Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Flying around the world has a severe impact on the environment. This has led people to decrease the total number of times they fly annually or to travel by other means. While this decision is associated with drawbacks that affect businesses, I firmly believe that the long-term environmental benefits far outweigh these short-term economic disadvantages.The primary advantage of reducing or eliminating air travel to commute to different destinations is that it substantially reduces air pollution and improves people's health. When a large proportion of airplane travel is not operated, it significantly decreases greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. As airplanes consume high amounts of fuel and release polluted gases, this travel pattern negatively affects human respiratory systems and overall life quality. For example, a single flight traveling from Canada to the UK releases a high volume of gases that are ultimately inhaled by humans, resulting in conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.However, despite these benefits for individuals, this approach to addressing air pollution contributes negatively to the financial growth of businesses. When people decide to travel by eco-friendly alternatives instead of using airplanes, many corporations face financial hardships, forcing them to close their businesses and decrease employment availability. For instance, when people avoid traveling by aircraft, ticket sales drop, and thereby the revenue of airline companies declines.In conclusion, although avoiding commuting by plane causes financial drawbacks for company owners, the environmental and public health benefits are far more vital. Because climate change presents a global crisis, saving the environment ultimately outweighs the economic disadvantages suffered by industries.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, clearly stating your position that environmental benefits outweigh economic disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. You provide a clear argument for the environmental impact and a counter-argument regarding business losses. To reach a higher band, ensure that your examples are more specific and fully explored; for instance, the example regarding the flight from Canada to the UK is a good start, but could be expanded to explain the broader economic impact on the tourism sector specifically, rather than just general 'airline companies'. Overall, the response is well-focused and maintains a consistent position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'While this decision', 'The primary advantage', 'However', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader through your argument. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. To improve, ensure that the transition between the environmental benefits and the economic drawbacks is slightly more nuanced to avoid a mechanical feel. The use of referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the length of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'substantially reduces', 'greenhouse gas emissions', and 'financial hardships' are used effectively. There is an awareness of style and collocation, although some word choices are slightly repetitive or could be more sophisticated. For example, 'traveling by aircraft' could be replaced with 'air travel' or 'aviation'. You avoid basic errors, and your vocabulary is adequate to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'When people decide to travel...' and the concessive 'Although avoiding commuting...'. The grammar is generally accurate, and your sentences are easy to follow. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. To aim for a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or inverted conditionals, to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility. Punctuation is used correctly, and the overall control of grammar is solid.

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