Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-03

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)

It is irrefutable that the use of plastic items is increasing day by day, which is having a detrimental effect on the environment. In regards of this scenario, it is believed that plastic bags, plastic bottles, and packaging are detrimental to the environment. This approach consists of various demerits, and solutions will be provided in the subsequent paragraphs.

To begin with, there are various problems that are taking place by individuals; first and foremost is easy to carry. To elaborate further, nowadays people prefer to have thing which are convenient for them so that they can carry them anywhere they want. Because companies produce tiny things as a better choice for users, which harm the ecosystem drastically, as plastic thing can not decomposed for many years, which directly put impact on the environment.

Both the government and individuals can take some initiative to resolve this problem. Firstly, they can reduce the use of plastic bags and bottles and rely on glass bottles by carrying water in a steel bottle, and can carry cloth bags for use such as for groceries or shopping. Furthermore, the government should take strict action on the use of plastic bags and bottles and encourage to use ecofriendly begs.

To conclude, I would say that although there are various problems with this, the problem can be cured by taking the initiative from both the government and individuals by using other alternatives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the environmental damage caused by plastic and potential solutions. However, the development is limited. The explanation of environmental damage is vague, focusing on the convenience of plastic rather than the specific ecological consequences like marine pollution or microplastics. Furthermore, the response is under the 250-word minimum, which significantly impacts the depth of the argument. The ideas are presented but lack the necessary elaboration and supporting examples required for a higher band. To improve, you must expand on your points with specific evidence and ensure you meet the minimum word count to allow for full task development.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the flow between ideas is somewhat mechanical. While there is an attempt to use cohesive devices like 'To begin with' and 'Furthermore', the logical progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and a lack of sophisticated linking. The introduction is somewhat redundant, repeating the prompt's premise rather than setting up a clear thesis. The conclusion is also quite brief and does not effectively synthesise the points made. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that transitions smoothly into the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision needed for a higher score. You rely on basic terms like 'things', 'bad', and 'problems', which limits the sophistication of your writing. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'in regards of this scenario' and 'put impact on the environment'. While the meaning is clear, the lack of variety and occasional inaccuracies in word choice prevent a higher rating. To improve, try to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to environmental science and sustainability, and focus on using more precise verbs and adjectives.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'there are various problems that are taking place by individuals' and 'plastic thing can not decomposed'. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors is high enough to suggest a lack of control over more complex structures. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, particularly verb tenses and passive voice, before attempting more complex grammatical forms.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.