Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-21

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 6.0)

Products made of plastic contributes enormously to the raising environmental pollution. It can not only harm the environment but it can also be toxic for livestock and marine animals. It's high time that we as a community take appropriate measures to reduce the consumption of plastic and replace its use with other degradable materials.

Due to the non-degradable property of plastic, it can be a huge threat to the environment. As it does not get degraded naturally, plastic is usually disposed of by burning or it is thrown into sea or rivers. Some countries get rid of plastic by burning it as well which can lead to air pollution. While in some countries plastic is gotten rid of by throwing it in rivers or seas which is hazardous for marine life. For example, you will find a number of plastic bottles and bags at sea shores, which is contributing to the extinction of whales and dolphins in most regions.

These things are greatly impacting the ecosystem. It is a responsibility on us as individuals and on the government to take necessary precautions to prevent this situation from escalating. We as individuals can make sure to recycle the plastic products and reduce their use, while governments should ban the manufacturing of plastic bags and implement strict rules to replace the plastic with some other material that is degradable. For Example, In many countries, plastic bags and straws are now replaced with paper straws and paper bags. This is a huge initiative in saving the ecosystem.

To sum that up, we should reduce the consumption of plastic made things, and prefer the other materials. We should reuse the already made products and governments should impose strict measures on factories to reduce the production of such materials.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying the environmental damage caused by plastic and suggesting solutions for both governments and individuals. The ideas are relevant and clearly presented. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, while you mention that plastic harms marine life, the explanation could be more detailed to reach a higher band. The position is clear throughout, and the structure follows a logical path from problem to solution. To improve, ensure that each point is supported by more specific evidence or deeper analysis rather than relying on general statements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, which helps the reader follow your argument. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Due to', 'For example', and 'To sum that up', to link ideas. However, the use of these devices is sometimes a bit mechanical or repetitive. The transition between sentences could be smoother to create a more natural flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'non-degradable', 'hazardous', 'extinction', and 'escalating'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'plastic made things' instead of 'plastic-based products' or 'plastic is gotten rid of' which is slightly informal. While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, the overall range is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing, such as the frequent use of 'plastic' and 'things'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('Products... contributes' should be 'contribute') and awkward phrasing ('plastic is gotten rid of'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. You show an attempt to use complex structures, but they are not always perfectly controlled. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and refining your use of passive voice to ensure it sounds more natural and grammatically accurate.

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

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