People generally know that the environment is important. However, most individuals still do not take responsibility to protect the environment. Why is this? What should be done to encourage people to protect the environment?

Same questionCompare 2 different answers (Band 7.5–8)

Sample Response

1

The importance of protecting the environment has been recognized globally, and many countries have implemented measures to minimize environmental harmmeasures to minimize the negative impact on the environment. However, despite this awareness, most people do not take responsibility for environmental protection. This essay will explore some of the reasons for this and suggest some practical measures to encourage people to protect the environment.

2

One of the main reasons people do not take responsibility for protecting the environment is limited environmental awarenessis ignorance. Many individuals lack sufficient knowledge of environmental issues, and thereforeand therefore, do not understand how their actions can harm the environment. For instance, people may not realize that improperly disposing of plasticdisposing of plastic improperly can cause pollutionlead to environmental pollution. Education and awareness campaigns can be effective ways to address this issue.

3

Another reason is that people are unwilling to changeare not willing to change their lifestyles. Many individuals prioritize their convenience and comfort over the environment, which leads to excessive consumption and wastefulness. The convenience of using personal cars instead of public transport, for instance, leads to increased emissions and pollution. Governments can incentivize people to adopt environmentally friendly habits through policies such as carbon taxes or subsidies for green products to tackle this issue.

4

Finally, individuals may not take responsibility for environmental protection because they feel that their actions cannot make a significant difference. They may also believe that corporations and governments should take responsibility for environmental protection. In response, governments and corporations can encourage individuals by offering them opportunities to participate in environmental protection initiatives such as community-based cleanup activities.

5

In conclusion, individuals play a critical role in environmental protection, but their lack of knowledge, unwillingness to change their lifestyleslifestyle, and belief that their actions have little impactperceived lack of impact can hinder their participation. Governments, corporations, and communities must collaborate to encourage people to protect the environment through education and awareness campaigns, incentives for green products, and opportunities for individuals to participateopportunities for individual participation.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 8.0

The response addresses both questions directly, maintains a clear line of argument, and supports each reason with a relevant practical measure. Its main limitation is that several ideas and examples remain fairly general, with some repetition of environmental protection language. The highest-priority improvement is to develop the cause-and-solution links more precisely, showing exactly how each proposed intervention would change behaviour.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

8.0
Scoring rule

Both parts of the task are fully addressed through relevant reasons and corresponding practical solutions.

Next step

Deepen the explanation of how each proposed measure would overcome the specific behavioural cause identified.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

8.0
Scoring rule

The response progresses logically through clearly focused paragraphs, with effective links between causes and solutions.

Next step

Make the internal progression less formulaic by integrating examples and solutions more naturally into each argument.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.5
Scoring rule

A wide and generally precise vocabulary supports the discussion, although key environmental terms are repeated frequently.

Next step

Use more varied and specific language for responsibility, behaviour change, and environmental consequences.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

8.0
Scoring rule

A broad range of complex structures is used accurately, with only minor lapses that do not impede meaning.

Next step

Refine article, number, and collocation choices in phrases such as lifestyle changes and individual participation.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

People generally know that the environment is important. However, most individuals still do not take responsibility to protect the environment. Why is this? What should be done to encourage people to protect the environment?

Your response

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