Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-02

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 7.0)

It is undeniable that plastic products, such as bags, bottles, and other packaging, are detrimental to the environment. Admittedly, plastic harms the environment by severely harming aquatic species and increasing soil degradation. However, governments can reduce plastic production, while people can reduce their consumption to tackle these issues.

One main reason is that it imbalances the environmental system by harming species that live in oceans because these species consume it unintentionally. Since plastic never decomposes, it floats in ocean or river water for several years. To illustrate, these floating objects create a sense of confusion among fish and other animals, attracting them to consume it. As a result, they lose their life and disturb the food chain of others who depend upon them. Additionally, they do not decompose in soil either, which damages the soil quality. This is largely because they do not leave space for plants and trees to grow, which improve the fertility of soil.

The main measure that states can take is to reduce the production of products made using plastics. Given that governments can make stringent policies for factories to manufacture limited plastic items and should use reliable materials that can either be recycled or decompose easily, states may not have to find ways to decompose them. At the same time, consumers may also need to reduce their dependency on plastics because if they use them less, manufacturers may manufacture them less. For example, a buyer can purchase a water bottle that comes in glass rather than plastic. When the manufacturing of plastic is reduced, it may not harm the environment.

In conclusion, plastics are harming the environment, but with the introduction of rules and regulations and also with the support of the public, the use of plastic may be reduced, which may overcome these problems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt directly, covering both environmental damage and potential solutions for governments and individuals. The position is clear throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported, such as explaining how plastic ingestion harms marine life and disrupts the food chain, and detailing governmental manufacturing policies alongside individual consumer choices. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalise or lean on repetitive explanations in places, such as reiterating that plastic does not decompose. To move towards higher bands, the discussion could benefit from even more fully developed, distinct examples rather than broad assertions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, with an identifiable introduction, body paragraphs addressing specific aspects of the task, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used quite flexibly, seen in transitional phrases such as 'One main reason is that', 'To illustrate', and 'At the same time'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each main body paragraph dedicated to a distinct theme—the first focusing on environmental damage and the second on solutions. Referencing is generally clear, though minor improvements in the variety of cohesive transitions would elevate the flow further.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, providing a sufficient range for some flexibility and precision. The writer successfully attempts less common items and subject-specific terms with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'detrimental to the environment', 'soil degradation', and 'stringent policies'. There are occasional errors in word choice and phrasing, such as writing 'imbalances the environmental system' or 'create a sense of confusion among fish', which reveal slight awkwardness in natural collocation. However, these minor lexical inaccuracies do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the writer should employ a wider range of sophisticated, less common vocabulary with more native-like precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures and frequent error-free sentences. The writer maintains solid control over grammar and punctuation, successfully deploying complex clauses such as 'Given that governments can make stringent policies...' and 'because if they use them less...'. There are a few minor persistent errors, such as article usage and pluralisation slips (e.g., 'float in ocean or river water' missing articles). However, these do not impede communication. Punctuation is handled well throughout. To achieve a higher level, the response would need to feature a wider variety of sophisticated syntactic structures with near-total absence of minor slip-ups.

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

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