Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-21

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 6.0)

In today's world, the use of plastic bags, plastic bottles and packaging are highly popular among everyone. However, these are very dangerous and harmful for our environment. In the subsequent paragraphs, I will discuss the causes and suggest some solutions that government and individuals can take to reduce this problem.

To begin with, plastic poses a significant threat to the environment because it is non-biodegradable and can remain in nature for hundreds of years. People throw plastic bags, bottles along with other waste material which then dumped into larger landfills. Over time, these plastic products accumulate in the soil and may release harmful chemicals which produce land pollution. Furthermore, plastic waste often finds its way into rivers and oceans, where marine animals may accidentally consume it or become trapped in it. For example, when marine species consume it mistakenly, it cause serious health issues or even death.

In addition to this, when accumulated plastic water bottles, polythene bags burn in lanfills create huge amount of chemicals in surroundings cause environment pollution. Therefore, reducing plastic waste is essential to protect the environment.

Several effective solutions can be implemented by governments and individuals. One should be to impose stricted ban on plastic bottles, bags production and usage. This allow industries to look for eco-friendly alternatives. Another suggestion is that an individual should be mindful when dispose garabage to bins, as they can wisely separate the solid plastic waste and other kitchen waste separately. Alongwith these suggestions, government should facilitate recycle bins on different area of the city so people use these to dispose plastic.

In conclusion, although plastic waste, bags and pacaging wrappers severly pollute environment. This can be tackled by strict regulations and improvement suggested by government and individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the task: it explains environmental damage, including long-lasting plastic in landfills, soil pollution, and harm to marine animals, and proposes actions for governments and individuals. The examples about animals consuming plastic and plastic being burned help make the discussion relevant. However, some points are less fully developed than others. The effects of burning plastic are mentioned but not explained clearly, and the proposed ban and recycling bins would benefit from details about how they would reduce waste or be implemented. The introduction refers to discussing “causes,” although the task asks about damage and solutions. A more precise framing and fuller explanation of the solutions would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, a paragraph on environmental damage, a paragraph of proposed solutions, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Furthermore,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the main stages of the argument. The progression within paragraphs is generally understandable, but some links feel mechanical, and a few references are unclear. For instance, “One should be to impose” does not clearly identify the proposed action, while “Alongwith these suggestions” introduces another measure without a smooth connection to the preceding individual action. Grouping each solution with its responsible party and explaining its effect would improve cohesion and make the argument flow more naturally.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant topic vocabulary, including “non-biodegradable,” “landfills,” “marine animals,” “eco-friendly alternatives,” and “recycle bins.” These choices show an attempt to discuss the issue beyond basic everyday language. However, inaccurate word forms, spelling, and collocations are noticeable and sometimes make phrases difficult to interpret. Examples include “stricted ban,” “garabage,” “lanfills,” “pacaging,” and “huge amount of chemicals in surroundings.” Some wording is also imprecise, such as “highly popular among everyone” and “improvement suggested.” Build accuracy by checking spelling and learning common combinations such as “impose a strict ban,” “dispose of waste,” and “a large amount of pollution.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is an attempt to use both simple and complex structures, including a relative clause in “where marine animals may accidentally consume it” and a reason clause beginning “because it is non-biodegradable.” However, errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction recur. For example, “the use … are” should use a singular verb, and “which then dumped” needs a verb such as “is dumped.” In “it cause serious health issues,” the verb form does not agree with its subject. The sentence about burning plastic also lacks clear grammatical connections between its clauses. These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main ideas, but careful editing and more controlled complex sentences would improve accuracy.

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