Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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 4.0)

Nowadays, recycling is one of the major problem which world is facing. Plastic contributes as a major part in filling landfills as it is a non biodigradable waste. There are many devastating effects which plastic can leave on environment. I will be mentioning problems and solutions for this matter in the upcoming paragraphs.

To begin with, a plastic can be on earth for decades because of its non biodegradable characteristic it stay on earth without mixing into soil for years as a result causing space issues

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0

The response is significantly under the required word count of 250 words, reaching only 86 words. Consequently, the task is not fully addressed. While the introduction attempts to outline the scope of the essay, the body paragraph is extremely brief and fails to provide a comprehensive discussion of the environmental damage or the necessary solutions from governments and individuals. The ideas are severely underdeveloped, and the response stops abruptly before addressing the majority of the prompt's requirements. To improve, you must expand on each point with specific examples and detailed explanations to meet the minimum length and depth requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response is too short to demonstrate effective paragraphing or a logical progression of ideas. While there is a basic attempt at an introduction and a transition phrase ('To begin with'), the lack of a complete essay structure makes it difficult to assess coherence. The connection between sentences is rudimentary, and the abrupt ending prevents the development of a cohesive argument. To achieve a higher score, you need to structure your response into clear paragraphs, each with a topic sentence, supporting evidence, and a concluding thought, using a wider range of cohesive devices to link your ideas smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive. There are noticeable spelling errors, such as 'biodigradable' (biodegradable), and grammatical inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'Plastic contributes as a major part'. The range of vocabulary is limited, which restricts the ability to discuss the topic with precision. To improve, focus on learning topic-specific collocations related to environmental issues and ensure you check your spelling. Expanding your vocabulary to include more academic or formal terms will help you express your ideas more clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect clarity. For example, 'recycling is one of the major problem' should be 'problems', and 'plastic can be on earth' is an awkward phrasing. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with the missing full stops at the end of sentences. The grammatical control is weak, with frequent errors in subject-verb agreement and sentence construction. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of articles before attempting more complex grammatical forms.

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