Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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 often argued that the widespread use of of plastic bags, bottles and packaging is having a harmful impact on the environment. This essay will explain the main problems caused by plastic and suggest some practical solutions that can be taken by governments and individuals.

There are several ways in which plastic can negatively affect the environment. One main reason is that most plastic products are non-biodegradable and can take hundred of years to break down. As a result, a large amount of plastic waste ends up in landfills, rivers and oceans. For example, marine animals can mistake plastic bags and bottles for food, which can lead to serious injuries or even death. Moreover, plastic pollution can damage natural habitats and make water sources unsafe. Therefore, the uncontrolled use of plastic can have severe and long lasting consequences for the natural environment.

There are several measures that authorities and people can take to reduce this problem. One possible solution is that governments should impose strict restrictions on single use plastic products and encourage businesses to adopt biodegradable alternatives. For instance, authorities could charge customers for plastic bags and invest more money in recycling facilities. In addition, people should take responsibility by using reusable, bags, bottles and containers instead of disposable plastic items. As a result, if both governments and citizens make consistent efforts, the amount of plastic waste can be considerably reduced.

In conclusion, the excessive use of plastic causes serious environmental problems, particularly pollution and damage to wildfire. In my opinion, governments should implement stricter policies, while individuals should change their daily habits to reduce their dependence on plastic.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying environmental damage (non-biodegradability, harm to marine life) and proposing solutions (government regulation, individual responsibility). The position is clear throughout. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of marine animals mistaking plastic for food. To reach a higher band, the development could be more detailed; for instance, explaining how specific recycling facilities or government policies function would add depth. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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 'Moreover', 'For instance', and 'In addition' are used appropriately to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is sufficient and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. There are no significant issues with referencing or cohesion, making the text easy to read and follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. The student uses relevant topic-specific terms like 'non-biodegradable', 'landfills', and 'disposable plastic items'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would characterize a higher band. There are no major spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more varied synonyms to avoid repetition of words like 'plastic' and 'environment'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There are minor slips, such as 'take hundred of years' (should be 'hundreds') and a minor punctuation error with a comma in 'reusable, bags'. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede understanding. The control of complex structures is consistent, and the punctuation is generally handled well enough to support the flow of the text.

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