Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-29

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 6.0)

It is widely argued that an increasing number of people are choosing to fly less frequently each year or avoid air travel altogether. Although this trend may have some disadvantages for individuals and businesses, I believe that its environmental benefits outweigh these drawbacks.

On the one hand, reducing air travel can provide significant environmental benefits. Airplanes consume large amounts of fuel, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. Moreover, reducing air travel can significantly lower carbon emissions, resulting in less air pollution and fewer greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. Therefore, if people avoid unnecessary flights, it can help protect the environment and reduce the harmful effects of climate change.

On the other hand, reducing air travel can create difficulties for businesses and individuals. Marketing professionals, for example, may need to travel to meet clients, negotiate contracts and establish business relationships. An international company may also need to send its employees abroad to meet overseas clients and finalize agreements. Air travel is also important for people who live far away from their families, as they often depend on flights to visit their relatives. If flights become less frequent or more expensive, maintaining these relationships could become more difficult.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel may create difficulties for businesses and individuals who depend on flights, I believe that the environmental benefits are more significant. Therefore, people should reduce unnecessary flights, while businesses can use alternatives such as video conferencing whenever possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the environmental benefits outweigh the drawbacks. However, the essay is slightly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of development. While the arguments regarding carbon emissions and business travel are relevant, they are somewhat generic. To achieve a higher band, you should provide more specific examples or data to support your claims. Because the essay is under-length, the development of ideas is curtailed, preventing a more thorough exploration of the topic. Ensure you meet the minimum word count in future tasks to allow for full expansion of your arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'Therefore' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices further to avoid repetitive structures and ensure that the transition between the environmental benefits and the business disadvantages is even smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'carbon emissions', 'greenhouse gases', and 'negotiate contracts' correctly. The language is generally natural and conveys your meaning clearly. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' items required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations or academic synonyms. For instance, instead of 'large amounts of fuel', you could use 'substantial quantities of aviation fuel'. The spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If people avoid...', 'If flights become...') and relative clauses effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, and there are very few errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and list items. To reach a higher band, you should aim for a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or more sophisticated subordinating conjunctions, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already achieved.

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

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