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 chosen to reduce the number of times they fly each year or to stop flying completely. Although this can cause some disadvantages for individuals and businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits of reducing air travel outweigh these drawbacks.

One major advantage of flying less is that it can help reduce environmental damage. Air travel produces a significant amount of gas emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate change. If fewer people travel by plane, the demand for flights and the amount of pollution produced by the aviation industry could gradually decrease. Moreover, people may choose more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as trains or buses, for shorter journeys. For example, in many European countries, travellers can use high-speed trains instead of planes when travelling between nearby cities. This development could also encourage businesses to use online meetings, which would reduce unnecessary business trips and save both time and money.

However, reducing air travel can also create disadvantages for individuals and businesses. For individuals, flying is often the easiest way to visit family members who live in other countries, travel for education or experience different cultures. Businesses may also depend on international flights to meet clients, attend conferences and establish partnerships. Face-to-face meetings can sometimes be more effective than online communication, particularly when important business decisions are being made. In addition, countries that rely heavily on tourism could suffer financially if fewer people travel by air, affecting hotels, restaurants and other related businesses.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel may limit personal freedom and create difficulties for some businesses, I believe its positive impact on the environment is more important. Therefore, the environmental benefits of flying less outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, with specific examples provided for both sides of the argument, such as the mention of high-speed trains in Europe and the impact on tourism-dependent economies. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reinforces the writer's stance. To reach a higher band, the essay could benefit from more nuanced exploration of the 'business' aspect, perhaps by discussing the long-term economic shifts rather than just the immediate impact on travel.

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 environmental benefits and the disadvantages is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'For example', 'However', and 'In addition' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'gas emissions', 'aviation industry', 'environmentally friendly alternatives', and 'international flights'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would characterize a band 8 or 9. The word choices are generally standard and functional, which is perfectly adequate for a band 7 score. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('If fewer people travel...') and concessive clauses ('Although this can cause...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the range of structures is solid, it does not consistently display the 'wide range' of complex structures required for the highest bands. However, the control is consistent, and there are no errors that impede communication.

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

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