Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-09

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)

Some people have chosen to reduce the frequency with which they travel by air or to abandon air travel altogether. Although this trend may create certain difficulties for individuals and businesses, I believe that its environmental benefits far outweigh these disadvantages.

There are several drawbacks associated with reducing air travel. For individuals, the most obvious consequence is a loss of convenience, particularly for those who need to travel long distances regularly. Airplanes enable people to visit relatives, pursue educational opportunities and experience different cultures within a relatively short period of time. If people were to avoid flying completely, many international journeys would become considerably longer and more expensive. Businesses could also be adversely affected, especially those that rely on face-to-face meetings with overseas clients or partners. For instance, companies operating across several countries may find it more difficult to maintain commercial relationships if their employees are unable to travel efficiently.

Nevertheless, the environmental advantages of reducing air travel are considerably more significant. Aviation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the increasing number of flights contributes to the long-term problem of climate change. If fewer people travelled by plane, the demand for flights would decline, potentially resulting in lower emissions from the aviation industry. Moreover, a reduction in air travel could encourage the use of more sustainable alternatives, particularly rail transport. In many regions, high-speed trains can provide a practical substitute for short- and medium- distance flights, while producing substantially less pollution. Consequently, reducing unnecessary flights could contribute to a more sustainable transport system without preventing essential international travel.

In conclusion, although limiting air travel could inconvenience individuals and create challenges for internationally connected businesses, I am convinced that the environmental benefits outweigh these drawbacks. Reducing unnecessary flights would help lower greenhouse-gas emissions and could encourage societies to adopt cleaner alternatives to air travel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide a balanced view by acknowledging the disadvantages for individuals and businesses, such as the loss of convenience and the impact on commercial relationships, before presenting a well-supported argument for why the environmental benefits are more significant. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention of high-speed rail as a sustainable alternative. The response is well-developed and directly answers the question posed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the drawbacks and the benefits is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'Nevertheless' and 'Consequently'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different aspects of the argument. The use of referencing is precise, and the flow of information is natural, making the text easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'abandon air travel altogether', 'adversely affected', and 'sustainable alternatives' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choices are precise and contribute to the clarity of your argument. While the vocabulary is accurate and effective, it stays within a standard academic register. To reach the highest band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations, but the current range is more than sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences ('If people were to avoid...') and relative clauses. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of complex ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence. The structure is varied, which keeps the reader engaged and demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of English syntax.

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