Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-12

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)

Some people chose to lessen flying annually, or just stop flying altogether. Would the environmental benefits negatively affects the businesses and people? I believe that this may have pros and cons to our environment and to individuals and to companies.

One of the pros of limiting or stopping flights may positively contribute to clean air we inhale, and I believe that this benefit weighs more than the disadvantages from the businesses. As someone who values the environment, these little acts that benefits our air is significantly important, in my opinion. Nowadays, as you can hear from the news, our ozone layer was already damaged, not only because of the airplane, but also individuals who uses vehicles emitting smoke, houses and garbages that lit on fire, and people who smoke and uses woods to cook.

To argue, businesses can still run even if passengers rarely fly. Although they can loose a lot of profit and customers, which will have an impact to frequent flyers because they can be charged to much expensive tickets, which is one the cons. But, most importantly, that will also contribute to our environment due to minimize chemicals delivered to the air.

To conclude, the environmental benefits of reducing flights yearly weighs more than the disadvantages that this gives to businesses. Lesser flights means lesser smoke emitted to the air. But, that does not mean that businesses will fail. This may cause disadvantages to them, but can still adjust to the situation. Environment is much more significant than the businesses operating planes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear overall view that reducing flights benefits the environment more than it harms businesses, and you mention disadvantages such as lost profit, fewer customers and more expensive tickets. However, the response only partly develops the comparison asked for: the effects on individuals receive little attention, and the environmental case is asserted rather than explained in detail. For example, you say fewer flights mean “lesser smoke emitted,” but do not explain how aviation emissions affect the climate or compare this benefit with practical costs such as travel access or business connections. The examples about vehicles, fires and cooking smoke broaden the discussion away from the specific impact of flying. Develop both sides with relevant, specific support and maintain a precise focus on the question.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and the reader can follow your general position. However, progression within the body paragraphs is uneven: the second paragraph moves from clean air to several unrelated pollution sources, while the next shifts between business losses, ticket prices and environmental effects. Linking phrases such as “To argue” and “But, most importantly” do not always show the relationship between ideas clearly, and the conclusion repeats the central claim without adding a synthesis. Organise each paragraph around one main point, then explain and support it before moving on. Clearer references and more purposeful transitions would make the argument easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “environmental benefits,” “profit,” “customers” and “frequent flyers,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, which makes parts of the argument less precise. Phrases such as “clean air we inhale,” “chemicals delivered to the air” and “lesser smoke emitted” do not express aviation emissions naturally. “Ozone layer” is also not the most accurate term for the main climate impact of flying. Aim for precise topic language such as “air pollution,” “greenhouse-gas emissions” and “aviation industry,” and check spelling and word forms, including “lose” rather than “loose.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences and subordinate clauses, for example, “Although they can loose a lot of profit and customers, which will have an impact to frequent flyers…”. However, complex constructions are often faulty, and errors in agreement, verb forms and sentence structure occur frequently enough to affect clarity. Examples include “Would the environmental benefits negatively affects,” “these little acts that benefits,” and “people who uses vehicles.” The opening question also does not clearly frame the task, and the “Although” clause is left without a complete main clause. Practise subject–verb agreement and build complex sentences around a complete main clause; then proofread each sentence for a clear subject, verb and logical connection.

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