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Writing Samples
Band 6.5

Plastic containers have become more prevalent than ever. They are used in many businesses such as in the food and beverage sector. Do you think the advantages outweigh disadvantages?

6.5 / 9
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Introduction
Plastic
Use synonyms
 packaging is more widespread than ever. It is commonly used across many industries,
such
Linking Words
 as the
food
Use synonyms
 and drink industry. In my view, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages because
plastic
Use synonyms
 waste harms the environment, and animals suffer from it every day.
Body paragraph 1
Admittedly,
plastic
Use synonyms
 is cheap, lightweight and keeps
food
Use synonyms
 fresh. These features make it ideal for
food
Use synonyms
 delivery, which has grown rapidly in recent years.
For example
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, a small company with a limited budget may consider eco-friendly materials. Yet these alternatives can cost much more, which a small business may not be able to afford. Paper or glass containers,
for instance
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, may break easily or let
Body paragraph 2
Use synonyms
food
Add an article
The food
show examples
go
Correct subject-verb agreement
goes
show examples
 cold during delivery.
Therefore
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, using
plastic
Use synonyms
 seems to be the right choice financially.
Body paragraph 3
However
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, the main drawback is that
plastic
Use synonyms
 can take hundreds of years to decompose. It is made of strong chemical chains that bacteria cannot break down, so it remains in the environment for generations.
For example
Linking Words
, sea turtles often swallow
plastic
Use synonyms
 straws or become trapped in them.
As a result
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, many of these animals die, and tiny pieces of
plastic
Use synonyms
 can even enter the fish that people eat. Paper straws,
by contrast
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, decompose within a few months. Large companies can afford to choose
such
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 eco-friendly materials, and doing so would protect both people and wildlife.
Conclusion
In conclusion,
although
Linking Words
plastic
Use synonyms
 is cheap and practical, especially for small businesses, I believe its drawbacks are far greater. Because it remains in the environment for centuries and harms wildlife, companies that can afford greener alternatives should use them.

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task response
Your view is clear from the start, and you answer the main question. To make the answer stronger, say more about why the good points of plastic cannot match the harm. You could also add one clear idea about waste on land, not only in the sea.
task response
Your ideas are clear, but one point needs more care. You say paper straws break down in a few months. This may not always be true, so use safer words such as “can break down much faster than plastic.”
coherence and cohesion
The essay has a clear plan: good points, bad points, then a short end. The links between parts are easy to follow. Keep each main paragraph focused on one main idea, as you do here.
coherence and cohesion
Some links can be smoother. The sentence about large companies comes late in the last main paragraph. You could move it earlier or explain more clearly how it follows from the harm to sea life.
coherence and cohesion
Avoid a sudden break inside a sentence: “may break easily or let food go cold”. Keep this sentence on one line in the final version. Also, “become trapped in them” is not fully clear because “them” may mean straws or plastic in general.
task response
You give a clear opinion and keep it the same throughout the essay. You also discuss both the useful side of plastic and its harm.
task response
The examples of low-cost food delivery and sea turtles make your ideas easy to understand and closely linked to the topic.
coherence and cohesion
The opening and ending are clear. The ending restates your main view without adding a new main point.
coherence and cohesion
Words such as “Admittedly”, “However”, “For example”, and “As a result” help the reader follow your ideas.
Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
    • Sentence 1 - Background statement
    • Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
    • Sentence 3 - Thesis
    • Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
    • Sentence 1 - Summary
    • Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
    • Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »- a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

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