EnvironmentProblem–Solution
IELTS Essay: Plastic Waste in the Oceans (Band 9 vs 6.5)
In short
Below is a full Band 9 model answer to this IELTS Writing Task 2 question, the same question written at Band 6.5, and a criterion-by-criterion breakdown of exactly what separates them — so you can see what to change in your own writing. Then check your essay with the free tool.
The question
Vast quantities of plastic waste are polluting the world's oceans. What are the main causes of this problem, and what solutions could be adopted to tackle it?
How to approach a Problem–Solution question
A problem/solution question needs realistic causes or problems in one body paragraph and directly matching solutions in the other. Keep the two linked — each solution should address a problem you actually raised — and be specific: vague answers like 'the government should do more' score poorly compared with concrete, plausible measures.
The plan
- 01Introduction: paraphrase the ocean-plastic problem and signal that causes and solutions will follow
- 02Body 1: main causes - throwaway single-use plastic, inadequate waste management, discarded fishing gear
- 03Body 2: solutions - bans and producer responsibility, better recycling infrastructure, changing consumer habits
- 04Conclusion: summarise the causes and solutions and stress the need for coordinated action
Band 9 model answer
The accumulation of plastic debris in the world's oceans has emerged as one of the most pressing ecological threats of our time, endangering marine life and, ultimately, human health. This essay will examine the principal factors driving the crisis before proposing several practical remedies.
The root of the problem lies largely in a modern throwaway culture. Enormous volumes of single-use packaging, from drinks bottles to food wrappers, are produced and then carelessly discarded, and a great deal of this eventually finds its way into rivers and out to sea. Compounding the issue, waste-management systems in many countries are woefully inadequate, allowing rubbish to leak into waterways unchecked. Microplastics shed by cosmetics and synthetic clothing fibres, though far less visible, contribute silently to the same disaster. Discarded fishing nets, frequently abandoned by commercial fleets, add a further and particularly lethal layer to the pollution.
Tackling this scourge requires action on several fronts. Governments could introduce stringent bans on the most problematic single-use items and hold manufacturers financially responsible for the waste their products generate. In parallel, investing in modern recycling and collection infrastructure would stop much refuse from escaping in the first place. Equally important is shifting consumer habits through sustained education, so that reusable alternatives gradually become the norm rather than the exception, while incentives such as deposit-return schemes can reinforce these efforts at a local level.
In conclusion, ocean plastic pollution stems chiefly from excessive single-use consumption, poor waste disposal and irresponsible fishing practices. Although no single measure will suffice on its own, a combination of tighter regulation, better infrastructure and greater public awareness offers the most realistic hope of reversing the damage.
The same question at Band 6.5
These days there is a lot of plastic waste in the oceans, and it become a very big problem for the environment. In this essay I will talk about the main causes of this problem, and also give some solutions to solve it.
Firstly, one of the main cause is that people use too much plastic in their daily life. For example, we buy many things like bottles, bags and packaging which are made from plastic, and after using we just throw it away. A lot of this plastic go to the rivers and then to the sea. Also, in some countries there is no good system to collect the garbage, so the waste is everywhere and some of it end up in the water.
Secondly, the fishermen also cause this problem. Sometimes they leave their old nets in the water, and this is very dangerous for the fish and the other animals in the ocean who can be trapped inside them.
For the solutions, I think the government should make a law to stop people using so much plastic. They can also give fine to the companies who produce too much plastic. Another solution is to build more recycling factory, so the plastic can be use again. Moreover, we should teach the people to use less plastic, and the people can also join the beach cleaning activities in the weekend to remove the plastic from the sea. In conclusion, if the government and the people work together, I believe we can reduce this problem and protect the ocean.
What separates them, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Band 9 | Band 6.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Fully addresses both tasks with developed causes and matching solutions, linking a 'throwaway culture' directly to bans and producer responsibility. | Covers causes and solutions but treats them briefly; the fishing-net cause is only a couple of short sentences. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Cohesion is varied and natural ('Compounding the issue', 'In parallel', 'Equally important'), guiding the reader smoothly. | Uses formulaic linkers ('Firstly', 'Secondly', 'For the solutions', 'Moreover') and lists ideas in sequence. |
| Lexical Resource | Topic-specific precision: 'plastic debris', 'single-use packaging', 'woefully inadequate', 'tackle this scourge'. | Repeats basic vocabulary such as 'plastic', 'problem' and 'garbage' throughout, with little variation. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Confident complex sentences with subordination and passives, all grammatically accurate. | Simple structures dominate, with errors like 'it become', 'this plastic go' and 'can be use again'. |
Examiner's note
The Band 9 answer scores higher because it develops both causes and solutions in depth, connects them logically, and deploys precise, topic-specific collocation within accurate complex sentences. The 6.5 essay addresses the task and is easy to follow, but its ideas are thin, its linking formulaic, and frequent errors such as 'it become' and 'can be use again' mark it as a solid mid-band performance.
Vocabulary from the Band 9 answer
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| plastic debris | scattered pieces and fragments of waste plastic |
| a pressing ecological threat | an urgent danger to the natural environment |
| a throwaway culture | a way of life in which items are used briefly and then discarded |
| single-use packaging | wrapping designed to be used only once and thrown away |
| woefully inadequate | far worse or far less than what is actually needed |
| leak into waterways | escape gradually into rivers, streams and other channels of water |
| tackle this scourge | deal with this widespread and very harmful problem |
| hold manufacturers financially responsible | make producers pay for the harmful consequences of their products |
Frequently asked questions
How many causes and solutions should I include?
Two well-developed ideas for each part are plenty; examiners reward depth and clear explanation far more than a long list of undeveloped points.
Should my solutions match the causes I mention?
Ideally yes - solutions feel more convincing when they clearly address the causes you raised, though a strict one-to-one match is not compulsory.
How do I structure a problem-solution essay?
Use four paragraphs: an introduction, one body paragraph on the causes or problems, one on the solutions, and a conclusion that summarises both parts.