Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-30

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 7.5)

In recent years, a growing number of businesses have decided to cut down on business travel, which has led to a reduced demand for flights. A similar trend has also emerged among individual passengers. The reasons for the same are discussed in the ensuing paragraphs.

It is true that many businesses have a strong need for their employees to travel long distances to run their operations. Therefore, corporates often require their staff to take flights for various purposes such as, generating more business, learning new technologies, gaining technical expertise, etc. For instance, my father's company requires him to travel to Singapore at least three times a year to oversee their international operations, and to train the local staff. Similarly, individuals fly for reasons such as tourism and visiting family. For many of them, flying may be the only feasible way to swiftly reach their destination, saving valuable time. Furthermore, thousands of aviation jobs depend heavily on people choosing to fly regularly. Hence, a reduction in flying can affect their livelihood and the survival of their family.

However, aeroplane travel is expensive , and corporations can possibly save significant expenditure by cutting down business transit. Additionally, the environmental conditions improve significantly. Some studies suggest the amount of pollution caused by a single flight from New York to London would require at least 1000 trees planted to offset the effects. For example, my company has decided to replace a majority of its in-person meetings with Zoom calls, saving time and money on corporate travel. Finally, this makes way for alternative travel methods such as high-speed rail , which cause significantly lower pollution per passenger mile as compared to planes, contributing to a greener environment.

In conclusion, while aeroplane travel , despite being essential for many, is witnessing a decline, it has resulted in a better environment for everyone.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the task. You clearly identify both the disadvantages (impact on jobs, necessity of travel) and the environmental benefits. Your position is consistent throughout. However, the development of ideas could be more balanced. While you provide a personal example for the disadvantages, the discussion on environmental benefits is slightly more detailed. To reach a higher band, ensure that the 'disadvantages' are explored with the same depth as the 'benefits'. The conclusion is a bit brief; it would be stronger if it explicitly restated your final verdict on whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, rather than just summarizing the situation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'Additionally' to link ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the opposing viewpoints. The progression of ideas is generally smooth, though the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be slightly more sophisticated to better highlight the contrast between the two sides of the argument. Overall, the structure is clear and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision, using terms like 'operations', 'feasible', 'offset', and 'expenditure'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is generally successful. However, there are minor issues with collocation and phrasing, such as 'reasons for the same' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'aeroplane travel' (where 'air travel' is more idiomatic). The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication, but lacks the consistent flexibility and sophisticated control required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional-like structure in the third paragraph. There are some punctuation errors, specifically the inconsistent spacing around commas (e.g., 'expensive ,'). While there are occasional grammatical slips, such as 'the reasons for the same', these do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are clear and error-free. To improve, focus on refining punctuation and ensuring that complex sentence structures are used with greater precision to enhance the flow of your writing.

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