Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In an era of growing climate awareness, many people are choosing to fly less or stop altogether, aiming to reduce environmental harm. While this brings challenges for individuals and businesses, its environmental benefits ultimately outweigh the drawbacks.

Aviation is widely recognized as a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, with its impact growing as air travel becomes more popular. Each flight releases large amounts of greenhouse gases, which accelerate climate change. By cutting down on flying, people directly reduce their own contribution to this problem. For instance, long-distance flights, even with a single passenger, generate far more emissions than other transport options. Choosing trains for shorter trips or online meetings instead of in-person ones can make a real difference in lowering one's environmental footprint. Such choices support global efforts to tackle climate change, which requires reducing high-carbon activities.

Critics say less flying limits personal mobility and hurts businesses, especially those needing international links. Professionals might miss face-to-face meetings, and tourism industries could lose income. But alternatives are improving: high-speed trains in many regions offer good substitutes for short flights, and digital tools make virtual teamwork easier. More importantly, the costs of ignoring climate change - including extreme weather disasters, crop failures, and collapsed ecosystems - dwarf the short-term economic and logistical costs of adjusting to less flying.

In the end, reducing flights is more than a lifestyle tweak - it's a vital step in confronting our planet's most pressing threat. Short-term inconveniences for individuals and businesses pale beside the urgency of securing a sustainable future. Choosing the environment over ease isn't just a duty; it's an act of hope. It trades momentary convenience for the enduring promise of a world where life thrives, not just survives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The student takes a clear and well-developed position that the environmental benefits of reducing air travel outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses. The introduction clearly states the writer's stance, and both body paragraphs present relevant, extended ideas supported by logical reasoning and examples, such as comparing long-distance flights with train travel and evaluating the economic impact against climate disasters. The ideas are thoroughly explored without veering off-topic, meeting the Band 8 descriptor criteria for a well-developed and fully addressed task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information and ideas are logically sequenced, beginning with an introduction of the issue and the writer's position, followed by supporting arguments and a counter-argument analysis, concluding with a strong summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'While this brings challenges', 'For instance', and 'More importantly'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Referencing is clear throughout the text, earning a solid Band 7.0 for cohesive flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student exhibits a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited for an academic discussion on environmental issues. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'carbon emissions', 'greenhouse gases', 'environmental footprint', and 'collapsed ecosystems'. Word choice is generally precise and appropriate, although there are minor stylistic choices like 'lifestyle tweak' that lean slightly informal, placing this firmly at Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer employs a wide variety of complex sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences such as 'By cutting down on flying, people directly reduce their own contribution to this problem' and 'More importantly, the costs of ignoring climate change... dwarf the short-term economic and logistical costs' demonstrate good control of subordination and punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, with only rare minor slips that do not impede communication. This performance aligns well with the Band 8 descriptor.

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