Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-25

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)

It is sad but true that, In the contemporary era using of plastic is increasing day by day. A plastic can not be completely vanished, Although it can be recycled. A plastic is consider to be nonsustainable for the environment. To mitigate this problem, a few proactive steps can be taken. Both the measures as well as possible motives will be discussed in the upcoming paragraphs with valid reasons and appropriate examples.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening recognises the topic and signals that solutions will be discussed, but it does not answer either question in any meaningful detail. No environmental damage is identified, and no action by governments or individuals is explained; the promised “measures” and “motives” never appear. The response is also far below the required 250 words, leaving the task substantially incomplete. The few statements offered, such as plastic being difficult to eliminate and recyclable, are relevant background but do not develop the requested points or provide examples. To improve, explain specific harms—such as wildlife ingesting plastic or waste polluting waterways—and give practical, distinct actions for governments and individuals, supported with reasons or examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic overall shape: an introductory paragraph introduces the issue and previews further discussion. Phrases such as “To mitigate this problem” and “will be discussed in the upcoming paragraphs” indicate an intended direction. However, there are no subsequent paragraphs, so the ideas do not progress into an explanation of damage or solutions. The linking language therefore promises content that is absent, and the short sequence of claims is not developed into a coherent argument. Organise the essay into an introduction, a paragraph on environmental effects, a paragraph on government and individual responses, and a conclusion. Use clear links between each point and explain how it connects to the task.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

There is some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “recycled,” “environment,” and “mitigate,” and the writer attempts a formal register. However, the range is narrow because the response contains very few developed ideas, and several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural. “Using of plastic” is not a natural phrase, while “nonsustainable” is an awkward choice for describing environmental impact. “A plastic can not be completely vanished” also uses an unsuitable expression for the intended meaning. Build a more precise vocabulary set for this topic, such as “plastic waste,” “persist in the environment,” “pollute waterways,” and “restrict single-use plastics.” Use these terms in specific explanations rather than relying on general statements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response shows an attempt to use both simple statements and a longer sentence, particularly in “To mitigate this problem, a few proactive steps can be taken.” However, the range is limited, and several grammatical errors affect accuracy. In “using of plastic is increasing,” the noun phrase is incorrectly formed; “the use of plastic is increasing” would be correct. “A plastic can not be completely vanished” has an incorrect passive construction, and “A plastic is consider” needs the past participle “considered.” Capitalisation is also inconsistent in “In” and “Although” within sentences. Practise accurate articles, verb forms, and sentence punctuation, then use a wider mix of correctly controlled complex sentences to explain causes and solutions.

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