Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-23

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)

Plastic bags, bottles, and plastic packaging have become a common part of our lives. However, this will cause significant damage to the natural environment and human health. This essay will discuss the main problems caused by plastic use and some possible ways to overcome this issue.

The major problem is that plastic takes a very long time to break down, so it stays in the environment for a very long time. As a result, streets, parks, rivers, and oceans become polluted and dirty. This can make water unsafe for people and damage the natural environment. To overcome this problem, the government should reduce the use of plastic bags in all stores and provide them with recycling bins. Individuals should also use recyclable bags rather than plastic ones.

Additionally, the second problem is that plastic can harm animals. Animals eat plastic by mistake on finding for food because it looks similar. They might eat it and get sick or die. To reduce this issue, the government should make a strict rule on throwing away plastic in public places or improve the waste collection system. Even individuals also have to keep their surroundings clean to solve this problem.

Lastly, burning plastic causes serious problems in the ecosystem; it makes the air polluted and contributes to climate change. Factories burn plastic to get energy from it; it creates harmful gases and smoke in the atmosphere. These problems can cause air pollution and global warming. To minimize this, the government should encourage companies to use environmentally friendly materials and improve the recycling system.

Taking everything into consideration, plastic bags, bottles, and plastic packaging cause air pollution, land pollution, are harmful to animals, and contribute to climate change. The government should introduce strict rules and a better recycling system. Individuals also play a vital role in minimizing this problem by using recycling bags and keeping their surroundings clean. Working together can create a healthier and cleaner environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by identifying the environmental damage caused by plastic and offering solutions from both governmental and individual perspectives. In the second paragraph, the writer notes that 'plastic takes a very long time to break down' and proposes practical solutions such as reducing store bags and providing recycling bins. The subsequent paragraphs explore animal endangerment and air pollution caused by burning plastic, presenting viable solutions such as strict public disposal rules and promoting eco-friendly materials. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, demonstrating a clear position throughout. This performance satisfies the criteria for Band 7, as all parts of the task are addressed and supported with relevant, albeit somewhat general, ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each body paragraph follows a predictable and effective pattern: identifying a specific problem followed immediately by targeted solutions. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Additionally,' and 'Lastly,' to signal transitions between body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with distinct introduction and conclusion sections framing the core arguments. However, some cohesive referencing is slightly repetitive or mechanical, such as the frequent reliance on 'To overcome this problem' and 'to solve this problem' across paragraphs. Overall, the structural progression is logical and easy to follow, aligning closely with Band 6.5 or a solid Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common items such as 'environmentally friendly materials,' 'global warming,' and 'ecosystem.' Word choices are generally appropriate and communication is not impeded. However, there are a few minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward collocations, such as 'on finding for food' instead of 'in search of food' or 'while foraging,' and 'make a strict rule on throwing away' rather than 'enforce strict regulations regarding littering.' Despite these occasional slips, the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey precise meanings, fitting the Band 6.5 to Band 7 descriptor profile well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating reasonable control over basic syntax and punctuation. Examples of successful complex structures include 'As a result, streets, parks, rivers, and oceans become polluted and dirty.' and 'Factories burn plastic to get energy from it; it creates harmful gases and smoke in the atmosphere.' However, occasional grammatical errors persist, such as 'Even individuals also have to keep' (awkward phrasing) and minor prepositional issues like 'make a strict rule on throwing away.' These errors do not impede communication or strain the reader. Because there is a reasonable variety of structures with frequent error-free sentences, this performance warrants a Band 6.5.

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