Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-05

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 6.0)

In this contemporary era, the usage of plastic has reduced at some levels. It is believed that the utilization of plastic items, like plastic bags, bottles and containers is not good for the environment. In this essay I will discuss the disadvantages of using plastic for the climate as well as discuss the measures that can be done by citizens and governments to protect the environment in the upcoming paragraphs.

Plastic spread carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because it has methane gas which spreads in the air and creates carbon emissions which spreads in the environment and results in global warming because of that there are floods, wildfires and other damages to the nature. In addition it’s not only bad for the planet but also for the humans because when human inhales carbon dioxide they feel difficulty in breathing and cause risky diseases.

However, there are some measures that can be taken by the society to protect the environment. People can reduce the use of plastic bags for example, if they have already a plastic bag at their home they can reuse it, instead of buying new one. Moreover, if individuals start using glass or clay utensils at events rather than using plastic containers it can be helpful for the climate.

Furthermore, if governments make proper rules and regulations and banned the use of plastic in their areas, also, there are bins in the streets provided by the state then people will not throw their plastic garbage on streets it is also useful in reducing environmental pollution. Moving on, campaigns and camps can assist the government if they provide education about the use and risks of plastic to the folks they become aware about it.

In conclusion, although the utilization of plastic is hazardous to the environment but there are number of ways by which individuals and government can stop this damage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying environmental damage and suggesting solutions for both governments and individuals. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the explanation of how plastic causes global warming is scientifically inaccurate and lacks depth. While the essay covers the required points, the arguments are not fully extended or supported with sophisticated reasoning. The position is clear, but the overall analysis remains at a basic level, which prevents it from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on providing more precise explanations and concrete, well-reasoned examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. There is a basic progression of ideas from the problem to the solutions. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In addition', 'However', and 'Furthermore', but some transitions feel mechanical or slightly repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, though the connection between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the essay follows a standard structure. To reach a higher band, aim for more sophisticated linking words and ensure that the flow between sentences is more natural rather than relying on simple, formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'plastic', 'environment', and 'use'. While the student attempts to use some topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., 'carbon emissions', 'global warming', 'hazardous'), the collocations are sometimes awkward, such as 'Plastic spread carbon dioxide' or 'damages to the nature'. The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but there is little evidence of less common or idiomatic language. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise verbs and academic collocations would significantly improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Plastic spread', 'it has methane gas which spreads') and article usage. Some sentences are slightly disjointed due to punctuation errors or awkward phrasing. While the errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and refining the use of complex sentences to ensure they are error-free.

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

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