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 have chosen to minimize or entirely eliminate air travel from their routines in an effort to reduce global warming. Although this idea presents clear challenges for personal convenience and commercial growth, the long-term ecological benefits far outweigh these temporary drawbacks.

On the one hand, reducing air travel poses notable disadvantages for both individuals and commercial entities. For travelers, flying remains the most efficient mode of long-distance transport. Restricting flights often means spending significantly more time commuting via trains or buses, or missing out entirely on overseas vacations and international cultural experiences. For businesses, face-to-face interactions are often critical for building international partnerships and closing deals; relying solely on virtual communication can effect relationship building. Furthermore, industries heavily dependent on global mobility, such as tourism and international hospitality, face direct financial losses when passenger numbers decline.

On the other hand, the environmental benefits of reduced air travel are immense and vital for global sustainability. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides directly into the upper atmosphere. Unlike ground transportation, which can more easily transition to renewable electricity, aviation technology currently lacks scalable, zero-emission alternatives for long-haul travel. Consequently, individual actions to limit air travel yield an immediate and substantial reduction in personal carbon footprints. When multiplied across millions of consumers, this behavioral shift forces airlines to optimize flight routes, reduce unnecessary capacity, and accelerate investment in greener technologies.

In conclusion, while cutting down on flights causes unacceptable inconvenience for travelers. The environmental preservation gained by reducing aviation emissions ultimately outweighs the short-term sacrifices required of individuals and companies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

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 both the disadvantages for individuals/businesses and the environmental benefits are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning. The distinction between ground and air transportation adds depth to your argument. The response is balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. To reach a higher band, ensure that every point is fully extended; for instance, the impact on the tourism industry could be slightly more detailed, but overall, the task response is excellent.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and the environmental benefits is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct arguments. The use of linking words is generally accurate and unobtrusive, contributing to a coherent whole. There is a minor punctuation error in the final paragraph where a sentence fragment is created, but this does not significantly disrupt the logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'commercial entities', 'global mobility', 'scalable, zero-emission alternatives', and 'behavioral shift' are sophisticated and used accurately. There is a good awareness of collocation and style. While there is a minor error in the phrase 'can effect relationship building' (should be 'affect'), this is a single slip and does not impede communication. The vocabulary is varied and contributes to a professional and academic tone throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over complex structures is strong. There is one minor punctuation error in the conclusion: 'while cutting down on flights causes unacceptable inconvenience for travelers. The environmental...' creates a sentence fragment. However, this is an isolated error in an otherwise highly accurate piece of writing. The use of modal verbs and conditional structures is handled with precision, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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