Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-14

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 are choosing to reduce the number of times they fly every year or to stop flying altogether. Although this trend has some disadvantages for individuals and businessmen, I stronly agree that environmental benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

The main advantage of reduce air travel is that it helps to protect the environment because the plane in the air releases alot of carbon dioxide and harmful gases which cause the global warming and green house effect which are very dangerous for individuals. If people fly less then the green house effect and global warming must be stopped.For instance, traveling on a train is more ofen more a environmentally friendly option then taking a short flight. In addition, by reducing air travel is benefit for the natural resources and individuals.

On the other hand, reducing air travel is also have a disadvantages for both individuals and businesses. People may find it difficult who live in other countries or travel abroad for holidays and for the businesses often depend on air travels for the international meetings and dealing with overseas clients. For instance, if a person in other country is seriously ill and he have very less time for their survive so it may difficult for a person who are living in other country.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel may create inconvenience for individuals and financial difficulties for businesses, I beleive that environmental benefits are greater. Therefore, people should avoid unnecessary flights and use alternative forms of transport whenever possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You state a clear view in the introduction and conclusion: environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. You also address both sides, mentioning emissions and alternatives, as well as inconvenience for travellers and difficulties for businesses. However, the supporting ideas are limited or unclear: the claim that flying less will stop global warming is too absolute, and the example about a seriously ill person abroad is difficult to follow and does not clearly explain the impact on individuals or businesses. The response is also 15 words below the required minimum, which limits the opportunity to develop your reasoning. To strengthen the response, explain the scale of aviation’s environmental impact and give a clearer, more relevant example of the costs of reduced air travel.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph on environmental benefits, a paragraph on disadvantages, and a conclusion. Basic signposting such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the overall direction. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven, and some links between ideas are unclear. For example, the sentence about natural resources and individuals does not explain how these points connect to the preceding discussion of emissions. The example about illness abroad also interrupts the business point rather than clearly illustrating it. Use topic sentences that establish each paragraph’s main claim, then explain and support that claim in a logical sequence. More precise referencing would also help readers understand who “he” and “they” refer to.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “carbon dioxide,” “global warming,” “environmentally friendly,” “international meetings,” and “overseas clients.” This gives the response enough language to communicate its main ideas. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, word-form, and spelling errors make the writing less natural. Examples include “alot,” “green house effect,” “air travels,” and “financial difficulties” in the conclusion, where the phrase is understandable but not developed with more precise business vocabulary. Aim to use accurate collocations and vary repeated terms such as “air travel” and “people.” For instance, you could refer to “aviation emissions,” “flight frequency,” or “business travel” where appropriate, while checking spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a concession in the opening (“Although this trend has some disadvantages…”) and a conditional structure (“If people fly less…”). However, errors are frequent, and some complex sentences are difficult to interpret. Examples include “The main advantage of reduce air travel is,” “reducing air travel is also have a disadvantages,” and “he have very less time,” which show problems with verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction. Articles and clause structure also need attention, as in “a environmentally friendly option” and “People may find it difficult who live in other countries.” Practise building accurate sentences around one main clause, then add subordinate clauses only when their relationships are clear. Proofread for subject–verb agreement and verb patterns.

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