Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-13

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)

There has been ongoing debate about whether some people decided to reduce the number of times they fly every year while others think that to stop flying altogether. According to my point of view it is more important to decrease the number of flights yearly rather than stopping it at once.

On the one hand, if our organizations work on this problem by reducing the annual ratio of flights then we easily overcome lots of issues that specifically related to our environment. For example, global emission is the biggest issue that we face nowadays and it is crucial that to set some boundaries for people who took lots of flights annually. Because excessive activity to move abroad gradually increased pollution that really harmful for people and our environment as well.

On the other side, if we stopped people for flying or visit to another country then it creats lots of disadvantages for individual person as well as bussinesses.For instance, visitors put a great effort on the development of every nation because they explored various places where they bought different food, clothes and accomodation as well that automatically helped to build a nation economically stable.

In conclusion, it is essential for government to maintain a balance of excessive flights instead of stopping out it. Organisations should consider it as a healthy activity for bussiness men to establish their bussinesses. I think that that humans health is valuable but the economical growth also play a important role for the growth of a nation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a relevant position: you favour reducing flights rather than stopping them altogether, and you mention environmental harm as well as effects on tourism and businesses. However, the response only partially answers whether the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages; it does not clearly compare their relative importance, and the conclusion shifts towards balancing flights without explaining why that is the best judgement. The environmental point about emissions and pollution is relevant but general, while the economic example is also briefly stated rather than developed. The response is 240 words, so it does not meet the 250-word minimum; this limits the space available to explain and support your position. Develop both sides with specific reasoning and make your final comparison explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting opposing considerations, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other side,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the broad direction. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the first body paragraph moves from organisations to flight limits and then pollution without fully connecting the steps. Some linking is mechanical, and the opening sentence is difficult to follow because it combines contrasting views in an unclear way. The conclusion repeats the idea of balance but does not clearly resolve the comparison in the question. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each example directly to the claim it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “global emission,” “pollution,” “development,” and “economically stable,” so the main ideas can generally be understood. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “maintain a balance.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “annual ratio of flights,” “excessive activity to move abroad,” and “stopping out it.” Spelling errors such as “creats,” “bussinesses,” and “accomodation” are noticeable and reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural combinations—for example, “number of flights per year” and “restricting air travel”—and check spelling carefully. This would make your argument clearer and more appropriate in tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including conditional structures such as “if we stopped people for flying” and a reason clause beginning “Because excessive activity…”. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some relationships difficult to follow. Examples include “some people decided … while others think that to stop flying,” where the clauses are not grammatically parallel, and “it is crucial that to set some boundaries,” which has an incorrect clause pattern. There are also problems with verb forms and agreement, as in “pollution … really harmful” and “economic growth also play.” Practise building complete clauses, checking subject–verb agreement, and using articles and prepositions accurately. Shorter, controlled sentences can help you express the comparison more clearly.

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

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