In many countries, plastic shopping bags are the main type of rubbish. They cause water and land pollution, so they should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
In recent years, plastic shopping bags have become a major environmental concern in many countries due to their widespread use and improper disposal. These bags contribute substantiallysignificantly contribute to water and land pollution, adversely affecting ecosystems and human health. I strongly agree that plastic shopping bags should be banned to mitigate their harmful effectsdetrimental impact on the environment.
A compelling reasonOne of the most compelling reasons for banning plastic bags is their contribution to land and water pollution. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and can remain in the environment for centuriescan persist in the environment for hundreds of years. When improperly discarded, they often end up clogging drainage systems, littering streets, or being swept into rivers and oceans. For example, evidence indicates thatnumerous reports have shown that marine animals mayoften mistake plastic bags for food, leading them to ingest the bags, suffocate or dieleading to ingestion, suffocation, and death. Banning these bags would significantly reduce plastic pollution, thereby protecting wildlife and preserving ecosystems.
Another reason for prohibiting plastic shopping bags is their harmful effectsimpact on human health. As plastic bags break down, they release microplastics that contaminate soil and water sources. These microplastics can enter the food chain when ingested by aquatic organisms, eventually reaching humans. Studies have found that microplastics can pose serious health risks, including hormonal disruption and potential carcinogenic effects. By eliminating plastic bags, countries can reduce microplastic pollutionthe prevalence of microplastic pollution and promote public health.
In conclusion, banning plastic shopping bags is a necessary step to address environmental pollution and safeguard public health. Although they may be inexpensive and convenient in the short termcheap and offer short-term convenience, the long-term consequences of plastic waste are severecatastrophic. Therefore, it is essential for governments to implement strict regulations on the use of plastic bagsplastic bag usage and encourage the adoption of sustainable alternatives.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its clear position, focused paragraphing, and well-developed explanation of environmental and health consequences. Its main limitation is that some support relies on broad claims about reports and health risks without much qualification or concrete evidence. The highest-priority improvement is to substantiate or cautiously frame these claims while preserving the essay’s precise organisation and controlled academic style.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The essay fully addresses the question with a consistent position and two relevant, well-extended reasons.
Strengthen the support further by qualifying broad scientific claims or using a more specific piece of evidence.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically through a clear introduction, focused body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion with well-managed cohesion.
Refine cohesion by reducing minor lexical repetition where the referent remains unmistakable.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise academic vocabulary is used flexibly to describe pollution, ecological harm, and public health.
Maintain this range while choosing slightly more measured wording for claims such as “catastrophic” or “serious health risks” when evidence is general.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide variety of complex structures is used accurately, with sentences consistently clear and virtually error-free.
Continue proofreading for the rare opportunity to streamline dense noun phrases without sacrificing precision.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
In many countries, plastic shopping bags are the main type of rubbish. They cause water and land pollution, so they should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.