Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-28

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 9.0)

In recent years, a growing number of individuals have chosen to curb their air travel or eliminate flying entirely due to environmental concerns. Although this trend presents notable drawbacks for international commerce, personal convenience, and tourism, I firmly believe that the long-term ecological benefits far outweigh these individual and economic inconveniences.

On the one hand, restricting air travel imposes clear disadvantages on both businesses and individuals. For international corporations, reduced air travel can hinder trade relationships, delay negotiations, and limit face-to-face networking, which remains vital for establishing trust in many global industries. Furthermore, the global tourism sector—particularly in island nations or remote regions heavily reliant on foreign visitors—suffers economic losses when flight volumes drop. On an individual level, avoiding flights drastically limits personal mobility, making it far more challenging for people to explore foreign cultures or visit family members living across the globe within reasonable timeframes.

On the other hand, the environmental necessity of reducing commercial aviation is profound. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants directly into the upper atmosphere. Unlike ground transportation, where electric alternatives are becoming widespread, zero-emission commercial aircraft remain technologically distant. Consequently, reducing the demand for flights is currently the most immediate and effective mechanism to decrease aviation-related emissions, directly aiding in the global fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

Moreover, the disadvantages to individuals and businesses are increasingly mitigated by modern technological alternatives. High-speed rail networks provide a viable, low-carbon substitute for short- and medium-haul domestic flights. Simultaneously, virtual meeting platforms and remote communication tools have demonstrated that many international business operations can be conducted seamlessly without physical travel.

In conclusion, while cutting down on air travel creates short-term hurdles for global business and personal travel, the urgent need to halt environmental damage clearly takes precedence. The ecological gains from reduced carbon emissions are essential for planetary health, far outweighing the manageable drawbacks to industry and lifestyle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed, providing specific reasons for both the disadvantages (economic and personal) and the advantages (environmental necessity). The inclusion of counter-arguments and the subsequent rebuttal regarding technological alternatives demonstrates a high level of critical thinking. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of island nations and high-speed rail, which effectively illustrates your points. The conclusion provides a clear summary that reinforces your initial stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and the environmental benefits is smooth, using effective signposting such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately, such as 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'Simultaneously'. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall flow of the argument. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; instead, the structure feels sophisticated and easy to follow throughout the entire piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'curb their air travel', 'hinder trade relationships', 'technologically distant', and 'mitigated by modern technological alternatives' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. You successfully incorporate less common items to convey complex ideas, which enhances the overall quality of the writing and allows for a nuanced discussion of the topic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as the conditional-like structure in the second paragraph ('...particularly in island nations... heavily reliant on foreign visitors—suffers economic losses when flight volumes drop') and the participial phrases in the third paragraph. Punctuation is used correctly to manage complex ideas, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a sophisticated command of English grammar.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.