Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-09

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)

In the following text, I will discuss the environmental benefits of people reducing their number of flights versus the disadvantages for the individuals and businesses of this decision.

Overall, there is no evidence that there are less flights provided by airlines, because some individuals reduced the number of flights per year. The following argumentation is based on that fact.

On the one side, based on facts there is no environmental benefit, because the flights are still provided by airlines even when not every seat in the plane is booked. Therefore, I argue that there are no environmental benefits when some people decided to reduce their number of flights. For instance, a Lufthansa plan from Frankfurt to New York in the last month flew with 90% of the seats booked and with 100% booked. As a consequence these 10% who reduced their number of flights, because of the environment didn't have an impact on the plane provided by Lufthansa.

On the otherside, there are disadvantages for individuals and businesses, because they can't use the most time efficient transportation service when they aren't flying. I argue, that businesses and individuals loose time and money when they are not using the most efficient way. For example, an individual who needs to fly from Frankfurt to New York for a business meeting decides to use a boat instead of a plane, because of the environment. The individual would take approximately 2 more days to get to New York and wouldn't benefit the environment, because the plane flew to New York anyway with or without that individual. He lost time and the businesses lost money, because they paid that indivual to spent 2 days on a boat instead of working in the office.

In my opinion, the environmental benefits doesn't outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses, because there are no environmental benefits of reducing the number flights and there are disadvantages for individuals and businesses of not using a plane and switching to a substitute that isn't efficient.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You give a clear answer: you believe the environmental benefits do not outweigh the disadvantages, and you address both the environmental impact and the effects on individuals and businesses. The examples—a flight with some empty seats and a business traveller choosing a boat—make your reasoning relevant to the question. However, the environmental case is treated too categorically: the claim that reducing passenger numbers has no benefit because the flight still operates overlooks possible effects on demand, future flight frequency, or emissions per passenger. The disadvantages are more fully illustrated than the environmental side, and the discussion of businesses is mainly tied to one travel scenario. Develop both sides with more balanced reasoning and qualify claims where appropriate.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs, and a conclusion that restates your position. Signposting such as “On the one side,” “On the otherside,” and “In my opinion” helps readers follow the argument, while examples are placed alongside the points they support. However, the progression can feel mechanical because each paragraph follows a similar claim–example pattern, and some links are not fully logical: the flight example does not establish that reduced demand can never affect environmental outcomes. References such as “these 10%” are also not entirely clear. Use transitions that show the precise relationship between ideas, and connect each example explicitly to the point it is intended to prove.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate your argument, including “environmental benefits,” “transportation service,” “seats booked,” and “substitute.” There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “time efficient” and “impact on the plane.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision: “a Lufthansa plan” appears to mean “flight,” “argumentation” is awkward in this context, and “the most time efficient transportation service” is an overgeneralisation. Spelling and word-form slips such as “loose,” “indivual,” and “otherside” also reduce control. Aim for natural collocations and check spelling carefully; more precise terms for emissions, demand, and travel time would strengthen the discussion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including clauses with “because,” “when,” and “even when,” and most of the argument remains understandable. Some sentence structures are effective, such as the explanation beginning “The individual would take approximately 2 more days…”. However, there are several errors in agreement, verb forms, and sentence construction. For example, “the environmental benefits doesn't outweigh” should use a plural verb, and “who reduced” shifts awkwardly from the present general argument into the past. The sentence beginning “For instance, a Lufthansa plan…” is also difficult to parse, and the comma after “I argue” is unnecessary. Review subject–verb agreement and keep tense choices consistent, while varying complex structures with careful proofreading.

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