Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

Beyond doubt, Some people have decided to reduce the number of times they fly every year or to stop flying altogether. Although this decision may cause some disadvantages for individuals and businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits are greater.

The phenomenon. One major advantage of reducing air travel is that it can help protect the environment. Airplanes produce a large amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. If fewer people travel by air, the amount of pollution can be reduced. In addition, people may choose trains or buses instead of airplanes for shorter journeys. These forms of transport are generally less harmful to the environment. Therefore, reducing flights can be an effective way to fight climate change.

However, there are some disadvantages for individuals and businesses. For individuals, flying is often the fastest and most convenient way to travel long distances. If people stop flying, they may spend more time travelling by other forms of transport. For businesses, air travel is sometimes necessary for meetings, international projects and developing relationships with customers. Reducing business flights could make communication more difficult and may also reduce business opportunities. Nevertheless, many meetings can now be held online using video calls.

In conclusion, reducing the number of flights may create some problems for individuals and businesses, especially in terms of convenience and international communication. However, I believe that the environmental benefits outweigh these disadvantages because fewer flights can reduce pollution and help protect the planet for future generations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, with clear arguments provided for both sides of the issue. The essay is well-structured, moving from the environmental advantages to the individual and business disadvantages, before concluding with a summary of the writer's stance. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis of the 'environmental benefits'—for instance, mentioning specific types of pollution or the impact of aviation on the ozone layer—to further extend the development of the ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central focus, and the transition between the environmental benefits and the disadvantages is handled effectively using the cohesive device 'However'. The use of linking words such as 'In addition', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through the argument. However, the sentence 'The phenomenon.' at the start of the second paragraph is a sentence fragment that disrupts the flow. Improving the integration of such transitions would enhance the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student employs terms like 'global warming', 'greenhouse gases', and 'international projects' effectively. While the range is adequate, it is somewhat functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher score, the student should aim to incorporate more precise or less common collocations and academic vocabulary. For example, instead of 'large amount', using 'significant volume' or 'substantial quantity' would demonstrate a more advanced lexical range. The current vocabulary is accurate and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a minor punctuation error in the opening sentence where 'Some' is capitalized mid-sentence, and the fragment 'The phenomenon.' is grammatically incomplete. However, these are minor slips that do not impede understanding. The student shows a solid grasp of complex structures, such as the use of conditional sentences ('If fewer people travel...') and concessive clauses ('Although this decision may...'). Continued focus on proofreading for minor punctuation and sentence fragments will help improve the accuracy.

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