Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-17

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 5.0)

Small fraction of people have made decision to use an airplane less for travelling or to stop using completely. I strongly believe that the environmental benefit the we will get by travelling less with an airplane can outweigh the disadvantages for people in their individuals life and businesses.

Deciding to reduce the use of airways as transportation or completely stop using altogether creates a environmental benefit. Airplane use fuels in large quantity which is harm full for atmosphere as they release wastes while travelling, to make new airports generally areas outside city or town are used where large number of plants and trees are cut many animals are left without shelter, Metals are also extracted from earth to make new planes which effect earth surface, they use radar while flying that affect many birds nervous system

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the development of ideas. While you state a clear position, the arguments regarding the disadvantages for individuals and businesses are entirely absent. The essay focuses only on the environmental benefits, failing to address the second half of the prompt. To improve, you must ensure all parts of the question are answered and provide sufficient supporting evidence and examples to meet the length requirement. The current response is too brief to demonstrate the ability to develop an argument fully.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a clear structure. There is no introduction that effectively paraphrases the prompt, and the body paragraphs are not well-organized. The use of cohesive devices is minimal, making the flow of ideas disjointed. For instance, the transition between the environmental impact of flying and the construction of airports is abrupt. To achieve a higher band, you should use clear paragraphing, with each paragraph focusing on a single main idea, and employ a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'on the other hand') to connect your thoughts logically.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. There are several errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'harm full' (harmful), 'use airways' (use air travel), and 'effect earth surface' (affect the earth's surface). The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on simple terms that do not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, focus on learning topic-specific collocations related to the environment and transportation, and ensure you check your spelling and word forms carefully before finalizing your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('a environmental benefit'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple, and there is a lack of complex structures. For example, 'Airplane use fuels in large quantity which is harm full for atmosphere' is grammatically incorrect and lacks proper punctuation. To improve, practice using a variety of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and conditional sentences, while paying closer attention to basic grammar rules like articles and prepositions.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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