Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-10
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 6.0)
A growing number of individuals are opting to limit or completely avoid air travel in an effort to curb carbon emissions. Although this trend presents certain inconveniences for personal mobility and commercial operations, I firmly believe that the environmental advantages far outweigh these drawbacks.
On the one hand, reducing air travel poses noticeable challenges for both individuals and businesses. For travelers, flying is often the fastest and most practical way to visit family abroad or experience different cultures, so foregoing flights can restrict personal opportunities and lengthen journey times. For businesses, face-to-face meetings and international conferences build crucial trust and facilitate trade. Replacing air travel with slower ground transport can diminish efficiency, while relying solely on digital communication may occasionally hinder complex negotiations.
On the other hand, the environmental benefits of reduced flying are critical and far-reaching. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide directly into the upper atmosphere. Because alternative, zero-emission technologies for commercial aircraft remain in early development, curbing flight frequency is currently the most immediate way to lower the sector’s carbon footprint.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, as it is only 186 words long. This significantly impacts the development of the argument. While you clearly state your position in the introduction and provide relevant points for both sides, the discussion is truncated. To reach a higher band, you must extend your ideas with more detailed explanations and specific examples. The current length prevents a full exploration of the environmental benefits versus the disadvantages, leading to an under-developed response that does not fully satisfy the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction and distinct paragraphs for each side of the argument. You use transition signals such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' effectively to guide the reader through your points. However, because the essay ends abruptly without a conclusion, the overall progression is incomplete. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of ideas within the existing paragraphs is logical and easy to follow. To improve, ensure you include a concluding paragraph that summarizes your main points and restates your position.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'curb carbon emissions', 'commercial operations', 'facilitate trade', and 'greenhouse gas emissions' accurately. The language is generally natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to add nuance to your argument. Overall, your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and precisely.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'Although this trend presents certain inconveniences...' and 'Because alternative, zero-emission technologies... remain in early development...'. The sentences are largely error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. The control over complex structures is evident, and there are no errors that impede communication. To improve, aim for a greater variety of complex grammatical structures to demonstrate even higher flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.