Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Many people have decided to lessen the number of times they fly every year. I believe the environmental advanatges of this phenomenon does not outweigh the drawbacks for individual and businesses because many businessmen, entrepreneurs and individuals have need to fly on a daily basis for several purposes.

On a daily basis, millions of people fly internationally. Many people decided not to fly several times a year and they reduced their number of times they fly because it has many environmental benefits. The smoke and the fumes are released from an airplane and also it causes noise pollution. If some people decide to reduce their fly times, it does not contribute to environmental benefits because a large number of flights are taking off daily. For example, at Dubai airport, after every 1 minute a plane takes off and millions of people fly every day from dubai to other countries.

On the other hand, many businessmen, entrepreneurs, and individuals need to fly because of several reasons. Many businessmen have multinational companies so they have to travel frequently. Many people who reside in other countries away from their countries also need to fly. There would be many drawbacks for them not to fly or reduce the number of times they fly. It affects the jobs, work and businesses of many people.

To conclude, to reduce the number of times someone fly does produce some contribution in environmental benefits but the drawbacks for individuals and businesses outweigh the advantages of environmental benefit.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear overall view: you argue that the disadvantages for people and businesses outweigh the environmental gains, and you mention relevant concerns such as business travel and people living far from their home countries. However, the response addresses the comparison only partially. The environmental case is acknowledged through aircraft fumes and noise, but the claim that individual reductions make little difference is supported mainly by the example of frequent departures at Dubai airport, rather than by explaining the scale or likely impact of reduced flying. The disadvantages are also asserted more than developed. The response is 241 words, so it is 9 words below the required minimum; the 8 words copied from the prompt are excluded from the count. Develop both sides with clearer explanations and specific supporting examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for environmental effects and disadvantages, and a conclusion. Basic signposting such as “On the other hand” and “To conclude” helps readers follow the shift in focus. However, progression within paragraphs is limited: the environmental paragraph repeats the idea that people fly less and then moves quickly from pollution to the Dubai example without clearly connecting the example to the argument. Repeated phrases such as “number of times they fly” also make the writing feel repetitive, while links between claims are sometimes unclear. To improve, organise each body paragraph around one main point, explain how each example supports it, and use referencing and linking phrases more precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “environmental benefits,” “noise pollution,” “multinational companies,” and “drawbacks.” However, the range is limited and several phrases are repeated, especially “fly,” “number of times,” and “many people.” Some word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “reduce their fly times,” “smoke and the fumes,” and “produce some contribution.” There is also a spelling error in “advanatges.” These choices do not prevent the reader from understanding your position, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Build a wider set of expressions for air travel and its effects, and check spelling and collocations when revising.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Your sentences communicate the main argument, and you attempt some longer structures, for example, “because many businessmen, entrepreneurs and individuals have need to fly…” and “If some people decide to reduce their fly times…”. However, the range is limited, and complex sentences are often faulty. Agreement errors appear in “the environmental advantages … does not outweigh,” and the conclusion has “someone fly does produce.” Other problems include “individual and businesses,” “have need to fly,” and the awkward construction “after every 1 minute a plane takes off.” These frequent errors sometimes make the reader pause, even though the overall meaning remains understandable. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, plural forms, and sentence patterns for explaining causes and consequences; then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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