Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27

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 5.5)

It is undeniable that using of plastic material things are very bad for our people health and the children. In this regard, plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment. This essay will be outlined not only the causes of this notion but also many solutions to mitigate this issue in forthcoming fragments with logical conclusion.

To commence with, growing population of people in asian countries lead to increase in birth rate as well as pollution of plastic related things. People use and throw plastic bottles, on a road side or near by any street areas, rather than putting in a dustbin. Nowadays, people as well as children also eat foods wrapped in plastic materials like plastic paper foil and ready to eat products available in market like frozen ice-creams, pizza boxes, chips packet and other related things. These plastic bags and packets are made up of harmful chemicals which will effect our immune system also. Also throwing of plastic bags or bottles on roads leads to increase in pollution and declined in maintaining of social biodiversity. It is difficult for the survival for animals and as well as human beings. Creates a bad bad air quality and less oxygen from plants. For instance, In Germany, there is a rule that planting of tress is essential for teenage children in their school and in their homes for maintaining the ecosystem.

However, there is lot of problems which can be solved by taking serious actions. By planting of trees and plants in streets and in our homes for clean environment. Usage of plastic related materials in carrying of goods or services will be reduced instead use jute bags which is eco-friendly to use. Reduced the usage of plastic cover food items like frozen food and only use of fresh made food available in home or in market. For example, Government also had made some plans like generating social campaigns, rally, and social gatherings among people and children for not using of any plastic related things.

To conclude, although there are are several reasons of this statement such as banning of plastic materials among teenagers, installed dustbins on streets and marketplaces, high penalty and fines should be generated for not maintaining the rules made by government, helps in grow and develop sustainable environment. Also public can take some serious relevant action to solve this matter.

AI examiner evaluation

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 inconsistent. While you mention health impacts and pollution, some points, such as the reference to Germany and tree planting, are not clearly linked to the core issue of plastic waste. The solutions provided are somewhat repetitive and lack depth. To improve, ensure each paragraph focuses on a single, well-explained idea that directly answers the specific question asked. The conclusion introduces new points like 'banning' and 'fines' that were not discussed in the body paragraphs, which affects the overall coherence of your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is often hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. While you use some cohesive devices like 'To commence with' and 'However', they are sometimes used incorrectly or feel mechanical. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the second paragraph where the transition between plastic pollution and the example of Germany is abrupt. To achieve a higher score, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence flows naturally from the previous one, maintaining a clear focus on the topic throughout the paragraph.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is often repetitive and lacks precision. Phrases like 'plastic material things' and 'plastic related things' are imprecise. There are also some errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'declined in maintaining of social biodiversity' and 'effect our immune system' (should be 'affect'). To improve, try to use more specific terminology related to environmental science and avoid repeating the same basic words. Expanding your range of collocations will help you express your ideas with greater clarity and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede readability. Issues include incorrect verb forms ('using of plastic', 'planting of trees'), subject-verb agreement errors, and missing articles. For example, 'It is difficult for the survival for animals and as well as human beings' is grammatically awkward. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like article usage and prepositional phrases.

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