Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-18

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)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are choosing to reduce the frequency of their flights or to avoid air travel altogether. Although this trend may create certain difficulties for individuals and businesses, I believe that the environmental benefits of reducing air travel outweigh its disadvantages.

The most significant advantage of flying less frequently is the reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions. Aviation is a major source of carbon emissions, and frequent flights contribute to global warming and climate change. If people choose alternative modes of transport, such as trains and coaches, particularly for shorter journeys, the overall carbon footprint of transportation can be reduced. Furthermore, reducing unnecessary business travel could encourage companies to rely more heavily on video conferencing and other digital technologies. This would not only benefit the environment but could also reduce the amount of time and money spent on business trips.

Nevertheless, limiting air travel can have some negative consequences for individuals. For long-distance journeys, particularly international ones, flying is often the fastest and most convenient option. People who live far from their families may therefore find it more difficult and time-consuming to visit relatives abroad. International students, migrant workers and people with family members in different countries could be particularly affected. In addition, countries that depend heavily on international tourism may experience a decline in revenue if fewer visitors arrive by air.

Businesses could also face challenges as a result of reduced air travel. Some companies depend on face-to-face meetings to establish professional relationships, negotiate agreements and expand into international markets. A complete shift towards online communication may not always provide the same level of personal interaction. However, these disadvantages could be minimised if businesses restricted air travel only when it is essential rather than eliminating it completely.

In conclusion, reducing the frequency of air travel may cause inconvenience for individuals and create economic challenges for certain businesses. However, the resulting reduction in emissions and greater use of sustainable forms of transport are likely to provide more substantial long-term benefits for the environment. Therefore, I believe that the environmental advantages of this development outweigh its drawbacks.

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, presenting a clear and well-developed position throughout. In the introduction, the writer clearly states their view that environmental benefits outweigh disadvantages. Each body paragraph contributes logically to this stance. Paragraph two effectively details the environmental advantages, such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and the adoption of video conferencing. Paragraphs three and four thoroughly examine the drawbacks, including travel difficulties for families, tourism revenue decline, and challenges for corporate negotiations. The conclusion neatly summarizes these points without simply repeating them verbatim. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, demonstrating a high level of task response that aligns with the Band 8 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression from introduction to body paragraphs and a concluding summary. Information and ideas are coherently linked throughout. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'Although this trend', 'Furthermore', 'Nevertheless', and 'In addition', without becoming mechanical or intrusive. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic. For example, paragraph three shifts smoothly to individual disadvantages, and paragraph four addresses business challenges. Referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure guides the reader effortlessly through the writer's argument, satisfying the requirements for a Band 8 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible vocabulary range suited to an academic discussion. Less common and precise items are skillfully employed, such as 'greenhouse-gas emissions', 'carbon footprint', 'video conferencing', and 'international tourism'. Word choices and collocations are generally very accurate, with expressions like 'establish professional relationships' and 'negotiate agreements' flowing naturally. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but these do not impede communication. The lexical range is more than sufficient to allow flexibility and precision, easily meeting the criteria for a Band 7.5, which rounds to a Band 8 for overall competence in word usage.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer exhibits a strong command of grammatical structures, successfully utilizing a wide variety of complex sentence forms alongside simpler ones. Examples of complex structures include conditional clauses ('If people choose alternative modes of transport...') and relative clauses ('People who live far from their families...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There are only very occasional minor errors or awkward phrasings, but these never impede communication or obscure meaning. The control over grammar and punctuation matches the Band 8 descriptor, reflecting a high level of accuracy and syntactic variety.

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