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)
In recent years, an increasing number of individuals have chosen to reduce their air travel or stop flying altogether due to environmental concerns. While reducing flights leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions, it also creates practical difficulties for personal travel and global business. Nevertheless, I believe that the environmental benefits of this trend outweigh the disadvantages.
On the one hand, restricting air travel causes clear challenges for individuals and businesses. International companies rely heavily on long-distance flights for face-to-face meetings, trade shows, and managing operations overseas. A sudden decrease in business travel can delay negotiations and slow down global trade. On an individual level, flying less limits opportunities for international holiday travel and visiting family members who live abroad. Alternative options, such as trains or ships, are often not practical for cross-ocean travel or short holiday periods.
On the other hand, the environmental advantages of flying less are significant. Aviation is a major source of carbon emissions, releasing carbon dioxide and other harmful gases directly into the atmosphere. Unlike road transport, which can use electric power, commercial planes still rely almost entirely on fossil fuels because current battery technology is too heavy. Therefore, choosing to take fewer flights or replacing short-haul flights with train travel noticeably reduces an individual's carbon footprint.
Additionally, many of the drawbacks for businesses can be managed using technology. The widespread use of video calls and online collaboration platforms shows that physical presence is not always necessary for business operations. Replacing routine travel with digital meetings helps companies save money while reducing their environmental impact at the same time.
In conclusion, although cutting down on air travel creates inconveniences for personal trips and business growth, these issues can largely be managed with modern communication tools. Given the serious nature of climate change, the environmental benefits of reduced flying are more important than the drawbacks.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
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 disadvantages for business and individuals and the environmental benefits. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of video conferencing as a substitute for business travel, which effectively supports your argument. The conclusion provides a clear summary that reinforces your stance. The ideas are logically extended, and the response is well-focused on the topic throughout.
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 paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Additionally.' The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an argumentative essay. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the environmental benefits and the mitigation of business drawbacks is clearly articulated, ensuring the reader can follow your argument without difficulty.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases such as 'greenhouse gas emissions,' 'commercial planes,' 'fossil fuels,' and 'online collaboration platforms' are used accurately and in the correct context. The vocabulary is sufficiently flexible to express complex ideas clearly. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. However, the word choice is consistently precise, and there are no errors that impede communication or cause confusion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While reducing flights leads to...', 'Unlike road transport, which can use...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. You maintain consistent control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement throughout the text. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical structures used are sophisticated enough to support the development of your arguments effectively.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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