Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-20

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 7.0)

## Reducing Air Travel

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are choosing to reduce the number of flights they take or stop flying altogether. This decision can have some disadvantages for individuals and businesses, but I believe that the environmental benefits of reducing air travel outweigh these drawbacks.

One major environmental benefit is that fewer flights can reduce air pollution. Airplanes use large amounts of fuel and produce harmful emissions during flights. If fewer people travel by air, the demand for flights may decrease, which can help reduce the amount of pollution released into the atmosphere. For example, people can choose trains or buses for shorter journeys instead of taking flights. As a result, reducing air travel can contribute to a cleaner environment.

Another important benefit is that using less aviation fuel can reduce carbon emissions. These emissions contribute to climate change and can have serious long-term effects on the planet. If more people choose alternative forms of transport, the amount of fuel used for air travel may decrease. This can help reduce the environmental impact of transportation and support efforts to protect the climate.

However, reducing air travel can create disadvantages for individuals and businesses. People may find it more difficult and time-consuming to travel long distances without flights. In addition, airlines, airports and tourism-related businesses may lose customers and earn less money. This could affect their profits and may lead to fewer job opportunities. Nevertheless, people can use trains, buses and online communication as alternatives in many situations.

In conclusion, reducing or stopping air travel may create some difficulties for individuals and businesses, particularly in terms of travel convenience and business income. However, I believe that the environmental benefits are more important because fewer flights can reduce air pollution and carbon emissions and help protect the planet in the long term.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, you provide specific environmental arguments regarding pollution and carbon emissions, and you acknowledge the counter-arguments regarding business and individual convenience. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your ideas by providing more concrete examples, such as mentioning specific industries like international tourism or the impact on global supply chains, rather than keeping the discussion at a general level. Overall, the position is consistent and well-supported throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, such as environmental benefits or the disadvantages for businesses. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'For example', 'In addition', and 'Nevertheless', to guide the reader through your arguments. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, you could vary your linking words slightly more to avoid a somewhat mechanical feel, but the current structure is clear and serves the purpose of the task well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'harmful emissions', 'long-term effects', and 'environmental impact' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and clear, it is somewhat functional and lacks a wider range of less common or more sophisticated collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band. The word choice is consistently accurate, and there are no spelling errors, which ensures that your message is conveyed clearly and professionally throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your use of punctuation is accurate. You successfully use conditional structures, such as 'If fewer people travel by air, the demand for flights may decrease', which adds variety to your writing. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice constructions or more varied subordinate clauses, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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