Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-23
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 5.0)
Well here I would really to talk about the plastic bags and packaging. Now days plastic has become threat to the surrounding specially to animals arounds us.
I would like to share my thought and focus about this plastic things is that, first of all it is harming animals and even shop keepers when we buy any food packets on any other stuff they give us a plastic bag which is not convenient for customers. Moreover if we see in India people use mostly plastic bags and packaging and then they throw the plastic garbage on the road then public places. Now what happens here is this plastic bags are eaten by cows buffalo and many more animal in which they get choked and die
However it even effects the milk which is given by the milk man, the milk is not fresh and has some kind if a weird smell . Specially in India they should band this plastic it can be helpful to the surrounding. As per my thought they should start giving things in paper bags and even the straw should be of paper it is very hygiene . In America and Europe countries only paper bags are being used.
So as my point of view specially in India government should completely stop plastic and focus on paper bags which will be very useful for all and can change the surrounding and help them to save life for all creatures and public. And in that way the country will get improved.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the environmental damage caused by plastic and potential solutions. However, the development of ideas is limited. The discussion on environmental damage is somewhat anecdotal, focusing heavily on the impact on animals in India, rather than a broader environmental perspective. The solutions provided are also quite narrow, focusing almost exclusively on switching to paper bags. To reach a higher band, you should provide more comprehensive arguments, such as the persistence of microplastics in oceans or the role of government legislation beyond just banning plastic, such as recycling infrastructure or corporate responsibility.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the structure is quite informal and lacks a clear, logical progression. While there are some attempts at cohesive devices like 'Moreover' and 'However', they are often used incorrectly or in a way that does not effectively link the ideas. The flow between sentences is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the argument. To improve, focus on using transition words more accurately and ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports the overall thesis.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'plastic things', 'any other stuff', and 'weird smell' are too informal for an IELTS essay. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'band this plastic' (should be 'ban') and 'surrounding' used incorrectly to mean 'environment'. To improve, you should aim to use more precise, academic vocabulary related to environmental issues, such as 'non-biodegradable', 'pollution', 'sustainability', and 'legislative measures'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('this plastic bags are eaten'), article usage ('in America and Europe countries'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation. While there is an attempt at complex structures, they are often faulty. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses, and proofreading for common errors like pluralization and missing articles.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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