Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In recent years, an increasing number of people have chosen to reduce their air travel or to stop flying altogether because of growing environmental concerns. Although this development may create some difficulties for individuals and businesses, I believe that its environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

To commence with, reducing the number of flights can significantly benefit the environment. Air travel is the major source of carbon emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change. If people choose to travel less by air, the demand for flights is likely to decline, resulting in lower emissions from the aviation industry. Furthermore, reduced air flights can help limit other forms of pollution associated with airports. For example, these days people choose to commute by planes domestically which causes air pollution, instead of planes people could travel by trains which would reduce the the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. Therefore, reducing air travel can contribute to cleaner environment and to reduce the sudden climate change.

On the other hand, avoiding flights can cause certain disadvantages for individuals and businesses. People may find it difficult and time consuming to travel long distances, while companies may face challenges to build international business relationships. Face to face meetings are sometimes more effective than online communication, particularly when businesses need to negotiate important agreements or build professional relationships. For instance, an international company may need its employees to visit overseas offices or meet foreign clients in person. Nevertheless, these difficulties can be reduced through alternatives such as video conferencing and high speed rail where available. Thus, making environmental advantages more significant.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel can cause inconvenience for individuals and businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits are greater. Lower carbon emissions and reduced pollution make this development sustainable in the long term.

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 logically developed. The first body paragraph effectively discusses the environmental impact, while the second acknowledges the drawbacks for businesses and individuals before offering counter-arguments. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or data to support the claims, such as mentioning the specific carbon footprint of short-haul flights versus rail travel, which would add more depth to the argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the environmental benefits and the business disadvantages is well-managed. The response demonstrates a clear sense of structure, though some transitions could be slightly more varied to enhance the flow further.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'carbon emissions', 'global warming', 'aviation industry', and 'video conferencing'. While the range is adequate, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or idiomatic usage that would characterize a higher band. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise collocations and less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over grammar, and the majority of sentences are error-free. However, there are a few minor slips, such as 'the the' (repetition) and 'contribute to cleaner environment' (missing article 'a'). The use of complex structures is generally accurate, but the range could be expanded to include more varied subordinate clauses or advanced grammatical forms. Punctuation is generally correct, and the errors present do not interfere with the clarity of the message.

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

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