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)
Nowadays, some people have decided to reduce air travel or stop flying completely . I believe that the environment benefits of this decision are greater than the disadvantage for individuals and businesses.
Firstly, flying less can reduce air popullation and greenhouse gas emission. this can help protect the environment and reduce global warming. It can also helps to protect wildlife. People can use buses or trains for short-distance journey. people can save money of big amount if they stop flying completely. For example, if flying less, while its benefits for people because the air is convert to fresh and healthy. It is usefull for overall development.
On the other hand, if the air travel to reduce or stop flying competely, many people are lose their business because business-men often usually travel by flying. it is not beneficial for overall development. It can reduce work for employment. Moreover, many people work in the aviation industry, such as flight attendants, pilots, houstage and airport receptionist. For instance, if people fly less, many workers may lose their jos. Furthermore, if flying less, many people cannot to meet with their families and relatives. It also airline may lose money and tourism decreases.
To sum up, flying less reduce global warming and benefit for people to save money but its not beneficial for flight attendant or workers. Many people are lose their jobs. I believe its environmental benefits are greater because its helps reduce air popullation and protect our planet. Although reducing air travel may cause some problems for person and businesses.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the environmental benefits and the disadvantages for individuals and businesses. A position is stated in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. However, the ideas are relatively basic and sometimes repetitive, leaning toward generalisation without deep extension or highly relevant supporting examples. For instance, the mention of people saving money or losing jobs is introduced, but the development remains somewhat superficial. This places the response firmly in Band 6, as it addresses all parts of the task with relevant ideas, though some are under-developed or unclear.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay has a recognisable overall structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is attempted, though some paragraphs mix distinct ideas (such as mixing environmental impacts with personal financial savings in the second paragraph). Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'On the other hand', and 'To sum up' are used to guide the reader, but referencing is sometimes faulty and mechanical, with abrupt transitions and repetitive phrasing like 'if flying less'. Overall progression is somewhat disjointed at times, matching the characteristics of a Band 5.5 to 6.0, leading to a balanced score of 6.0 for coherent overall arrangement despite mechanical cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student displays an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'greenhouse gas emission', 'aviation industry', and 'tourism decreases'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors ('popullation', 'usefull', 'competely') and word choice or form errors ('air convert to fresh', 'houstage' intended for hostess, 'jos' for jobs). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they restrict the lexical score. The vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the message, fitting the Band 5.5 to 6.0 profile, and is best represented by a score of 5.5 due to the frequency of spelling and word formation slips.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures ('if flying less...'). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors including missing articles, subject-verb agreement issues ('airline may lose money'), and incorrect verb forms ('people cannot to meet', 'many people are lose'). Punctuation errors, such as missing capitalisation at the beginning of sentences ('this can help'), also occur. Although the meaning can generally be understood, the high density of grammatical errors places this response at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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