Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Some people consider reducing either the number of times they fly yearly or giving up flying altogether. I disagree because flying is considered important to large companies as they are worldwide and to many families living apart. Critics of flying say that the effects of airplanes on the environment are increasing and need to be take into consideration, since carbon emissions from the fuel used daily to generate airplanes effects the respiratory system, regarding the quality of air that we inhale. Another benefit to decreasing the number of flights in a year is that people can resort to other transport systems for short to medium distances that are more ecofriendly, such as electric trains that carry more passengers, while producing less carbon dioxide per person. For instance, in Egypt, many people now prefer using electric trains when flying domestically as it is cheaper and more ecofriendly. On the other hand, flying multiple times a year is considered an essential to families living apart for reasons, such as studying or working. They fly home on holidays and short breaks to see their loved ones. International companies fly daily to other countries to make agreements or to promote their products through advertisements. For instance, many students studying in states or countries away from home find pleasure in returning on special holidays, such as Christmas or Ramadan to. In conclusion, I believe that while the environment is affected daily by the outcomes of flying which include carbon emissions and poor oxygen that we breath; however, it is a mean for families to foster relationships and stay close-knit and businesses to grow

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you disagree that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages, and you give relevant reasons involving families who live apart and international businesses. You also acknowledge the environmental case, including emissions and alternatives such as electric trains, so the response addresses both sides of the question. However, the comparison is not fully developed: the environmental harms are described, but the conclusion does not explain why the personal and business benefits outweigh them. Some examples, such as companies flying to promote products, would be stronger with a clearer explanation of why remote communication is insufficient. Develop the weighing of benefits and costs more explicitly and support each main point with precise reasoning or evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an identifiable overall shape, moving from environmental arguments to personal and business disadvantages before reaching a conclusion. However, the progression within this structure is difficult to follow because several distinct points are crowded into one long paragraph, with no clear separation between the opposing arguments. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “For instance” help signal relationships, but the final sentence uses “while …; however,” which creates a confusing contrast, and the conclusion introduces ideas without clearly resolving the comparison. Use separate paragraphs for the environmental case, the disadvantages, and the conclusion. Make each paragraph develop one central point, and use transitions and references that clarify how the ideas connect.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic-related vocabulary, including “carbon emissions,” “electric trains,” “international companies,” and “close-knit,” which helps communicate the main ideas. There are also attempts at more specific expressions, such as “short to medium distances” and “foster relationships.” Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, however: “effects of airplanes” is unclear where you mean their impact, “poor oxygen” does not express the intended air-quality problem, and “an essential” is not the natural form in this context. “Ecofriendly” is also better written as “eco-friendly.” Aim for precise, natural collocations and check word forms; this will make your arguments clearer and more convincing without requiring unnecessarily complex vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a relative clause in “families living apart” and a contrastive sentence beginning “On the other hand.” The main meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors reduce accuracy. For example, “need to be take into consideration” should be “need to be taken into consideration,” and “a mean” should be “a means.” The final sentence combines “while” and “however” in a way that makes the clause structure confusing, and “to” is left at the end of the example about holidays. Review passive forms, articles, and sentence boundaries, and avoid joining multiple contrasts in one sentence. More consistently controlled complex sentences would strengthen the response.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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