Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-15

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 4.0)

There has been a significant conern regarding enviornmental damge. Nowadays, environment is impacted and polluted by recycling items, including plastic bags, litters and packaging. This essay will discuss how plastic littering can damage the water and citylife, and suggest some possible soltutions can be done by authorities and people such as encouraging and educating people.

One of the main reasons of environmental damage is because of plastic items that not properly recylced. People have been using plastic items in their everday use, but they do not

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the topic and signals an intention to discuss environmental damage and possible solutions, mentioning harm to “water and citylife” and action by “authorities and people.” However, it does not actually explain either type of damage or describe any government or individual measures. The only developed point is that plastic is not properly recycled, and even this is left unfinished at “they do not”. The essay therefore addresses the task only minimally, with the main ideas undeveloped and no relevant examples or supporting reasons. The response is also substantially below the required minimum length, which leaves too little space to answer both questions. To improve, complete the explanation of environmental effects and give specific, supported actions for both groups.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening paragraph introduces the topic and previews damage and solutions, followed by a paragraph beginning “One of the main reasons”. The signposting phrase “This essay will discuss” also helps indicate the intended direction. However, the progression cannot be sustained because the second paragraph stops mid-sentence, and the promised discussion of solutions never appears. The link between the claim about plastic littering and the stated effects on water and city life is not explained. Use complete paragraphs with one clear purpose each, and connect claims to explanations using straightforward links such as “As a result” or “To address this”.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some relevant topic vocabulary, including “environmental damage”, “plastic items”, “recycled”, “polluted” and “authorities”. These choices make the general subject clear. However, the range is narrow and several spelling errors affect the accuracy and presentation of the vocabulary, including “conern”, “enviornmental”, “damge”, “recylced” and “soltutions”. Some expressions are also imprecise or unnatural: “recycling items” does not clearly describe plastic waste, and “citylife” is better expressed as “urban environments” or “city life”. Build a more precise set of topic terms, such as “plastic waste”, “marine life”, “landfill” and “single-use packaging”, and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts more than one sentence pattern, including a complex opening with “including” and a sentence beginning “One of the main reasons”. The intended meaning is generally understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “plastic items that not properly recycled” is missing the auxiliary verb “are”, and “some possible solutions can be done” uses an unsuitable passive construction; write “some possible solutions that authorities and individuals can implement”. The final sentence is incomplete: “but they do not” needs a completed clause. There is also a faulty construction in “One of the main reasons … is because”. Aim for complete sentences, accurate passive forms, and a mix of simple and complex structures that you check before finishing.

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