Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-24

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)

Some individuals have chosen to reduce the number of flights they take every year or completely stop travelling in order to reduce pollution caused by airplanes and contribute towards sustainability. Although reducing air travel impacts the companies and individuals, I believe that the benefits of this movement outweigh these disadvantages.

Aircraft are one of the major sources of air and noise pollution. The smoke produced by these vehicles release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which traps heat and warms our planet. For example, in winter season, when fog gets mixed with the smoke produced by the airplanes, it creates smog which is the major problem in the subcontinent countries like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh these days. The smog affects the lungs of the people which leads to long term respiratory diseases. Airplanes consume large amounts of fuel and produce noise in areas near airports which affect the communities and wildlife in the surroundings. Reduced air traffic will result in the reduction of these aviation-related issues. Lower fuel consumption will consequently result in fewer carbon emissions each year and a substantial amount of energy will be conserved.

However, reducing air travel will have consequences for the businesses and the people who frequently travel internationally and domestically. Airlines may reduce the number of flights they operate due to the declining number of passengers. This would create problems for the frequent travellers, companies who operate at several locations, and tourism companies. Nevertheless, some of these difficulties can be mitigated through alternative forms of transport and digital communication. For example, video conferencing can replace some business trips, while rail services can provide an alternative to domestic flights.

In conclusion, although the reduced air travel will have negative consequences on certain sectors, the movement will encourage airlines to adopt greener technologies and become more sustainable in the future.

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 generally well-developed. The environmental arguments regarding smog and carbon emissions are supported with specific examples, such as the impact on South Asian countries. The counter-argument regarding businesses and travelers is also acknowledged and addressed with potential solutions like video conferencing. To reach a higher band, the student could further elaborate on the 'disadvantages' side, perhaps by discussing the economic impact on the aviation industry or the loss of global connectivity in more detail, ensuring a more balanced exploration of the prompt's complexity.

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 theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'For example', 'However', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the environmental benefits and the economic disadvantages is smooth. The referencing is generally clear, though some minor improvements in the variety of cohesive devices could make the flow even more sophisticated and less mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms such as 'sustainability', 'carbon emissions', 'aviation-related', and 'mitigated' correctly. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which adds precision to the argument. While the range is adequate, it is not particularly wide or sophisticated. Some phrases are slightly repetitive, and there is room for more idiomatic or collocated expressions to demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. Overall, the vocabulary is accurate and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar, and the majority of sentences are error-free. However, there are some minor slips, such as 'in winter season' (should be 'in the winter season') and 'subcontinent countries' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). The use of punctuation is generally correct, and the complex structures used, such as conditional or concessive clauses, are handled well. The errors present are non-systematic and do not cause any difficulty for the reader, fitting the criteria for a solid band 7.

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

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