Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people have decided to reduce the number of times they fly every year or to stop flying altogether.

Do you think the environmental benefits of this development outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Reducing the number of times flying each year or putting a complete full stop to flying altogether is something which would greatly damage the economies of multiple countries who heavily rely on the airline industry and tourism in their country.

Numerous businesses across the globe pretty much rely on air cargo to avoid long delays in shipping different things from one place to another and if the airline industry collapses so it will create great hindrance in many business operations hence forcing everyone to use other means of transport such as by sea which unfortunately takes more time and is more costly at times.Alongside that the airline industry also acts as a catalyst for many countries where tourism is the main contributor to their country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) such as Dubai which is one of the most visited city in the world and if there is less travel to Dubai by air so Dubai's economy can crumble in no time as they heavily rely on tourism for revenue generation.Another factor is of the cultural isolation each country faces when they are fewer tourists to travel to their country which would ultimately increase the chance of having misunderstandings among the neighbouring countries.

On the flip side there is one major environmental benefit from reducing air travel and that is the reduction of carbon emissions as airplanes are known for producing carbon in large amount which contributes to global warming across the globe.

Despite this significant environmental effect, air travel should be preferred more as time is money for many countries and people which shouldnt be compromised at all in this fast-moving world of ours.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You take a clear position: you argue that the disadvantages of reducing air travel outweigh its environmental benefit. The response gives relevant reasons, including effects on air cargo, tourism-dependent economies and international understanding, and identifies lower carbon emissions as the main benefit. However, the environmental side is only briefly acknowledged, and the disadvantages are asserted more than demonstrated. For example, the claim that Dubai’s economy could “crumble in no time” is sweeping and would be stronger with a measured explanation or supporting example. The discussion also treats reduced flying as if it meant the airline industry would collapse, rather than considering a gradual reduction. Develop both sides more fully and explain why your chosen position outweighs the alternative.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable overall structure: it presents disadvantages, introduces the environmental benefit with “On the flip side,” and ends with a clear conclusion. This helps the reader follow the main argument. However, most of the disadvantages are packed into one very long paragraph, so the progression between air cargo, tourism and cultural effects is difficult to track. Several links, such as “Alongside that” and “hence,” are used, but some connections are awkward or do not clearly show how one point follows from another. The conclusion is also very brief and does not bring the main reasons together. Use separate paragraphs for distinct arguments and make the relationship between each claim and its consequence explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You show an adequate range and some ambition in expressions such as “air cargo,” “catalyst,” “cultural isolation” and “carbon emissions.” These choices allow you to discuss economic and environmental effects with some specificity, and the meaning is generally clear. The 6.5-level strength is the presence of less common vocabulary, but control of natural collocation and precision is not consistent: “complete full stop to flying,” “great hindrance,” and “producing carbon in large amount” sound awkward or imprecise. Repeated broad phrases such as “across the globe” and “in no time” also reduce the essay’s academic tone. Aim for more precise, conventional combinations and avoid dramatic wording when a measured description would better support your argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt complex sentences, including clauses linked with “which,” “if” and “where,” and the main ideas can usually be understood. However, these longer structures are often difficult to control, and sentence boundaries and punctuation are inconsistent. For example, the opening sentence has an unclear relative clause in “countries who heavily rely,” while the long sentence about Dubai combines several ideas without clear punctuation. There are also errors in agreement and sentence construction, as in “one of the most visited city,” and the final sentence uses “shouldnt” without an apostrophe. Break long sentences into manageable units, check subject–verb and singular/plural agreement, and proofread punctuation and apostrophes.

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