Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

In the current scenario, it is a common observation that along with many factors the environment is badly effecting by plastic items. Use of plastic on a large scale is creating a terrible damages to environments both on earth as well as water. It is the need of the age, serious steps must be taken on government as well as individual level to overcome this widespread problem.

Use of plastic is enhancing in almost every factor of every day life. Most of the companies prefer to sell their products in plastic packaging. Purpose behind that might be included to save the product to damage while delivering even to a far off location. Almost all fizzy drinks are sold in plastic bottles. If we visit some shop for grocery, here shopkeeper finds feasible to use plastic bags to handover our groceries. Even if we dine in some restaurant, the left over food is packed within a plastic packaging.

All these widely used plastic made packagings are playing a vital role in the environment destruction. After the use, these plastics straight go to the garbage or thrown away on some road or a playing ground. The most harmful impact of the plastic is it denies to decompose itself. Hence, it effects fertility of the soil, effecting the plant growth. If burnt, it releases the most toxic gases in the air causing air pollution. While throwing the plastic packages in the waters of river or lakes, it badly effects the sea life. As a number of documentaries are here to show up the disaster caused by the plastic materials. The most dangerous and unhygenic action is to reuse such bottles and packagingsby the locals, who try to sell the fake product with the logo of the companies printed or pasted on the packages.

In conclusion, the items to be used made up of palstic including bottles, bags and packaging are the main factor of environmental pollution. It is the dire need of the age, not only government have to take the serious steps while charging fine to use plastic bottles or bags. It must emphasize to introduce the paper bags or other substitutes. It is obligation of every individual as well to be careful in this regard not only for his safety but also for the coming generations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

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. While the environmental impact is discussed, the solutions section is less detailed and relies on general statements like 'take serious steps' or 'be careful'. To reach a higher band, you should provide more specific examples of government policies (e.g., plastic taxes or bans) and individual actions (e.g., using reusable containers or composting). The position is clear, but the depth of analysis could be improved to move beyond general observations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. There is a progression of ideas from the problem to the consequences and finally to the solutions. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'In the current scenario' or 'Purpose behind that might be included'. Some transitions between sentences feel abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow and coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, but there are frequent errors in word choice and collocation that occasionally hinder precision. For example, you use 'badly effecting' instead of 'badly affecting' and 'terrible damages' instead of 'terrible damage'. Phrases like 'denies to decompose' are non-standard; 'fails to decompose' or 'is non-biodegradable' would be more accurate. While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary, the inaccuracies in word form and collocation limit the score. Focusing on learning the correct word forms and common collocations will help improve your lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'shopkeeper finds'), incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'is enhancing' instead of 'is increasing'), and misuse of articles. Punctuation is generally functional, but there are some awkward phrasings that impact readability. While the meaning is usually clear, the frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. You should focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent verb tense usage.

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