Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-29

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)

In recent years, debate has grown over whether reducing the number of people flying, or flying in groups, benefits environmental development or harms individuals and businesses. While there are certain drawbacks to fewer flights and solo flights, I believe the advantages far outweigh them.

One of the main benefits of decreased flights and solo flights is that it reduces carbon dioxide emissions, as airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels and release high levels of greenhouse gases, so fewer flights directly slows down global climate change. This is especially important for improving air quality in nearby communities. For instance, France restricted short-haul domestic flights as train travel was an alternative. This policy resulted in fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, cleaner air reduces the chances of asthma and also lessens the rate of heart diseases in urban areas near flight hubs.

However, there are also some drawbacks to fewer and solo flights that directly impact individuals and businesses, such as loss of personal and career opportunities for individuals. This can be problematic because it limits global mobility, making it harder for students to get international education, specialized training, and overseas jobs. For example, a student who wins a scholarship abroad may miss the chance to travel, hurting their long-term path. Furthermore, it harms business growth because many island nations and developing regions rely almost entirely on international tourism to survive. When people choose not to fly, there will be job losses, poverty, and business closures.

Taking everything into account, despite the disadvantages mentioned, I firmly believe that the advantages of fewer flights make it a positive development. Therefore, it is crucial that the government impose laws and regulations to make sure the flights do not reach a level where individuals come to harm.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the environmental benefits and the disadvantages for individuals and businesses. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are generally well developed and supported with examples, such as the mention of France restricting short-haul domestic flights. However, there is some slight confusion in the introduction and body paragraphs regarding the distinction between reducing the number of flights generally versus 'solo flights,' which is a slightly unnatural phrasing in this context. Nevertheless, the main arguments are clear and directly answer the prompt, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an introduction to environmental benefits, then disadvantages, and finally a reasoned conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'However', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing throughout the text is clear. While the logical flow is solid, the occasional slight awkwardness in transitional phrasing keeps it at a Band 7 level rather than higher.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task. Less common lexical items are attempted, such as 'greenhouse gases', 'global mobility', and 'specialized training'. There are some successful collocations, although phrases like 'reducing the number of people flying, or flying in groups' and 'solo flights' are slightly unnatural or inaccurate in meaning regarding the prompt. Spelling is generally accurate, and word choice errors do not impede communication, placing the response comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7 range. Awarding a 6.5 reflects the minor vocabulary inaccuracies.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or relative clauses such as 'when people choose not to fly, there will be job losses' and 'a student who wins a scholarship abroad may miss the chance to travel'. There are frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating good control of grammar and punctuation. While minor slips occur—such as the awkward phrasing around flight reductions—they rarely impede communication. The control shown over complex forms justifies a solid Band 7 score for this criterion.

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