Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-30

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 individuals have chosen to limit or completely avoid air travel due to its environmental impact. While this decision certainly has some negative consequences for people and companies, I believe the ecological advantages far outweigh the drawbacks.

The primary benefit of flying less is the significant reduction in carbon emissions. The aviation industry is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases, and each flight produces a considerable amount of CO2. If more people choose alternative modes of transport, such as trains or buses, for domestic travel, air pollution can be substantially reduced. For example, in Europe, many travelers now prefer high-speed rail over short-haul flights, which has led to a noticeable drop in emissions on certain routes. In the long term, this shift in behaviour is essential to combat climate change and protect the planet for future generations.

On the other hand, reducing air travel can have serious disadvantages, particularly for businesses and individuals who rely on it. For international companies, face-to-face meetings are often crucial for building trust and closing deals. While video conferencing is a useful tool, it cannot fully replace personal interaction. Similarly, for individuals, flying is often the only practical way to visit family living abroad or to experience different cultures. For someone living in Pakistan, for instance, visiting relatives in the UK or the Middle East without flying would be extremely time-consuming and expensive, if not impossible.

However, these disadvantages can be mitigated. Businesses can adopt a hybrid approach, travelling only when absolutely necessary and using virtual meetings for routine discussions. This not only saves money but also increases efficiency. For individuals, reducing rather than completely stopping flying seems to be a more balanced solution. Taking one flight a year instead of three still significantly lowers one's carbon footprint without completely sacrificing personal connections or travel opportunities.In conclusion, although flying less does create inconveniences for both individuals and businesses, I am convinced that the environmental benefits are more important. The threat of climate change is too serious to ignore, and limiting air travel is a practical step that, if adopted widely, can make a real difference.

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 of reducing air travel for individuals and businesses, ultimately presenting a well-developed position. In the second paragraph, the writer clearly articulates the ecological advantages, citing specific examples such as the shift to high-speed rail in Europe. The counterarguments regarding business meetings and personal visits are thoroughly examined in the third paragraph. Furthermore, the student provides practical solutions to mitigate these disadvantages in the following paragraph, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic. Ideas are extended and supported effectively throughout the essay, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a strong thesis in the introduction, moving through the environmental benefits and business disadvantages, and finishing with a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'similarly', and 'however' are used flexibly and appropriately to connect ideas and paragraphs without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is managed skilfully, ensuring the reader can easily follow the progression of arguments from one point to the next. There are no noticeable lapses in cohesion or referencing.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource suitable for an academic task. Less common vocabulary items and collocations are used skillfully, such as 'ecological advantages', 'carbon emissions', 'short-haul flights', and 'carbon footprint'. Word choice is generally precise and appropriate, with only occasional minor inaccuracies. Furthermore, spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the text, allowing the writer to convey precise meanings smoothly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of sentence structures, seamlessly blending complex and simple forms. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, showcasing excellent control over grammar, punctuation, and clause structures. Examples of complex structures include conditional clauses ('If more people choose alternative modes...') and participial phrases ('taking one flight a year instead of three...'). Grammatical control is consistently strong, and any minor slips are entirely absent, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy.

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