Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-12

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 today's world, plastic pollution has become a widely discussed issue. Different people have different opinions regarding this matter because it affects individuals, families, organizations, and society in different ways. This essay will discuss the main aspects of the topic before presenting a balanced conclusion.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why reducing the use of plastic products is considered beneficial. Firstly, plastic waste can pollute oceans, rivers, and land because it takes a very long time to decompose. Secondly, plastic bags and bottles can seriously harm wildlife when animals consume them or become trapped in them. Moreover, this approach can improve overall performance, increase confidence, and create better opportunities in the future. For example, reducing single-use plastic can decrease the amount of waste entering oceans and protect marine animals. As a result, this approach can provide long-term advantages for both individuals and society.

On the other hand, some people believe that governments and individuals taking stronger action against plastic pollution offers better outcomes. They argue that governments can introduce strict regulations, encourage recycling, and limit the use of single-use plastics. Furthermore, individuals can use reusable bags and bottles and properly recycle plastic waste. In addition, this method can solve many practical problems and improve people's quality of life. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of this viewpoint often depends on individual circumstances.

In conclusion, both viewpoints have their own strengths. However, I believe that governments and individuals should work together to reduce plastic pollution because it provides greater overall benefits while addressing the challenges more effectively. Therefore, this approach should be encouraged for a better future, allowing people to enjoy both professional success and personal satisfaction.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing the environmental damage caused by plastic and proposing solutions for both governments and individuals. The position is clear throughout the essay and reinforced in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas contains some generic, boilerplate phrases that appear disconnected from the specific topic, such as 'moreover, this approach can improve overall performance, increase confidence, and create better opportunities in the future.' These stock phrases weaken the depth of task response because they sound like memorised templates rather than fully thought-out arguments about plastic pollution. Despite this slight intrusion of pre-prepared language, the core questions regarding damage and solutions are adequately answered with examples like marine animals and recycling.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is arranged coherently with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, fulfilling the fundamental requirements of paragraphing. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Firstly,' and 'Secondly' are used to structure the text. However, referencing and logical progression are occasionally faulty due to the inclusion of disjointed memorised sentences that disrupt the flow of ideas. For example, transitioning from wildlife harm to 'this approach can improve overall performance' creates a jarring shift in logic. Paragraphing is used sufficiently, but paragraph 3 awkwardly blends government and individual actions into a single section rather than separating them cleanly for optimal progression. Cohesion is therefore sometimes mechanical rather than completely natural.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully employing terms such as 'plastic pollution,' 'decompose,' 'single-use plastic,' and 'regulations.' There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some word choices and collocations feel unnatural or are mismatched with the specific context of environmental science, such as 'improve overall performance' or 'professional success and personal satisfaction.' Spelling and word formation are generally accurate throughout the response. The lexical range is sufficient to communicate the main points clearly, but frequent reliance on generalised stock phrases prevents it from achieving a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilising subordinate clauses effectively in sentences like 'This essay will discuss the main aspects of the topic before presenting a balanced conclusion.' Grammatical control is fairly consistent, with correct subject-verb agreement and appropriate tense usage for the most part. Punctuation is handled well, allowing the reader to follow the arguments easily. While there are minor stylistic awkwardnesses linked to the template-like phrases mentioned earlier, these do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are grammatically sound, placing the essay comfortably within the Band 6 or 7 range for grammatical accuracy.

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