such a policy. Overall, the task is well-covered.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Consequently', and 'In addition' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the problem from the solutions, contributing to a coherent overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally appropriate for the task. You demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific terms like 'biodegrade', 'carcinogenic', 'flora and fauna', and 'mitigate'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'pottles' (likely a typo for bottles) and 'researches' (which is an uncountable noun and should be 'research'). Despite these minor slips, the range is adequate to convey your ideas with precision and clarity, showing an attempt to use less common lexical items effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'if authorities impose...' and relative clauses. While there are some grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('plastic bottles... takes' should be 'take') and article usage ('the ecosystem' vs 'an ecosystem'), these do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are clear and error-free. To improve, focus on ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles to achieve a more polished, professional tone.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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