Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-27

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 limit or entirely eliminate air travel from their lifestyles. While this shift introduces notable disruptions to personal convenience and corporate operations, I believe that the long-term ecological benefits far outweigh these immediate disadvantages.Admittedly, reducing commercial flights poses distinct challenges for individuals and businesses alike. For individuals, aviation is often the only practical means of maintaining face-to-face connections with overseas family members, meaning less frequent travel could strain personal relationships. For the corporate world, a sudden drop in flying could severely damage the global economy. Industries reliant on international commerce, such as tourism and global supply chains, would suffer immediate revenue losses, potentially leading to job cuts and slower economic growth.However, the positive environmental impacts of this trend are monumental and necessary. The aviation industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide directly into the upper atmosphere. By reducing flight frequencies, society can drastically lower its collective carbon footprint and slow down the pace of climate change. Furthermore, a decrease in air traffic helps preserve local ecosystems near major airports by minimizing severe noise and air pollution, directly improving the health and well-being of surrounding communities.In conclusion, although a reduction in flying introduces undeniable inconveniences for global businesses and long-distance personal travel, these drawbacks are temporary hurdles. The existential threat of climate change demands drastic action, making the profound environmental preservation achieved by reducing flights far more vital to our collective future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments regarding the disadvantages (personal relationships and economic impact) and the advantages (environmental preservation and health benefits) are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning. You effectively weigh the two sides, concluding that the environmental benefits are more significant. The ideas are relevant and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the topic, meeting the criteria 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 theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and the advantages is handled smoothly using the cohesive device 'However'. You use a range of linking words such as 'Admittedly', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the argument. The flow of the essay is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, which is characteristic of a high-level response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'existential threat', 'monumental', 'collective carbon footprint', and 'corporate operations' show a high level of lexical control and precision. The word choices are appropriate for an academic context and contribute to the clarity and sophistication of your arguments. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used naturally throughout the text. This reflects a strong command of English, suitable for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While this shift introduces...', 'Industries reliant on international commerce... would suffer...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of varied sentence structures enhances the readability and academic tone of the essay. You have demonstrated a high level of accuracy and flexibility in your writing.

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