Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-30

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 7.0)

Some people have decided to reduce the number of times they fly each year or to stop flying altogether. Although this decision may have some disadvantages for individuals and businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits of reducing air travel outweigh these drawbacks.

The main benefits of flying less is that it can reduce environmental pollution. Aeroplanes produce a large amount of carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming and climate change. If fewer people travel by air, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced. Moreover, people may choose alternative forms of transport, such as trains and buses, which generally produce fewer emissions. For example, people travelling between nearby cities can use trains instead of taking flights, helping to reduce their impact on the environment.

On the other hand, reducing air travel can create difficulties for individuals and businesses. For individuals, flying is often the quickest and most convenient way to visit family members or travel to distant countries. For businesses, fewer flights may reduce international meetings and affect companies involved in tourism and air travel. For instance, airlines, hotels and travel agencies may lose customers if people decide to travel less. However, these disadvantages can be managed by using online meetings and alternative means of transport, whereas environmental damage can affect society for many years.

In conclusion, although reducing the number of flights can cause inconvenience for individuals and financial problems for some businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits are greater. Lower carbon emissions and reduced pollution are more important in the long term, particularly because climate change affects the whole of society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, the argument regarding carbon emissions is well-supported by the mention of alternative transport like trains. The counter-argument regarding business and individual convenience is also acknowledged and addressed. However, the development of the 'disadvantages' section is slightly brief. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples of how businesses might adapt beyond just 'online meetings,' perhaps discussing the economic shift toward local tourism. Overall, the response is well-focused and maintains a consistent stance throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, such as the environmental benefits in the second paragraph and the disadvantages in the third. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'Moreover,' 'On the other hand,' and 'For instance,' which help guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks is handled well, ensuring the essay flows logically from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'greenhouse gas emissions,' 'alternative forms of transport,' and 'financial problems' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the task, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the score to an 8.0 or 9.0. The word choices are generally safe and correct, but incorporating more nuanced academic collocations would enhance the quality of your writing. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For example, the use of conditional sentences ('If fewer people travel...') and complex sentences ('Although this decision may have...') is accurate. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the grammar is strong, the range of structures is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with more varied sentence types, such as passive voice constructions or inverted structures, to demonstrate greater flexibility. Nevertheless, your current control is consistent and clear.

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

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