Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-25

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 7.5)

Plastic products such as bags, bottles and packaging are widely used because they are cheap and convenient. However, plastic waste has become a serious environmental problem. It damages land and oceans, harms animals and can remain in nature for many years. Both governments and individuals can take action to reduce this problem.

One major problem with plastic is that it does not break down easily. Plastic bags and bottles can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. As a result, large amounts of plastic waste collect in rivers, oceans and public places. This can seriously harm wildlife because animals may eat plastic or become trapped in it. For example, sea turtles and fish can mistake plastic for food, which may cause injury or death. In addition, burning plastic can release harmful chemicals and increase air pollution.

Governments can play an important role in solving this issue. They can introduce laws to reduce single-use plastic and encourage companies to use environmentally friendly packaging. Governments can also improve recycling systems and place more recycling bins in public areas. Another useful step would be to charge customers for plastic bags, which can encourage people to bring reusable bags when shopping.

Individuals also have a responsibility to reduce plastic waste. People can use reusable shopping bags, water bottles and food containers instead of disposable products. They should also recycle plastic correctly and avoid buying products with unnecessary packaging. For example, carrying a reusable bottle every day can significantly reduce the number of plastic bottles a person uses each year.

In conclusion, plastic causes serious damage to the environment because it creates long-lasting waste, harms animals and contributes to pollution. Governments should introduce stronger rules and improve recycling facilities, while individuals should reduce their use of disposable plastic. If both groups take action, plastic pollution can be greatly reduced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the environmental damage caused by plastic, such as the persistence of waste in ecosystems and the threat to wildlife. Furthermore, you provide distinct, actionable solutions for both governments and individuals. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of sea turtles and the suggestion of charging for plastic bags. The position is clear throughout the essay, and the structure follows a logical progression that directly answers the two-part question. To reach a higher band, you could further elaborate on the long-term consequences of microplastics or the specific economic challenges governments face when implementing these policies.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As a result', 'In addition', and 'Another useful step'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The flow of information is natural, and the transition between the problems and the solutions is handled well. The text is easy to follow, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'environmentally friendly packaging', 'single-use plastic', and 'disposable products' are used correctly and appropriately. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it remains somewhat functional and standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions related to environmental science or policy-making. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good command of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure in the conclusion: 'If both groups take action, plastic pollution can be greatly reduced.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is consistent. There are no significant grammatical errors that hinder the reader's understanding. To move toward a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or more varied subordinate clauses, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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