Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-04

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 this modern era, the usage of plastic based products is increasing day by day. People are very concerned about this and want to do something about the issue. It affects negatively to the environment. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss its damages to the environment and some solutions to the problem.

First of all, there are many people who say that plastic products are dangerous for the world. It is because of its effects when these products are burned or recycled by people. Apart from that, these products are very cheap and effective, therefore people tend to buy plastic items rather than going for recyclable products. Moreover, when someone burns a plastic based product it releases a harmful gas in the atmosphere. As a result, people can get sick easily. Furthermore, these products are not reliable at all and when a person dumps a plastic product into the soil, it damages the growing quality of soil.

On the other hand, there are many actions can be taken by the governments and individuals. First of all, the authorities should bring some alternatives to plastic products and make sure it is easily accessible to everyone. Apart from that, the usage of plastic must be prohibited all over the world and ensure that everyone is following respectively. Last but not the least, individuals should have sense of the responsibility towards their countries.

To conclude, although governments should initiate the process of handling the usage of plastic waste, public should also come forward to contribute equally. It is only possible when both groups show interest to handle the situation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the question and give a relevant overall position: plastic harms the environment, and governments and individuals should act. The points about harmful gases from burning plastic and damage to soil are pertinent, while alternatives and restrictions are proposed as solutions. However, the environmental effects are only briefly explained, and the claim that plastic is “not reliable at all” is unclear and does not establish a specific form of damage. The solutions are also underdeveloped: for example, you do not explain how restrictions would be enforced or what individuals could do beyond showing responsibility. Develop each main point with a clear explanation or example to make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, a paragraph on environmental damage, a paragraph on solutions, and a conclusion. Ideas generally progress in a sensible order, and signposts such as “First of all,” “Moreover,” and “On the other hand” help readers follow the discussion. This coherent arrangement is a strength. However, several transitions feel mechanical because similar sequencing phrases are used repeatedly, and some links between ideas are not fully clear. For instance, the point that plastic is cheap and effective is not explicitly connected to the environmental damage that follows. The conclusion repeats the shared-responsibility idea rather than drawing together the specific proposals. Use fewer formulaic connectors and make the relationship between each claim and its consequence explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “plastic-based products,” “harmful gas,” “atmosphere,” “recyclable products,” and “soil.” These choices make the subject clear, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited by repeated general terms such as “products,” “people,” and “problem,” while several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, including “growing quality of soil” and “show interest to handle the situation.” “Usage” is also repeated where a more specific term could clarify whether you mean consumption, disposal, or production. Aim for precise environmental vocabulary and natural collocations; this would help you explain the effects and solutions more clearly without relying on broad or awkward phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, using clauses with “when,” “because,” and “although,” as well as cause-and-effect structures. This gives the response some variety, and the main message remains understandable. However, errors occur in several sentence patterns. For example, “It affects negatively to the environment” has an incorrect construction, and “there are many actions can be taken” is missing a relative structure such as “that.” In “the authorities should bring some alternatives … and make sure it is easily accessible,” the pronoun does not clearly agree with the plural noun. There are also problems with articles and sentence construction in “public should also come forward.” Review verb patterns, agreement, and article use, then proofread complex sentences to ensure their parts fit together accurately.

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