Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-06

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 4.5)

Reducing the number of flights have a strong positive feedback in air pollution reduction. Although, some people may argue not to reduce fly amount round the year due to its drawbacks, I will stand up with the positive side as it has significant influence on both environmental and economic sector.

On the one hand, less flight count will consume less fuel which is undoubtedly a financial gain. Also, people will save time as they will not move any now or then.

On the other side, air pollution will be reduced as less flight wastes will occur.

In conclusion, however, more flying every year may help to personal gain or give mental recreation, if the number can be decreased, it will help to save more. So, it is clear that, the benefits of stop flying altogether outweigh its disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You give a clear overall view that reducing flights is beneficial, especially in the conclusion: “the benefits of stop flying altogether outweigh its disadvantages.” However, the response addresses the task only partially. The environmental benefit is mentioned briefly as reduced air pollution, while the disadvantages for individuals and businesses are not meaningfully explained or weighed against it. The claim that fewer flights bring “a financial gain” is also unclear and unsupported. Most importantly, the response is 112 words below the required minimum, leaving too little space to develop relevant reasons and examples. To strengthen your answer, explain specific effects on travel, tourism, or business, then compare these with emissions reductions and support each point with an example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

Your response has a basic structure, with an introduction, two short body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Linking phrases such as “On the one hand,” “On the other side,” and “In conclusion” help signal the intended organisation. However, the ideas do not progress clearly: the first body paragraph discusses fuel use as a financial gain and time saved, but does not connect these points clearly to the question’s disadvantages. The second body paragraph contains only one brief claim, so the comparison is not developed. Some linking is also awkward or contradictory, particularly “In conclusion, however.” Build fuller paragraphs around one main point each, explain how each point relates to the question, and use transitions that show the relationship between the arguments.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “air pollution,” “fuel,” “environmental,” and “economic,” so the main subject is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate and may make the reader pause. For example, “positive feedback in air pollution reduction” does not naturally express an environmental benefit, and “less flight wastes” is unclear. “Stand up with the positive side” is also an unnatural way to state your position. Aim for precise, conventional phrasing and a wider range of terms for emissions, travel, and business impacts. Learning vocabulary in collocations, rather than as isolated words, will help make your argument clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex sentence forms, including a concession beginning “Although” and a conditional structure in the conclusion. However, the range is limited, and attempts at longer sentences are often faulty. In “Reducing the number of flights have,” the singular gerund phrase requires a singular verb. “Although” is incorrectly followed by a full stop before the main clause, and the final sentence has an awkward conditional construction: “if the number can be decreased, it will help to save more.” Punctuation around “it is clear that” is also unnecessary. Practise building accurate sentences with one clear main clause, then add subordinate clauses carefully. Check subject–verb agreement and punctuation before submitting.

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