Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-12

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)

In recent years, some people have decided to reduce the number of times they travel by air each year, while others have chosen to stop flying completely. This trend is mainly motivated by concerns about climate change and environmental pollution. In my opinion, the environmental benefits of reducing air travel outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses, although there can be some practical difficulties.

One of the main advantages of reducing air travel is that it can help protect the environment. Aircraft consume large amounts of fuel and produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, if fewer people fly, the overall demand for aviation fuel can decrease, which may contribute to reducing carbon emissions. This is particularly important because climate change is becoming a serious global problem. In addition, reducing unnecessary flights can encourage people to use alternative forms of transport, such as trains and buses, which are generally more environmentally friendly for many journeys. For example, instead of taking a short domestic flight, a person could travel by train and use the journey as an opportunity to enjoy the scenery.

However, there are some disadvantages to reducing air travel. For individuals, flying is often the fastest and most convenient way to travel long distances. People may need to spend considerably more time travelling if they choose trains or buses instead. This can be especially inconvenient when visiting family members who live in another country. Furthermore, international tourism is an important source of income for many countries, so a significant reduction in air travel could affect hotels, restaurants, airlines and other businesses that depend on tourists.

Businesses may also face difficulties because employees often need to travel internationally for meetings, conferences and other professional activities. Nevertheless, modern technology provides useful alternatives. Video-conferencing platforms allow companies to communicate with clients and colleagues without requiring frequent business flights.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel can create inconvenience for individuals and businesses, I believe its environmental benefits are more significant. A sensible approach would be to avoid unnecessary flights while continuing to use air travel when it is genuinely needed. This could help reduce environmental damage without completely limiting people's ability to travel and conduct business.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding environmental benefits are well-supported with logical reasoning, such as the mention of greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for alternative transport. The disadvantages for individuals and businesses are also addressed, providing a balanced view. The ideas are well-developed, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. You have successfully navigated the 'outweigh' aspect of the prompt by providing a nuanced final verdict that acknowledges the necessity of air travel while advocating for moderation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the environmental benefits, moving to the disadvantages for individuals and businesses, and concluding with a balanced summary. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'Nevertheless', which help the reader follow your argument without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'environmentally friendly', 'greenhouse gas emissions', and 'professional activities' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is generally appropriate and natural, it stays within a relatively standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations or idiomatic expressions. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the language used is consistently appropriate for an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'if fewer people fly, the overall demand... can decrease'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which indicates a high level of control. While the range of complex structures is solid, further experimentation with more advanced grammatical forms, such as inversion or more varied subordinate clauses, could elevate the score further. Overall, your writing is clear, accurate, and easy to read.

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