Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Nowadays some people are choosing to fly less often or stop flying completely. Although this can cause some problems for individuals and business, I believe that the environmental benefits of reducing air travel are greater.

Firstly reducing the number of flights can have several positive effects on the environment. The main benefits is that it can reduce air pollution and carbon emissions when fewer people travel by plane less fuel is burned which can help reduce global warming. Moreover airports and aircrafts also contribute to air pollution. If people reduce the number of flights the air quality can become better especially in areas near busy airports where a large number of planes take off and land every day. As a result reducing flights can help to create cleaner air and a healthier environment for people living nearby.

However reducing air travel can also have some disadvantage for individuals and businesses. Firstly flying is a fast and convenient way to travel long distances if people fly less they may need to spend more time travelling by trains or bus. Another disadvantage is that businesses also face problems because they need to use flights for international meetings and business trip if they reduce air travel it become more difficult to communicate with clients and business partners in other countries.

In conclusion reducing air travel can have some disadvantage for individuals and businesses. However, I believe that the environmental benefits are more important because it can be reduce air pollution and carbon emissions

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, though the development is somewhat limited. For instance, the discussion on business impacts is brief and lacks specific examples or depth. While the main points are clear, the essay would benefit from more detailed explanations or concrete examples to fully explore the implications of the argument. The conclusion is also quite abrupt and repeats the points made earlier without adding a final synthesis or a broader perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'However', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions are mechanical, and there is a lack of variety in the linking words used. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be improved by better connecting the supporting sentences to the main topic sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express ideas clearly. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. For example, the word 'reduce' is used frequently throughout the text. There are also some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'it become more difficult' instead of 'it becomes'. To reach a higher band, the student should aim to use a wider range of synonyms and more sophisticated collocations related to environmental issues and business travel, rather than relying on basic, high-frequency vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The main benefits is') and punctuation (e.g., missing commas in complex sentences). Some sentences are run-on, such as 'if they reduce air travel it become more difficult', which lacks proper punctuation. While the student attempts complex structures, these are often marred by errors. Improving control over basic grammar and punctuation would significantly enhance the clarity and professional tone of the writing.

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