Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-22

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)

Some people have chosen to fly less frequently or to stop travelling by air altogether. Although this decision can create certain disadvantages for individuals and businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits outweigh these drawbacks.

One major advantage of reducing air travel is that it can help decrease air pollution and carbon emissions. Aeroplanes consume large amounts of fuel and produce greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. If fewer people fly, the overall demand for air travel may decline, leading to lower emissions. In addition, people may choose trains or buses for shorter journeys, which can be more environmentally friendly. For example, travelling by train between nearby cities can significantly reduce the environmental impact compared with taking a flight.

However, reducing air travel can cause difficulties for individuals. People may have fewer opportunities to visit family members who live abroad or to experience different cultures. It can also make international travel more expensive or time-consuming when alternative forms of transport are unavailable. Businesses may face even greater challenges because international companies often depend on flights for meetings, conferences and overseas operations. For instance, a company that regularly communicates with international clients may find it harder to maintain strong business relationships without face-to-face meetings.

Despite these disadvantages, I believe the environmental benefits are more significant in the long term. Businesses can increasingly use video conferencing for meetings, while individuals can choose alternative transport where possible. Although flying remains important for long-distance travel, reducing unnecessary flights can make a meaningful contribution to protecting the environment.

In conclusion, while flying less can limit personal travel opportunities and create difficulties for some businesses, I believe the reduction in pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions makes this development beneficial overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding environmental benefits are well-developed, and you have provided a balanced view by acknowledging the disadvantages for individuals and businesses. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the use of video conferencing as an alternative to business travel. The conclusion effectively summarises your main points and reinforces your stance. To reach a higher band, you could further elaborate on the 'environmental benefits' by mentioning specific types of pollution or the long-term impact on global climate targets.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the environmental benefits and the disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate linking phrases like 'However' and 'Despite these disadvantages'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'In addition', 'For example', and 'In conclusion'. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall flow of the argument. The structure is clear and easy to follow, which demonstrates a good command of coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'environmentally friendly', 'meaningful contribution', and 'overseas operations' are used correctly and naturally. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more precise, less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations related to environmental policy or economic impact. For instance, instead of 'help decrease', you could use 'mitigate' or 'alleviate'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional 'If fewer people fly, the overall demand... may decline'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free. To improve further, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more sophisticated passive constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility in your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.