Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-25

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, a growing number of individuals and corporate entities have chosen to fly less frequently or abandon air travel altogether in an effort to combat climate change. While this trend presents notable economic and logistical hurdles for both individuals and businesses, the environmental benefits of reducing aviation emissions far outweigh these disadvantages.

On the one hand, the drawbacks of curtailing air travel are substantial. For individuals, cutting down on flights limits personal freedom, restricts cultural exploration, and makes visiting family or friends living abroad both difficult and time-consuming. For businesses, international travel is often vital for building client relationships, closing deals, and managing overseas operations. Relying solely on digital communication can hinder collaboration, put companies at a competitive disadvantage, and negatively impact industries dependent on global tourism, such as hospitality and aviation.

On the other hand, the ecological imperative to curb flying is undeniable. The aviation sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and because high-altitude emissions have a magnified warming effect, reducing the number of flights yields an immediate and significant drop in a person's or corporation's carbon footprint. Furthermore, this shift encourages innovation. As demand for traditional air travel drops, businesses are unpredictable to invest in more sustainable transport infrastructure, virtual meeting technologies, and greener alternative fuels, fostering a broader transition toward a low-carbon economy.

In conclusion, although reducing or eliminating air travel creates real inconveniences for personal mobility and global commerce, the long-term environmental protection it offers is critical. Mitigating the catastrophic impacts of climate change is a far greater priority, making the ecological benefits outweigh the short-term disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments for both sides are well-developed, providing specific examples such as the impact on personal freedom and family visits versus the ecological imperative of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, confirming that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are extended and supported logically, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the drawbacks and the benefits is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of referencing and substitution is effective, ensuring that the text flows naturally. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, and the overall structure is coherent, making the argument easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'ecological imperative', 'curtailing air travel', and 'low-carbon economy' show a sophisticated command of the language. There is a high level of accuracy in word choice and collocation throughout the text. While there is a minor error in the phrase 'businesses are unpredictable to invest' (which should likely be 'are prompted to invest' or 'are likely to invest'), this does not impede communication and is a rare slip in an otherwise strong performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures, including conditional-like structures and well-constructed subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. For instance, the sentence 'While this trend presents notable economic and logistical hurdles... the environmental benefits... far outweigh these disadvantages' is a complex, error-free construction. The grammar is consistently accurate, and the few minor slips do not detract from the overall clarity or professional tone of the writing.

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