Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-12

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 4.0)

Nowadays, some people have chosen to decline the number of flights every years while others stop flying completey. Although this decision has some drawbacks for businesses and individuals, I believe that completely ban of flights is not good option for everyone.

On the one hand, lack of employment is the main cause of this lifestyle. This is beacuse the number of people who work in airports such as crew, receptionist and many more are completely rely on this job.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You introduce the topic and signal a view with “I believe,” and you identify a relevant disadvantage: reduced flying could affect airport workers. However, the position does not answer the comparison in the question: whether environmental benefits outweigh disadvantages. The claim that banning flights is “not good option for everyone” is too broad and is not explained, and no environmental benefit is discussed. The response also ends before developing the argument or giving a conclusion. The required minimum length is not met, which leaves the task substantially incomplete. To improve, state clearly which side outweighs the other, explain both environmental effects and personal or business costs, and support each point with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: the opening introduces the issue and the next paragraph begins with “On the one hand” to present a disadvantage. This gives the reader some indication of the intended structure. However, the paragraph is only one sentence long, and the response stops without a contrasting point, a conclusion, or a clear progression toward an answer. “Although” signals a contrast, but the promised discussion of drawbacks and the writer’s position is not developed. Build a complete sequence: introduction with a direct answer, separate paragraphs for the main arguments, and a conclusion. Use linking phrases only when the relationship between fully explained ideas is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some topic-related vocabulary, including “flights,” “businesses,” “environmental,” “airports,” and “crew,” so the general subject is understandable. There is also an attempt to express a more formal argument through phrases such as “the main cause” and “drawbacks.” However, the range is very limited in this short response, and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, including “decline the number of flights,” “stop flying completey,” and “completely ban of flights.” These errors make some phrases awkward and reduce precision. Aim to learn common collocations for this topic, such as “reduce the number of flights” and “ban air travel,” and check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both a complex opening sentence beginning with “Although” and a longer sentence explaining the effect on airport workers. This shows some effort to vary sentence structure. However, grammatical control is inconsistent: “some people have chosen … while others stop” shifts tense, “every years” has incorrect number agreement, and “This is beacuse the number of people … are … rely” contains several problems with clause structure and subject–verb agreement. The sentence about workers is difficult to follow because the main verb pattern is not controlled. Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then add subordinate clauses. Check tense consistency, singular/plural agreement, and articles, as in “a good option.”

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

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