Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-14

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)

Undoubtedly, plastic materials such as bottles, bags, packaging are degrading the environment. There are several problems which arises due to the excessive use of plastic such as pollution and unnecessary waste. However, this problem can be addressed by taking stringent actions by the authorities and educate people to reduce its use for a healthier ecosystem.

One of the pressing concerns is the pollution which is caused by burning plastic items. As plastic is non-biodegradable substance which needs to be burnt in order to eliminate it from the planet. Plastic releases plenty of harmful gasses to the atmosphere upon burning which pollutes the air and make it harmful for breathing. Eventually, higher percentage of toxins in the surrounding air give birth to diseases like asthma, lung problems and so on. Moreover, plastic bags and packaging products also contributes significantly to increasing garbage. Due to improper management of waste products, people tend to throw garbage on streets which then travel to fields, parks, forests, rivers and so on. This not only increases stress to collect it but also demands more manpower to treat it.

Conversely, the government and the public can work together in order to bring this problem under control. Firstly, the authorities can impose heavy taxes on the purchase of plastic items. This will encourage the individuals to shift their focus on other alternatives. Three years back this was evident in North America, due to increasing plastic waste the government imposed the rule to use paper based cups, straws and bags in restaurants and other stores. Additionally, the governing body must run campaigns to educate their citizens about the negatives of using plastic products. This can be done by advertisements from reowned personalities on social media or television. Moreover, the public should always throw waste in the garbage bins instead of throwing on road which can be easily treated by the responsible organizations.

In conclusion, it is an irrefutable fact that increasing plastic waste is causing an alarming situation in the world. Nevertheless, this situation can be resolved by the government and the individuals while working together responsibly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address both parts of the task and maintain a clear position that plastic causes environmental harm but coordinated action can reduce the problem. The discussion identifies air pollution from burning plastic and the spread of discarded waste, then proposes government taxes and public education alongside individual use of bins. These points are relevant and supported with explanation; the reference to restrictions on disposable items also gives a concrete example. To strengthen the response further, develop the environmental consequences more precisely: the effects on wildlife, waterways, or ecosystems are not explored, and the claim that plastic needs to be burnt to eliminate it is too broad. Explain how each proposed measure would work and support the example with clearer, more specific detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall progression: an introduction, a paragraph explaining harms, a paragraph presenting solutions, and a concise conclusion. Linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “Additionally,” and “In conclusion” help signal the movement between points, and the reader can follow the main argument. Some connections are less smooth or precise, however. “Conversely” does not express a contrast between the harms and the solutions as clearly as “To address these problems” would. The waste-management discussion also moves from littering to the burden of collection without fully explaining the link. Use cohesive devices selectively and make references such as “This” or “it” unmistakably point to the relevant measure or problem.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “non-biodegradable,” “harmful gases,” “toxins,” “impose heavy taxes,” and “alternatives.” These choices allow you to discuss both environmental damage and possible responses, and some less common language shows an effort to be precise. At times, however, word choice and collocation are awkward or inaccurate: “increasing stress to collect it” does not naturally describe the burden of waste collection, while “reowned personalities” appears to be an incorrect form. “Negatives of using plastic products” is also less precise than a phrase such as “environmental consequences.” Aim for natural collocations and check spelling and word forms; this would make the vocabulary more flexible and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including clauses beginning “As plastic is…” and “Due to improper management…,” and the meaning remains clear overall. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with subject–verb agreement and sentence construction. For example, “problems which arises” should be “problems which arise,” and “packaging products also contributes” should be “packaging products also contribute.” In “Plastic releases… which pollutes the air and make it harmful,” the verbs do not agree consistently with their subjects. The opening sentence also lacks a clear article before “plastic materials.” Review agreement, articles, and the structure of long sentences, while continuing to use complex forms; more consistent accuracy would improve control.

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