Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-03

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)

Some people have decided to cut down on traveling by plane on the grounds that it has a negative impact on the environment. I would argue that the disadvantages of this development overshadow the advantages as it is at the cost of efficiency and convenience.

First and foremost, it is worth acknowledging the reason why people want to reduce the number of times they fly every year. While individuals are going on a vacation by plane, their carbon footprint is increasing rapidly as planes can release far more greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide, than other modes of transport. This results in many environmental issues, such as global warming and floods. For instance, because of the increased sea level caused by melting icebergs, some island countries in Asia are struggling to save people's lives from floods.

Nevertheless, in order to address environmental issues fundamentally, governments ought to raise citizens' awareness first rather than simply encourage them to fly fewer times. For example, it is possible for elected officials to post some short videos on the internet in which people can learn the importance of protecting the environment and how to preserve natural resources. In addition to that, it must be realised that developing the economy and the quality of life is usually at odds with maintaining a sustainable environment. To illustrate this, after stopping using planes, some international companies may face several problems as lots of their meetings may be delayed. Similarly, on the individual level, people might travel internationally less and have fewer opportunities to experience other cultures, which is crucial for personal growth.

In conclusion, despite the fact that reducing the times of traveling by plane can accordingly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases, we cannot ignore this approach's downsides, such as causing inconvenience for companies and limiting personal growth. The better way to overcome the environmental issues we are facing might be making the general public aware of the current situations by taking advantage of social media.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. The ideas are relevant, such as the environmental impact of aviation versus the economic and cultural costs of reducing travel. However, the development is somewhat uneven. While the environmental argument is supported by the example of rising sea levels, the counter-argument regarding business and personal growth is a bit generalized. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples of how business operations are hindered by a lack of air travel, rather than stating it as a general possibility. Overall, the position is consistent and the main ideas are clear.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'Nevertheless', and 'In addition to that' effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the environmental argument from the economic and personal counter-arguments. The flow between sentences is generally smooth, although some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the structure is sound and supports the development of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'carbon footprint', 'greenhouse gases', and 'sustainable environment' are used accurately and appropriately in context. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, such as 'overshadow' and 'fundamentally'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the consistent flexibility and idiomatic control required for a higher band. Some word choices are functional but could be more precise; for instance, 'reducing the times of traveling' is slightly awkward and could be phrased more naturally. Overall, the vocabulary is clear and contributes to the message without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over complex sentences, such as 'While individuals are going on a vacation by plane, their carbon footprint is increasing rapidly'. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'reducing the times of traveling' (should be 'reducing the frequency of air travel') and 'after stopping using planes' (which is slightly clunky). However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede the reader's understanding. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the grammatical control is consistent throughout the text, meeting the criteria for a solid band 7.

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