Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-07

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 6.5)

Some people have decided to fly less frequently or stop travelling by air completely. Although this decision can have 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 pollution. Airplanes produce a large amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. If more people choose alternative forms of transport, such as trains, fewer flights will be required and emissions can be reduced. For example, people travelling between major cities can often use high-speed trains instead of airplanes, especially when the distance is not very long. Therefore, reducing unnecessary flights can contribute to a cleaner environment.

On the other hand, reducing air travel can create difficulties for individuals and businesses. People may find it harder to visit family members who live in other countries, while companies that operate internationally may need to spend more time and money on business trips. For instance, a company may need its employees to meet foreign clients in person in order to develop strong business relationships. However, many meetings can now be conducted through video-conferencing, and businesses can also use online communication to reduce the need for frequent flights.

In conclusion, reducing air travel may cause some inconvenience to the individuals and businesses, particularly those involved in international activities. However, I believe that the long-term environmental benefits, especially lower carbon emissions, are more important than these disadvantages in busniess.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The arguments regarding environmental benefits are well-supported with logical examples like high-speed trains. The counter-arguments regarding business and personal inconvenience are also relevant and balanced. However, the development of ideas is somewhat brief; while the points are clear, they could be extended further to reach a higher band. For instance, the discussion on business could explore the economic implications of reduced travel more deeply. Overall, the response is focused and directly answers the question posed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'One major advantage', 'On the other hand', and 'For instance' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of the argument is smooth. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the structure supports the reader's understanding of the writer's position.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. The writer uses topic-specific terms such as 'carbon dioxide', 'greenhouse gases', 'climate change', and 'video-conferencing' correctly. While the range is adequate, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the score to an 8.0. There is one minor spelling error ('busniess' in the conclusion), but this does not impede communication. The word choice is generally natural and appropriate for an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The writer uses conditional sentences ('If more people choose...') and complex clauses ('Although this decision can have...') with good control. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. While the grammatical range is solid, it does not consistently display the 'wide range' of complex structures required for a higher band. However, the errors are very infrequent and do not cause any difficulty for the reader, reflecting a high level of accuracy.

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

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