Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-13

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)

The growing movement to limit or eliminate air travel aims to reduce carbon emissions and curb global warming. In my view, the profound environmental benefits of this trend far outweigh the temporary drawbacks for individuals and commercial sectors.

Reducing commercial flights drastically cuts greenhouse gas emissions, directly helping to combat climate change and mitigate severe ecological damage worldwide. Fewer flights also significantly lower air and noise pollution around major airports, fostering healthier ecosystems and quieter local communities. Furthermore, this shift encourages vital government investment in modern, high-speed rail networks, expands efficient regional infrastructure, and accelerates sustainable local tourism. By embracing eco-friendly travel alternatives, society effectively fosters global environmental stewardship, protects fragile natural habitats, reduces atmospheric carbon accumulation, and successfully preserves vital natural resources for future generations.

Conversely, restricting air travel creates notable hurdles for individuals and global commerce. Long-distance personal visits become far more time-consuming, isolating international families, complicating emergency travel, and limiting crucial cross-cultural exchanges. For corporate entities, diminished flight access can hinder cross-border partnerships, delay critical overseas infrastructure projects, restrict global trade, and reduce overall international revenue streams. Additionally, industries heavily reliant on aviation, such as foreign tourism, hospitality, global supply chains, and international logistics, face severe economic losses, operational delays, and widespread job cuts as consumer travel demands drop significantly.

In conclusion, although reduced flying disrupts personal convenience and international commerce, its long-term ecological benefits are far more crucial. Mitigating global climate change outweighs these manageable social and economic inconveniences.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response clearly addresses both sides of the prompt, discussing the environmental benefits and the disadvantages for individuals and businesses, and presents a clear position throughout. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations. However, a penalty must be applied for length: the response contains 243 words, which falls short of the mandatory 250-word minimum specified in the task instructions. Because of this under-length penalty, the task response cannot reach the higher bands despite the quality of the arguments presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear overall progression with a logical arrangement of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the introduction, environmental benefits, drawbacks, and conclusion. Cohesive devices are handled effectively, using appropriate linking expressions such as 'Furthermore', 'Conversely', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Referencing is generally clear and consistent throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'mitigate severe ecological damage', 'global environmental stewardship', and 'cross-border partnerships'. Word choice is generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout, allowing the message to be communicated clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as participial phrases ('By embracing eco-friendly travel alternatives, society effectively...') and subordinate clauses. There is good control of grammar and punctuation, and the majority of sentences are error-free. Minor slips are rare and do not impede communication at any point, demonstrating a strong grasp of grammatical control suitable for a higher band.

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

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