Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-02
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 5.0)
So in recent years it is increasing that people are choosing to fly less frequently or not at all, in order to reduce environmental impact. in my opinion advantages of this trend outweighs the disadvantages for individuals and businesses .
Their are clear environmental benefits to reducing air travel. Firstly, some study shows that aviation is one of the major source of carbon emission. For example, single long haul flight can emit as much CO2 per passenger as driving car for months. this suggests us that reducing number of flights can help us reducing environmental impact. Alternative options could be video calls, and using trains for shorter distance this can help further in same way.
However, this shift also create difficulties for individuals and businesses. For individuals, limited access to meet their family living abroad and also reduce travel experiences. For businesses companies relying on international trade, tourism, or in-person client relationships may suffer financially. For instances travel agency and related economy will suffer like staff involved in maintaining
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 169 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you state a clear position in the introduction, the arguments provided are underdeveloped. For instance, the discussion on the impact on businesses is cut off mid-sentence, preventing a full exploration of the topic. To improve, you must expand on your points with more detailed explanations and specific examples, ensuring that you fully address all parts of the prompt. The current length prevents a thorough discussion of the environmental benefits versus the economic disadvantages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition 'For instances' is grammatically incorrect and disrupts the flow. Additionally, the abrupt ending of the final paragraph indicates a lack of logical closure. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'on the other hand') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence followed by supporting details that lead to a logical conclusion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision expected for higher bands. You rely on simple phrasing, such as 'some study shows' and 'major source'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'this suggests us' (should be 'this suggests to us') and 'related economy' (which is vague). To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to environmental and economic topics. Avoid repetitive sentence structures and aim for more sophisticated vocabulary to express your ideas clearly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'it is increasing that people are choosing' (awkward phrasing), 'advantages... outweighs' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'Their are' (should be 'There are'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization at the start of sentences. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and sentence variety. Proofreading for basic errors like 'their/there' and ensuring complete sentence structures will significantly boost your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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