Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-26

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 7.0)

In the contemporary era, an increasing number of people have chosen to reduce the number of flights they take each year or to stop flying entirely. This essay will explain why the environmental benefits of this trend outweigh the disadvantages for people and businesses.

Generally speaking, there is a wide range of reasons why people decided to decrease the number of times every year or stop flying altogether. Perhaps the main reason for this is that people want to cut carbon emissions. For example, in modern days total carbon emissions have risen dramatically, and as a result, the environment has become increasingly fragile. Consequently, not only temperature rise but also sea level. A secondary motivation is to reduce noise and air pollution. To cite an example, aircraft burn large volumes of fuel, which is a leading cause of air pollution, and produce constant loud noise that generates harmful noise pollution.

On the other hand, although it has some certain benefits it also has some drawbacks. First and foremost, individuals can no longer travel long distances in a short period of time. For instance, many people live and work in countries far from their hometown; if they stop flying, they cannot visit family members regularly. Additionally, local tourism destinations lose revenue when visitor numbers fall. A second major disadvantage is that the aviation industry faces financial hardship, which leads to large-scale job losses.

In conclusion, although it has some drawbacks the environmental benefits will outweigh the disadvantages. Cutting carbon emissions to slow climate change is an urgent global priority, so individual action to reduce flying is a necessary contribution to protecting the planet for future generations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, covering both the environmental motivations and the socio-economic drawbacks. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the discussion on environmental benefits could be more deeply explored with specific examples beyond general statements about carbon emissions. Similarly, the impact on the aviation industry is mentioned but not fully extended. To reach a higher band, you should provide more detailed explanations or concrete examples to support your arguments, ensuring that the balance between the benefits and drawbacks is thoroughly examined.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'consequently,' 'on the other hand,' and 'first and foremost' to link your thoughts. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more precise. For example, in the second paragraph, the sentence 'Consequently, not only temperature rise but also sea level' is grammatically incomplete and disrupts the flow of the argument. Improving the sophistication of your linking phrases would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'contemporary era,' 'fragile,' and 'financial hardship' appropriately. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is generally successful. However, there are some instances where word choice could be more precise or natural. For example, 'in modern days' is a bit informal; 'in the modern era' or 'currently' would be better. Additionally, some collocations could be refined to sound more academic. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, incorporating a wider variety of topic-specific collocations would help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. There are several error-free sentences, but some grammatical slips occur, particularly with sentence fragments and missing verbs. For instance, the phrase 'not only temperature rise but also sea level' lacks a verb, making it an incomplete clause. Additionally, 'although it has some certain benefits it also has some drawbacks' requires a comma after the dependent clause. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and ensuring all clauses are complete will improve your accuracy.

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