Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

It is becoming increasingly common for people to reduce the number of flights they take each year or to stop flying altogether. Although this trend may create certain disadvantages for individuals and businesses, I believe that its environmental benefits outweigh these drawbacks.

On the one hand, reducing air travel can have several negative consequences for individuals and businesses. For individuals, avoiding flights can make international travel more difficult, time-consuming and expensive, particularly when travelling long distances. For example, people may have to rely on trains or other forms of transport, which can considerably increase their travelling time. Furthermore, businesses that depend on international travel may face difficulties in maintaining face-to-face relationships with overseas clients and partners. As a result, fewer business flights could potentially reduce opportunities for international cooperation and expansion.

On the other hand, the environmental benefits of reducing air travel are considerably more significant. The main advantage is that fewer flights would lead to lower carbon emissions, which could help to slow climate change. Air travel produces a substantial amount of greenhouse gases, so reducing unnecessary flights can contribute to a reduction in an individual's carbon footprint. Moreover, if people choose alternative forms of transport, such as trains, instead of planes, overall pollution can be reduced further. Therefore, although limiting air travel may cause some inconvenience, its long-term contribution to environmental protection is more important.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel may cause inconvenience for individuals and create challenges for internationally oriented businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits outweigh these disadvantages. In particular, the reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions and the encouragement of more sustainable forms of transport make this development beneficial in the long term.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments for both sides—the disadvantages for individuals and businesses versus the environmental benefits—are relevant and well-developed. You provided specific examples, such as the reliance on trains and the impact on face-to-face business relationships, which effectively support your claims. The conclusion provides a clear summary that reinforces your initial stance. To reach the highest band, you could further extend your ideas by briefly mentioning a specific real-world example or a more nuanced counter-argument, but the current level of development is strong and logical.

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 disadvantages and the advantages is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. You have used a variety of linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'As a result', and 'Therefore' effectively to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the relationship between ideas is always clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'internationally oriented businesses', 'sustainable forms of transport', and 'carbon footprint' show a solid grasp of topic-specific language. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common academic synonyms to move beyond a 'sufficient' range. Overall, your lexical control is strong, and there are no errors in spelling or word formation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('if people choose...') and concessive clauses ('Although this trend may...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use modal verbs and passive constructions appropriately to maintain an academic tone. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with a wider range of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex participial phrases, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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