Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-14

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)

### IELTS Writing Task 2 — Sample Answer

In recent years, some people have chosen to fly less frequently or have stopped travelling by air completely. Although this decision may create some difficulties for individuals and businesses, I believe that the **environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages**.

One major advantage of reducing air travel is that it can help to reduce **carbon emissions**. Airplanes produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. If fewer people travel by plane, the demand for flights may decrease, leading to lower emissions. In addition, people may choose alternative forms of transport, such as trains and buses, which are generally more environmentally friendly.

However, reducing air travel can have some disadvantages. For individuals, flying is often the fastest and most convenient way to travel long distances. People may find it difficult to visit family members, study abroad or enjoy international holidays. Businesses can also suffer because companies often depend on air travel for meetings, international partnerships and business opportunities. As a result, reducing flights could affect their productivity and profits.

Despite these disadvantages, I believe the environmental benefits are more important in the long term. Individuals can use video calls instead of travelling for some purposes, while businesses can conduct online meetings. For necessary journeys, people can also consider trains or other forms of public transport where possible.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel may cause inconvenience for individuals and businesses, **I believe the positive effects on the environment outweigh these disadvantages**, particularly because it can help reduce pollution and 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. For instance, the essay discusses carbon emissions and alternative transport as environmental benefits, while acknowledging the convenience of air travel for individuals and business productivity. The argument is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis, such as mentioning the impact of specific industries or the role of government policy in promoting sustainable travel, which would further extend the development of the ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as environmental benefits in the second paragraph and disadvantages in the third. Cohesive devices like 'In addition,' 'However,' and 'As a result' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is handled well. The structure is clear and supports the overall argument effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student employs topic-specific terms such as 'carbon emissions,' 'greenhouse gases,' 'environmentally friendly,' and 'productivity.' The range is adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly. While the vocabulary is accurate, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, the student should aim to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'mitigate,' 'detrimental,' or 'sustainable alternatives,' to demonstrate a wider and more precise range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Although this decision may create some difficulties..., I believe that...' and 'If fewer people travel by plane, the demand for flights may decrease.' The grammar is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The punctuation is used correctly throughout the text. To reach a higher band, the student could experiment with a greater variety of complex sentence structures, such as using more passive voice or conditional forms to add nuance to the argument.

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.