Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-04

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)

Some people have decided to fly less often every year or stop flying completely. This can have some disadvantages for people and businesses, but I think the environmental benefits are more important.

There are some advantages of reducing air travel. The main benefit is that it can help the environment. Airplanes produce a lot of pollution and carbon dioxide. This pollution is one of the reasons for climate change. If people fly less, there will be fewer flights and less pollution. Also, people can use other types of transport such as trains and buses for short journeys. This can be better for the environment.

However, there are also some disadvantages for individuals and businesses. For individuals, flying less means that they may not be able to visit other countries easily. They may also find it difficult to visit friends and family who live far away. For businesses, air travel is sometimes important because workers need to meet customers or business partners in other countries. If they stop flying, some business activities may become more difficult.

In my opinion, the environmental benefits are greater than these disadvantages. People can use video calls instead of travelling for some meetings. They can also use trains when travelling to nearby places. Although stopping air travel completely may not be possible for everyone, reducing the number of flights can still help to protect the environment.

In conclusion, reducing air travel can cause some problems for individuals and businesses, but it has important benefits for the environment. Therefore, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, covering both the environmental impact and the practical implications for individuals and businesses. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the point about business travel could be extended with more specific examples or a deeper analysis of the economic impact. While the position is clear throughout, the supporting arguments remain at a general level, which limits the depth of the response. To reach a higher band, you should aim to provide more detailed explanations or concrete examples to fully develop your points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'The main benefit', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth. While the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical at times, it is sufficient to ensure the text is coherent throughout. To improve, you could experiment with a wider variety of linking phrases to make the transitions between ideas feel more natural and sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of your ideas. You use topic-specific terms like 'carbon dioxide', 'climate change', and 'business partners' correctly. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. Many of the words are common and functional rather than precise or sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more academic collocations and less common lexical items. For example, instead of repeating 'important' or 'difficult', try using more descriptive synonyms to add nuance to your arguments and demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'Although stopping air travel completely may not be possible for everyone, reducing the number of flights can still help to protect the environment.' The sentences are generally error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. While the range of structures is sufficient, it is not particularly ambitious. To improve, try to incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to show more flexibility. Overall, the grammar is accurate and does not impede communication.

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