Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-20

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 6.5)

As it is a proven fact that plastic packaging, also including both plastic bags and bottles, is harmful for our environment, its use is still prevalent in our daily life. This essay will cover how the plastic damages our environment, and what actions can be taken to control it at macro level by governments, and at the micro level by individuals.

Firstly, unlike other natural living beings, plastic is dangerous for our environment because its micro particles never die biologically. For example, in the water; its particles keep the chemical aspects intact even after a considerable time. Therefore it impacts the sea and the river life, and in a recent study, elements of plastic have been observed in fish and other water creatures. Furthermore, plastic particles also reduce the land fertility as its particles do not decompose within the land and thereby impacts the land fertility to grow crops and vegetables. Plastic has also been observed impacting the micro bio life of soil which is considered a life-line of our soil's fertility.

Governments and individual can take multiple measures to control widespread use of plastic. Governments can impose higher taxes on plastic packaging; this would help consumers and production houses to consider alternative environment friendly options. Moreover, governments can subsidies the use of degradable packaging, which is proven to be less harmful for the soil and water, as it components get decomposed through natural bacterial cycle.

Individuals can also help to combat this issue by not using plastic packaging and bags in their daily life. For instance, a consumer in supermarket can carry his goods in his environment-friendly container, instead of readily-available plastic bag. Although this is relatively difficult in comparison with the readily available use of plastic, but a little unease now can help to handover a safer and hygienic environment to next generation.

In conclusion, while plastic is damaging our environment across multiple areas, including water and soil as explained above, some precautionary measures taken at governments and public level can help maintain our environment to not get damaged further.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by identifying the environmental damage caused by plastic (marine life contamination, soil fertility reduction, and microbial disruption) and outlining actionable solutions for both governments and individuals. The writer maintains a clear position throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and well supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as the mention of micro-particles in water creatures and consumer habits at supermarkets. The overall development fits comfortably within the Band 7 descriptors, as all parts of the prompt are addressed with clear reasoning and appropriate elaboration, avoiding over-generalisation while thoroughly exploring the specified sub-questions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are grouped logically into paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs dedicated to distinct points (environmental damage, government solutions, individual solutions), and a clear conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader, such as 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', and 'Moreover', though referencing is occasionally slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the essay flows smoothly from one idea to the next. This performance aligns well with the criteria for Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some precision and flexibility. Less common items such as 'prevalent', 'micro particles', 'decompose', and 'environment-friendly' are employed effectively. There are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'governments can subsidies the use' (should be 'subsidise') and 'impacts the land fertility' instead of 'affects'. However, these errors do not impede communication, and the vocabulary used is adequate to convey complex ideas clearly, supporting a Band 6.5 or solid Band 7 rating.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Complex structures are attempted with varying degrees of success, such as in the sentence 'Although this is relatively difficult in comparison with the readily available use of plastic, but a little unease now can help...' where the inclusion of 'but' alongside 'Although' creates a minor structural redundancy. There are occasional mechanical or grammatical errors, such as 'Governments and individual can take' (missing plural 'individuals') and 'its components get decomposed'. Punctuation and sentence structures generally allow the message to come across clearly, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7 profile.

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

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