Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Whether to decrease the amount of flying time every year or stopping flying altogether has been a widely debated issue. I would say that the atmospheric benefits of this development will outweigh challenges for the individuals and corporations.

To begin with, there is a compelling reason why people should limit their flying time due to carbon credit limitation for each nation. Since an increasing amount of carbon emissions is heavily associated with climate change, a reduction in emissions has become an alarming issue. However, every time a fight uses plenty of carbon credit, fuel and many more which hamper the nature. Therefore, reducing the number of flights could possibly have a favourable effect in the reduction of carbon emissions. For instance, many nature researchers now have limited the number of flights to keep account to the credits per person, as a mathematical consideration it becomes a huge number is we use an aeroplane trip to visit any specific destination. Additionally, many substantial tech ventures like Apple have taken similar initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

On the other hand, whilst this approach may have natural favourability, nevertheless, it is quite bad for some individuals and businesses. They may face complication in adapting this because many people often travel due to business purposes or individual trips. However, if there is a will, there is a way that way. For meetings and deals, instead of visiting physically they can organize a virtual meeting. As well as for travellers, they can plan a single trip per year, which would help them to reduce the carbon usage alongside their cost. Therefore, everyone would benefit from this little but productive step.

To conclude, although there exists a disadvantage for a few individuals and companies, I believe the crucial aspect is the benefit of the planet.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The writer explores both sides of the argument, discussing carbon emissions and their impacts on the planet, as well as the adaptation challenges for businesses and individuals, such as the need for virtual meetings. Ideas are generally relevant and supported, although some explanations, such as the reference to 'carbon credit limitation for each nation' and the example of 'nature researchers', are slightly muddled and lack precise development. However, a clear overarching stance is maintained from the introduction to the conclusion, satisfying the core requirements of Band 6.5 or a solid Band 6.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different facets of the argument. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'To begin with', 'Additionally', 'On the other hand', and 'To conclude', which helps guide the reader through the text. However, referencing and logical transitions are occasionally faulty or mechanical, such as the awkward transition 'as a mathematical consideration it becomes a huge number is we use an aeroplane trip', which disrupts the natural flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting less common items such as 'atmospheric benefits', 'carbon emissions', and 'substantial tech ventures'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation inaccuracies throughout the text, such as 'every time a fight uses plenty of carbon credit' (where 'fight' is a typo for flight) and 'natural favourability'. There are also minor mechanical slips like 'is we use' instead of 'if we use'. These do not severely impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score to a Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and conditional structures, such as 'if there is a will, there is a way that way.' However, grammatical errors are noticeable and occur with some frequency, including subject-verb agreement issues ('a huge number is we use') and awkward phrasings. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors are present, they rarely impede overall communication, placing the response comfortably within the Band 6 descriptor range.

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