Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-07
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 4.0)
In todays fast paced many people are talking about[introduce the topic]this essay will look at all the important aspects. of it and i will discuss it with explanation to prove my points.
BP1
Firstly the main reason behind this topic is[present the first main point]by applying this concept it will surely help society and common people. for axample according to tha new article by times of India.it helped more than 60% of people.
BP2
Moreover; the second most important reason is[introduce the second main point]for example to explain this point additionally. the given reason shows why this point is significant.
BP3
However' some people think opposite to this opinion. but i am still in the favour and explain. why this is not the whole story.it is most important to consider different views.
Conclusion
To sum it up the topic is most important as shown by the points discussed. its clear that the given arguments are important. going forward people must follow this because it will benefit people.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response fails to address the prompt effectively. It uses placeholders like '[introduce the topic]' and '[present the first main point]' rather than actually discussing the environmental damage caused by plastic or proposing solutions. Because the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum (167 words) and lacks substantive content, it does not fulfill the requirements of the task. The ideas are not developed; instead, the writer provides a template with structural labels. To improve, you must write original content that directly answers the specific questions asked in the prompt, providing detailed reasons and relevant examples.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the content within them is incoherent because it relies on meta-commentary and placeholders rather than logical arguments. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and repetitive way, such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'However', but they do not connect meaningful ideas. The lack of a clear progression of thought makes the text difficult to follow. To improve, focus on developing a single, clear idea per paragraph and using transition words to link sentences naturally rather than using them as structural labels.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary is extremely limited and repetitive. The essay relies on generic phrases such as 'important aspects', 'main reason', and 'given reason', which do not demonstrate the range required for a higher band score. There is no attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary related to the environment, pollution, or government policy. To improve, you should learn and incorporate specific terminology related to environmental issues, such as 'non-biodegradable', 'marine ecosystems', 'legislative measures', or 'sustainable alternatives', and avoid using generic filler phrases.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response contains frequent errors in punctuation and sentence structure. There are missing capital letters at the start of sentences, incorrect use of semicolons and apostrophes (e.g., 'Moreover;'), and run-on sentences. The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, error-prone sentences. There is no evidence of complex sentence structures. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and practice correct punctuation, particularly the use of periods to separate distinct thoughts.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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