Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-19

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 8.0)

In recent years, a growing movement of individuals has chosen to limit their air travel or abandon flying entirely due to environmental concerns. While this trend undoubtedly presents challenges for the aviation sector and alters personal travel habits, I firmly believe that the long-term environmental benefits far outweigh these disadvantages.

Admittedly, a reduction in flying carries both economic and personal drawbacks. For businesses, particularly those in the tourism, hospitality, and aviation industries, fewer passengers mean reduced revenue and potential job losses. Entire economies reliant on international tourism could face significant downturns. Additionally, some corporate operations rely on face-to-face meetings to build trust and close deals, which can be hindered by restricted travel. On a personal level, individuals may find it more difficult to visit family members living abroad or to experience diverse cultures firsthand, limiting global interconnectedness.

However, the environmental justification for this behavioral shift is compelling and urgent. The aviation industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides directly into the upper atmosphere, where they have a disproportionately high warming effect. By drastically cutting back on flights, the global carbon footprint can be meaningfully reduced. For example, a single transatlantic flight can generate more carbon emissions per passenger than the average citizen in a developing nation produces in an entire year. Mitigating the existential threat of climate change must supersede temporary economic and personal conveniences.

Furthermore, the disadvantages for businesses and individuals are becoming increasingly manageable thanks to modern alternatives. The widespread adoption of video conferencing tools, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, has proven that companies can conduct international business effectively without the need for constant, carbon-heavy air travel. Similarly, for individual travelers, the expansion of high-speed rail networks in regions like Europe and Asia offers a highly efficient, low-carbon alternative to short-haul flights, allowing people to explore and commute without the guilt of flying.

In conclusion, while reducing air travel does impose some restrictions on personal mobility and poses transitional challenges to specific economic sectors, the environmental gains are indispensable. Preserving the planet from catastrophic climate change is of paramount importance, and society already possesses the technological tools to adapt to a world with fewer flights.

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 are well-developed, with a balanced discussion of both the economic disadvantages and the environmental benefits. You provide specific examples, such as the comparison between transatlantic flight emissions and the annual carbon footprint of citizens in developing nations, which strengthens your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points, confirming that the environmental gains are paramount. The ideas are logically extended and supported, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and the environmental benefits is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Admittedly,' 'However,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion,' which guide the reader through your argument without being mechanical. The paragraphing is skillful, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure of the response. Referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, using precise and sophisticated terms such as 'existential threat,' 'disproportionately,' 'paramount importance,' and 'interconnectedness.' The word choices are natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or word choice. You successfully use less common lexical items to convey complex ideas with precision, which indicates a high level of control over the language. The vocabulary is varied and contributes significantly to the clarity and impact of your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional sentences, participial phrases, and varied sentence lengths. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use complex structures with full flexibility, such as 'While this trend undoubtedly presents challenges... I firmly believe that...' and '...the expansion of high-speed rail networks... offers a highly efficient, low-carbon alternative.' There are no significant grammatical errors, and the few slips that might occur are rare and do not impede communication in any way.

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