Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-02

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 6.0)

Some people have chosen to fly every year or decided to stop flying altogether because of the environmental concerns. Although I believe this might create disadvantages for the individuals and bussinesses.

The main advantage of reducing air travel is the air planes consume more gas and it effects the air quality. The more is the distance the more of the gas consumption which will significantly led to climate change. If fewer people fly, demands for the air travelwill be travel and therefore they can manage to reduce unnecessary services and invest in cleaner technologies. For example travelling by train between major cities can be a practical alternative to taking a short domestic flight.

However reducing air travel can have negative consequences for individuals and businesses. People may find it more difficult to visit relatives, take holidays abroad, or attend important events in other countries. Businesses that depend on international meetings, tourism, and overseas customers may also lose opportunities. For instance, a company may need face-to-face meetings to establish strong relationships with international clients, and replacing every business trip with an online meeting may not always be effective.

In conclusion, reducing air travel may cause inconvenience and financial difficulties for some individuals and businesses. Nevertheless, I believe its contribution to reducing emissions and protecting the environment is more significant in the long term. Therefore, where practical alternatives are available, reducing unnecessary flights can be a beneficial development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Relevant ideas are included, such as fuel consumption and alternative transport methods in the second paragraph, alongside individual and business drawbacks in the third. However, some ideas are under-developed rather than fully extended, reflecting a partial achievement of higher requirements. Additionally, the length requirement of 250 words is not met, as the response contains only 236 words. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to ensure the minimum word count is satisfied and expand further on the arguments provided with more detailed explanations or examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression throughout the paragraphs. Information and ideas are generally well managed, featuring appropriate transitional phrases such as 'The main advantage', 'However', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, dividing the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion distinctly. Referencing is mostly clear, though some cohesive devices are occasionally mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the abrupt phrasing in the opening sentences. To progress further, the writer should aim for a more sophisticated and flexible use of cohesive devices, ensuring seamless transitions between complex ideas without relying on formulaic connectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'practical alternative', 'unnecessary services', and 'establish strong relationships'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice and spelling, including 'bussinesses' instead of businesses, 'air planes' written as two words, and phrasing such as 'demands for the air travelwill be travel'. These lexical slips and inaccuracies demonstrate the characteristics of a band six level. To achieve a higher score, the writer must expand the range of vocabulary, improve precision in word choice and collocation, and eliminate spelling and word formation errors entirely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with attempts at complex structures such as conditional and concessive clauses. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as 'it effects the air quality' instead of affects, and 'the more is the distance the more of the gas consumption which will significantly led to climate change', which contains structural awkwardness and tense misuse. Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede communication and do not obscure the overall meaning. To reach the next level, the writer needs to produce a higher frequency of error-free sentences using a wider variety of complex grammatical structures with precise control.

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