Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-23

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 5.5)

It is argued by some people that to reduce flights taking every year. Some people might considre it negative, I believe that it is extremely beneficial. Not only because of reduce carbon embission and reduce air and noise pollution, but also because it is beneficial for natural resources.

There are multiplt advantages associated with taking less flights. Firstly, less flights can reduce the embission of carbon. As plans are the major source of carbon embission. Take an example of Nepal, it is expected that by the year 2028, Nepal will reduce their flights about 60%, because the carbon embission is highly increased in this country. Thus, this mega benefit I believe have the potential to make this development a positive development.

Secondly, reduction in flights can also reduce air and noise pollution. As the plans uses oil that causes air pollution and the engine have a high sound that is a source of air and noise pollution. For instance, a survey conducted in Italy, it proves that is the flights are reduces in a country 48% noise and air pollution will automatically reduced, because plans are major sorce of air and noise pollution. Hence, this advantage also carry a lot of weightage to prove this development a positive development.

Finally, reduction in flights will also help to save natural resources. As these flight can contain thousands of liter of fuel and water, which will be saved by reduction in number of flights.

To sum up, even though less flights have some drawbacks too, but I believe that the benefits it brings in term of reduction in carbon embission, air and noise pollution and save natural resources can make this development a positive one.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position that environmental benefits outweigh disadvantages. The writer attempts to develop ideas relating to carbon emissions, air and noise pollution, and natural resources. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the discussion on pollution relies heavily on a brief assertion about Nepal and Italy without deep exploration of the specific disadvantages for individuals and businesses, which were only briefly acknowledged in the conclusion. While a clear stance is maintained throughout, the reasoning tends to generalise and lacks thorough extension for a higher band. Overall, the performance aligns well with Band 5.5 to 6.0 descriptors, specifically fitting the Band 6 criteria for addressing all parts of the task with relevant ideas, though some areas remain under-developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure, using standard introductory and concluding paragraphs alongside three body paragraphs marked by signposting words such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Finally'. However, cohesion is often faulty or mechanical. For example, the opening sentence, 'It is argued by some people that to reduce flights taking every year', is grammatically fractured and disrupts the flow. Additionally, referencing is occasionally unclear, and some cohesive devices feel repetitive or forced. Paragraphing is utilised sufficiently to separate main ideas, but logical progression between sentences inside paragraphs can be jerky due to language limitations. These features reflect the characteristics of Band 5.5, which balances between Band 5 and Band 6; given the mechanical use of cohesion and occasional breakdown in referencing, a score of 5.5 is appropriate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'embission' (intended as emission), 'multiplt' (multiple), and 'weightage'. However, there are frequent spelling errors ('embission', 'plans' instead of planes, 'sorce', 'liter') and some inappropriate word choices ('take an example of Nepal', 'high sound'). These lexical errors occasionally distract the reader, although they do not completely impede communication. The writer demonstrates an ability to use topic-specific vocabulary related to environmental issues, but the lack of accuracy in spelling and word formation prevents the score from reaching Band 6.0. Therefore, a band score of 5.0 is appropriate, capturing the limited range and noticeable errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The essay features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures are frequently faulty. For instance, sentence fragments and grammatical errors appear regularly, such as 'that to reduce flights taking every year', 'less flights can reduce the embission', and 'it proves that is the flights are reduces'. Punctuation and subject-verb agreement issues are also present ('plans uses oil', 'these flight can contain'). While the meaning can generally be deciphered, the high frequency of grammatical errors in basic and complex structures causes difficulty for the reader at times. This profile closely matches the Band 5 descriptors, where a limited range of structures and frequent errors are characteristic.

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

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