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)

Nowadays, some people are deciding to fly less often or stop travelling by plane completely. There are some environmental benefits of this decision, but it can also create problems for individuals and businesses. In my opinion, the environmental benefits are greater than the disadvantages.

There are several benefits of flying less for the environment. First of all, airplanes use a large amount of fuel and produce harmful gases. These gases can increase air pollution and contribute to climate change. If people take fewer flights, the amount of these gases can be reduced. As a result, the environment can become cleaner. For example, people can use trains or buses for shorter journeys instead of taking a flight.

However, reducing air travel can have some disadvantages for individuals. People often use airplanes to visit their family members or to go on holidays. If they stop flying, travelling to another country can become more difficult and time-consuming. For example, a person who wants to visit a family member in another country may have to spend much more time travelling by road or train.

Businesses can also face some problems. Many companies need flights for meetings, business trips and meeting international customers. If employees cannot travel by plane, it may become more difficult for companies to work with people from other countries. This can affect some businesses, especially companies that work internationally.

In conclusion, reducing the number of flights can cause some difficulties for individuals and businesses. However, I believe that the environmental benefits are more important because flying less can reduce pollution and help protect the environment.

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 and logically structured, with distinct paragraphs for environmental benefits, individual disadvantages, and business impacts. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the discussion on business impacts could be strengthened by mentioning specific alternatives like video conferencing or remote collaboration tools to show a more nuanced understanding of the topic. While the position is clear, the depth of analysis remains at a functional level rather than a fully extended one, which is typical of a band 6.5 or 7.0 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'However', 'For example', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. While the flow is smooth, the range of cohesive devices is somewhat standard; incorporating more sophisticated linking phrases or varied transition markers would elevate the score further. Overall, the text is easy to follow and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows the writer to express their ideas clearly. There is a sufficient range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'air pollution', 'climate change', and 'internationally'. However, the lexical range is somewhat limited and repetitive, relying on common phrases. To reach a higher band, the student should aim to use more precise or less common collocations and academic vocabulary. For example, instead of 'create problems', using 'pose significant challenges' or 'hinder operational efficiency' would demonstrate a more sophisticated command of language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. The student uses conditional structures ('If people take fewer flights...') and modal verbs ('can be reduced', 'may have to spend') correctly. While the control of grammar is good, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To improve, the student could incorporate more varied sentence patterns, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, to demonstrate greater flexibility and control over complex grammatical forms.

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