Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-15

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 6.5)

It is widely believed that a growing number of people are choosing to curtail their air travel or avoid flying altogether. Although it offers environmental benefits in terms of lowering pollution, it may negatively affect the businesses by limiting their profit and individuals by reducing their travel opportunities.

The major benefits of reducing air travel are that it will reduce air pollution caused by aircraft such as helicopters and airplanes, and it will slow the greenhouse effect, which is harmful for our environment. For domestic travelling, although air travel is luxurious and time-effective, if individuals prefer environmentally friendly alternatives for travelling, such as trains or buses, it would be more beneficial for the environment. Additionally, these modes of transport are cost-effective, and people can travel altogether. During the journey, individuals can enjoy the view of different cities and villages, whereas during air travel everyone could not get the chance to sit on the window seat and enjoy the scenic view outside the window.

Nevertheless, the decrease in use of air travel also has some significant drawbacks for businesses and individuals. If people resist the use of air travel, it will lead to financial losses for airline businesses. Moreover, other businesses such as hotels, travel agencies, and tourism-related businesses may also suffer because fewer tourists visit their destinations. Furthermore, it also limits people's freedom to travel; they may find it difficult to travel overseas for business meetings, work, or educational purposes.

In a nutshell, although there are several environmental benefits for reducing the use of air travel, there are financial losses for businesses, airlines, and individuals' opportunities to explore overseas. Therefore, its disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the question and state a clear view in the conclusion: “its disadvantages outweigh the advantages.” Relevant consequences include reduced pollution, financial losses for airlines and tourism businesses, and fewer opportunities for overseas travel. However, the environmental case is developed more fully through general claims than through explanation of the scale or wider impact of emissions. Some supporting details, such as the enjoyment of scenic views from trains, do not directly establish that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Develop the comparison more explicitly—for example, explain why emissions reductions matter despite the economic and personal costs—and support the main points with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for benefits and drawbacks, and a conclusion that returns to the question. Linking expressions such as “Additionally,” “Nevertheless,” and “In a nutshell” help signal the progression, and the main ideas are generally easy to follow. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent organisation and shows some flexibility in using cohesive devices. At times, however, the links between examples and the central argument are loose: the scenic-view comparison interrupts the environmental discussion, while the conclusion lists consequences without weighing them against one another. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each example directly to the paragraph’s main claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “curtail,” “greenhouse effect,” “financial losses,” and “tourism-related businesses.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and there is some attempt to use less common language. However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “the businesses,” “people can travel altogether,” and “everyone could not get the chance.” “Air pollution caused by aircraft such as helicopters and airplanes” is also an awkwardly broad formulation for this argument. Aim for more precise collocations and avoid repeating general terms such as “travel” and “businesses”; this would make the discussion sound more controlled without changing its meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including conditional structures (“if individuals prefer… it would be more beneficial”) and a concessive opening (“Although it offers…”). Most sentences remain understandable, and errors rarely obstruct the message. Some grammatical inaccuracies persist, however. In “it may negatively affect the businesses,” the article is unnecessary for a general reference; “during air travel everyone could not get the chance” has awkward word order and an unsuitable negative construction; and “individuals’ opportunities to explore overseas” is not formed naturally. Review articles, clause structure, and agreement between tense and meaning. More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen the control already shown.

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