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)
An increasing number of individuals are choosing to limit or completely eliminate air travel from their lives to minimize their carbon footprint. While this shift imposes undeniable economic and personal constraints on businesses and individuals, I believe that the long-term environmental benefits far outweigh these temporary disadvantages.On the one hand, reducing air travel introduces significant challenges for both commerce and personal life. For businesses, international aviation is a cornerstone of globalization. Companies rely heavily on flights for rapid supply chain management, cargo shipping, and face-to-face international meetings that build corporate trust. Without air travel, international trade slows down drastically, impacting sectors like tourism and global logistics. For individuals, avoiding flights severely restricts personal mobility. It complicates migrating or visiting family members living across continents and limits opportunities to experience diverse cultures firsthand through tourism.On the other hand, the environmental preservation achieved by reducing flights is crucial and urgent. The aviation industry is one of the fastest-growing contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides directly into the upper atmosphere. Unlike ground transportation, which is gradually transitioning to electric alternatives, commercial aviation remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Therefore, a collective reduction in air travel is one of the most immediate and effective ways to curb global warming. For instance, the drastic drop in commercial flights during the 2020 global lockdowns resulted in measurable improvements in air quality and a sharp decline in global emissions, proving that reducing air traffic has an immediate, positive ecological impact.In conclusion, although curbing air travel hinders global business operations and restricts personal convenience, these drawbacks are secondary to the survival of the planet. Given the severe threat of climate change, the environmental rewards of flying less vastly outweigh the economic and personal sacrifices.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
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. Both the disadvantages (economic and personal) and the environmental benefits are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of supply chain management and the 2020 global lockdowns. The ideas are logically extended, providing a balanced view before concluding that the environmental necessity takes precedence. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question regarding whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the disadvantages and the advantages is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is logical, moving from the problem to the solution and finally to a summary. The use of linking words such as 'Therefore', 'For instance', and 'Although' is natural and effective, ensuring the reader can follow your argument without difficulty.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and sophistication. Phrases such as 'cornerstone of globalization', 'rapid supply chain management', and 'curb global warming' demonstrate a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choices are natural and contribute to a formal, academic tone. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used flexibly to express complex ideas clearly. The language is well-suited to the task and enhances the overall quality of the argument.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and effective use of passive voice. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is accurate throughout. You have successfully integrated various sentence types to maintain flow and clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the control over tense and agreement is consistent. The writing is polished and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.
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