Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-27

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)

There has been a worldwide struggle to ban plastic bags, plastic bottles, and plastic packagings. By considering the drastic effects of plastics on living species, I strongly agree that plastic bags, bottles and packaging are bad for the environment.

On one hand, we have been using plastic for hundred of years considering its daily use, low cost, and extensive consumption in routine. On the other hand, this is damaging the soil texture, effecting the living species mainly in the water. It is a non-degradable substance that does not decompose in years. It is also influencing the bio-degradable substance decomposition by limiting the oxygen supply to them. Plastic bottles and boxes in our homes when exposed to heat, they release toxins in the food and drinks that cause diverse types of cancers.

It has been significantly drop in usage of plastics recently by replacing plastic things with the paper ones. The government as well as individuals can play their part in banning plastics. On bigger level, there should be a ban in plastic packaging in malls, shops and even small stalls. There should be a handsome fine on people voilating this ban. Moreover, cleanliness drives and awarness compaigns should be conducted successively. In addition, we should avoid getting plastic boxes and packaging on our behalf. We should not discard existing plastic without proper precautions.

On conclusion, I would encourage to follow the government instructions and support the ban on plastics by considering the bad effects on the environment as well as on the human health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both parts of the task and maintain a clear view that plastic harms the environment and should be restricted. Relevant effects include damage to soil, harm to aquatic life, slow decomposition, and possible toxins entering food and drinks. You also offer actions for governments, such as bans and fines, and for individuals, such as avoiding plastic packaging. These points make the response relevant and complete overall. However, some ideas need fuller explanation: for example, the claim that plastic limits oxygen for biodegradable materials is not clarified, and the proposed cleanliness drives are not linked to how they would reduce plastic pollution. Develop each point with a clear cause, consequence, or example to make the argument more convincing and fully supported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph on environmental damage, a paragraph on solutions, and a conclusion. The progression from effects to action is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the other hand,” “Moreover,” and “In addition” help connect points. Some linking is mechanical or not quite suited to the relationship between ideas: “On one hand” and “On the other hand” suggest a contrast, although the paragraph mainly adds information about plastic use and its harms. The solutions paragraph also moves quickly between bans, fines, campaigns, and personal choices without grouping or explaining their connections. Use clearer topic sentences and refer back to ideas explicitly so the organisation feels more deliberate and cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “non-degradable,” “oxygen supply,” “toxins,” “ban,” and “fine,” which helps communicate the main points. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “living species” and “extensive consumption.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “plastic packagings,” “damaging the soil texture,” and “on bigger level.” Spelling errors such as “voilating,” “awarness,” and “compaigns” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more natural environmental collocations and check spelling carefully; for instance, “soil quality,” “at a broader level,” and “awareness campaigns” would express your ideas more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the overall meaning is generally clear. For example, the sentence beginning “It is a non-degradable substance” communicates a relevant point, while the final paragraph provides a clear concluding recommendation. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction. In “It has been significantly drop in usage,” the verb form is incorrect; “usage has dropped significantly” would be more accurate. The sentence “Plastic bottles and boxes in our homes when exposed to heat, they release toxins” has a faulty structure and an unnecessary repeated subject. There are also errors in “for hundred of years” and “there should be a ban in plastic packaging.” Review plural forms, clause structure, and prepositions, while continuing to vary sentence patterns.

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