Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17

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)

In recent years, a growing number of people have opted to limit or completely eliminate air travel in an effort to reduce their ecological footprint. Although restricting aviation causes notable inconvenience to individuals and financial strain on global industries, I firmly believe that the long-term environmental benefits far outweigh these drawbacks.

On the one hand, reducing air travel undeniably imposes challenges on individuals and international business. For consumers, aviation remains the fastest and most convenient mode of long-distance transport. Restricting flights limits personal mobility, making it harder for people to visit families overseas or take international holidays. From a commercial standpoint, the aviation industry supports millions of jobs worldwide, alongside dependent sectors like tourism and hospitality. A drop in air travel can severely harm these markets, slow down international trade, and hinder face-to-face business collaborations that drive economic growth.

On the other hand, the environmental advantages of reduced air travel are critical and urgent. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides directly into the high atmosphere. Unlike local transport, there are currently no viable eco-friendly alternatives for long-distance air travel, such as commercial electric planes. Consequently, reducing the frequency of flights is currently the most immediate way to curb sector emissions, combat climate change, and protect delicate ecosystems from global warming.

Furthermore, society is increasingly adapting to a less travel-dependent lifestyle. Modern technology now enables high-quality virtual conferencing, allowing companies to conduct international business effectively without sending staff on long-haul flights. Additionally, local tourism and high-speed rail networks are expanding, providing viable alternatives for personal leisure.

In conclusion, while limiting air travel creates temporary economic and personal inconveniences, the imperative to mitigate climate change is vastly more important. The environmental preservation gained by flying less ultimately outweighs the practical and financial downsides.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the environmental benefits and the disadvantages for individuals and businesses, ultimately taking a clear position that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The introduction clearly states the writer's stance, and each body paragraph contributes well-developed ideas. For instance, the second paragraph outlines specific commercial and personal drawbacks such as hindered business collaborations and limited personal mobility. The subsequent paragraphs substantiate the environmental advantages by pointing out that aviation is a fast-growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and highlighting practical alternatives like virtual conferencing and high-speed rail networks. All ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, satisfying the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, starting from the introductory stance, moving through the disadvantages and advantages, and concluding with a concise summary. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme, such as individual disadvantages in paragraph two and environmental urgency in paragraph three. Cohesive devices are managed well, utilizing transitional phrases like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' smoothly to guide the reader without being overly mechanical or intrusive.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer uses a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Less common lexical items are skillfully employed, such as 'ecological footprint', 'commercial standpoint', 'greenhouse gas emissions', and 'delicate ecosystems'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, with phrases like 'mitigate climate change' and 'financial strain' used naturally. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but these do not impede communication in any way. The vocabulary demonstrates a strong ability to discuss complex environmental and economic concepts with style and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex structures used accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical control. Examples of sophisticated syntax include participial phrases and subordinate clauses, such as 'Restricting flights limits personal mobility, making it harder for people to visit families overseas' and 'Unlike local transport, there are currently no viable eco-friendly alternatives for long-distance air travel'. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and there are only very rare slips that do not interfere with the smooth reading of the text. The command of grammar easily meets the criteria for a strong band score.

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