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 research studies have proved that it does not biodegrade easily and releases toxins into the ecosystem, authorities and the public can significantly reduce the havoc 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 take 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 the use of reusable bottles 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, as change in perspective is the need of the hour.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You clearly identify the environmental damage caused by plastic, specifically mentioning microplastics, chemical leaching, and the impact on marine life. Furthermore, you provide actionable solutions for both governments and individuals. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-supported with relevant examples, such as the 400-year breakdown period for plastic bottles. To reach a higher band, you could further develop the 'government' solutions by discussing specific policy types, such as taxation or circular economy incentives, rather than just a general ban, which would add more depth to your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the problem and the solution is smooth. You make good use of cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Consequently', and 'In addition'. However, some transitions feel slightly formulaic. To improve, try to vary the way you link sentences to make the flow feel more natural and less mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'detrimental', 'carcinogenic', 'mitigate', and 'flora and fauna' appropriately. Your word choice is generally precise and contributes to a formal tone. There are no significant spelling errors. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions that sound natural in an academic context. For example, instead of 'plastic overload', you could use 'plastic proliferation' or 'the ubiquity of plastic'. Overall, your lexical range is sufficient to convey your ideas with clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is solid. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'the plastic bottles thrown in the sea take over 400 years before breaking down', where a more precise structure might be 'the breakdown of plastic bottles discarded in the ocean takes over 400 years'. Your use of complex sentences, such as 'While many research studies have proved that it does not biodegrade easily...', shows good grammatical control. To improve, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and article usage remain consistent throughout longer, more complex sentences.

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