Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-01

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 6.5)

Environmental pollution is one of the major concern in today's world .

One of the major reason for environmental degradation is transportation.

Due to which, some people have decided to reduce the number of times they fly every year or to stop flying altogether.

In my opinion, this is one of the most human things anybody can do to contribute in environmental conservation. The question here is, do the environmental benefits of this development outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses? I have a mixed opinion on this question.

For the environment, the consequences are high which can lead to weather change and many other effects, such as global warming, ozone layer depletion and many more which may affect long-term environmental concern and challenges

For businesses, the consequences are even more profound. Modern commerce relies heavily on international mobility for cross-border partnerships, global contract negotiations, and corporate leadership. Furthermore, millions of jobs worldwide depend directly on the aviation and tourism industries. Developing nations and island economies, in particular, would suffer catastrophic financial losses if international air travel experienced a widespread, voluntary boycott, crippling local infrastructures and livelihoods.

In conclusion, while flying less is a powerful symbolic gesture of environmental stewardship, the heavy tolls exacted on global commerce, employment, and personal mobility are too steep. Therefore, I believe the disadvantages of this trend heavily outweigh the environmental benefits, and a more sustainable solution lies in technological advancements within the aviation industry rather than the cessation of flight.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both environmental benefits and the disadvantages for businesses and individuals. However, the essay is slightly under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the argument. While the position is clear, the development of ideas is somewhat rushed. The environmental section is quite brief compared to the business section, leading to an imbalance in the discussion. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your points with more specific examples or detailed explanations to ensure the word count is met and the arguments are fully explored.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is generally easy to follow. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, and there are instances where transitions could be smoother. For example, the opening sentences are fragmented and lack strong linking words to connect the initial premise to the thesis. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the environmental perspective from the economic one, which helps the reader navigate your argument effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'environmental degradation,' 'cross-border partnerships,' and 'environmental stewardship.' There are some minor errors in word choice, such as 'one of the most human things' (which is vague) and 'major concern' (should be plural 'concerns'). While you attempt some sophisticated language, the overall range is somewhat limited. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensuring that your vocabulary choices are consistently accurate and appropriate for an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'One of the major reason' (should be 'reasons') and 'Due to which' (which is a sentence fragment). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but there are some inconsistencies in spacing and sentence construction. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of complex structures while ensuring subject-verb agreement will help improve your score in this criterion.

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