Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

These days, more people are choosing to fly less, or not at all, because they're worried about the environmental cost. It's true that cutting back on flying leads to real cuts in emissions, but it also makes life harder in practical terms, both for ordinary travelers and for global business. Still, I think the environmental upside is worth more than the inconvenience it causes.

Let's start with the downsides, because they're real. Companies that operate internationally still depend a lot on face-to-face contact, trade shows, and site visits abroad, and long-haul flights are usually how that happens. Cut back on business travel too quickly and deals can stall, partnerships can suffer, trade slows down. It's not so different for individuals either. Fewer flights means fewer chances to see the world, fewer long trips, and for people with family overseas, fewer visits home. Trains and ships sound nice in theory, but they don't really work as a replacement in most cases, either there's an ocean in the way or the trip just takes too long for a normal holiday.

But here's the thing: flying is genuinely one of the worst things we do for the climate. It pumps huge amounts of CO2 and nitrogen oxides straight into the upper atmosphere, and unlike cars or trains, planes can't really be electrified yet. Batteries are still too heavy for the amount of power a plane needs, so aviation is stuck running on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future. That means every short flight someone skips, in favor of a train or just staying local, actually makes a noticeable difference to their personal footprint.

And a lot of what businesses worry about losing can be handled another way. We've already seen, especially over the last few years, that video calls and remote collaboration tools can stand in for a lot of meetings that used to require a flight. Companies that lean into this cut costs and cut emissions at the same time, without giving up much in return.

So yes, flying less causes friction, for companies trying to grow internationally and for people who just want to travel or see family. But most of that friction can be worked around, using the tools we already have. Given how serious the climate situation has become, I'd say the environmental payoff is worth the trade-off.

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 both the disadvantages (business disruption, personal inconvenience) and the environmental benefits are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of video conferencing as a viable alternative to business travel. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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 'Still,' 'But here's the thing,' and 'So yes,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'environmental footprint,' 'remote collaboration tools,' and 'foreseeable future' show a level of sophistication. While the language is generally natural and precise, there is room to incorporate more academic or topic-specific collocations to reach the highest band. The vocabulary is used accurately throughout, and there are no instances where word choice impedes communication or causes confusion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use punctuation correctly and maintain grammatical accuracy throughout the text. There are no significant errors that distract the reader. While the writing is clear and accurate, incorporating a slightly wider variety of complex grammatical structures—such as more advanced conditional sentences or passive constructions—would further enhance the range. Overall, the control of grammar is strong and consistent.

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