Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-20

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 5.0)

Certain individuals have decided to reduce the number of times they fly each year or to stop flying completely. I contend that the environmental benefits of this development outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses. This is because it may protect the planet from the harmful carbon emissions.

On the one hand, the flying airplanes releases dangerous carbon emissions in air which may be detrimental to human health as well as other living organisms. The reduction in flying can protect the environment from being polluted by the harmful emissions. For instance, if a person inhales in the polluted air, it can lead to serious breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Moreover, by decreasing flying every year, authorities can protect environment from global warming. Therefore, I believe that the benefits to reduce the number of times people fly might be greater than the advantages of flying.

On the other hand, although there are many disadvantages of complete reduction in flying, it can be beneficial for human well-being. The major disadvantage to stop flying altogether may be for trading businesses. They may face some difficulties to run a business like time management and cost issues but it might be resolvable. For example, by transporting goods early according to designed schedule through ships may be helpful to manage time. Hence, I maintain that the benefits to reduce the number of times outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses.

Consequently, although there are some advantagdes of flying, I contend that the environmental benefits of this development outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses. This is because it may protect the Earth from being harmed through carbon emissions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

Your position is clear: you believe the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages, and you give relevant points about emissions, health, global warming and trade. However, the discussion is only partial and several ideas are under-developed. The health example explains possible effects of polluted air, but does not show how reducing flights would meaningfully reduce those effects. The business disadvantage is introduced, yet the proposed use of ships is not weighed against possible delays or costs, and disadvantages for individuals receive little attention. The comparison also becomes unclear in “greater than the advantages of flying,” which does not directly compare benefits with disadvantages. The response is 238 words, below the 250-word minimum; develop both sides and support the comparison with more specific explanation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting opposing sides, and a conclusion. Linking phrases such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “Consequently” help signal the stages of the argument. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Therefore” introduces a conclusion about global warming without explaining the link, while “Hence” repeats the position rather than drawing a specific inference from the shipping example. The repeated claim that benefits outweigh disadvantages also makes the ending feel repetitive. Build each paragraph around one developed point, use clearer references between claims and examples, and make the conclusion synthesise the comparison rather than restate the introduction.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “carbon emissions,” “global warming,” “human well-being,” and “time management,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “detrimental to human health.” However, the range is limited by repeated wording around “benefits,” “disadvantages,” and “flying,” and some collocations are inaccurate or awkward. “The flying airplanes releases” and “protect environment from being polluted” do not sound natural, while “advantages of flying” does not express the intended comparison with the costs of reducing flights. There is also a spelling error in “advantagdes.” Aim for more precise topic-specific phrasing and check collocations and spelling during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “although,” “if,” and “which,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, the range is limited and errors occur frequently, particularly in sentence construction and articles. For example, “the flying airplanes releases” has faulty agreement, and “protect environment” is missing an article. In “the benefits to reduce the number of times,” the grammatical pattern is not controlled; a gerund or a different construction is needed. The sentence beginning “For example, by transporting goods early…” is also incomplete as written, because the introductory phrase lacks a clear main clause. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, article use, and complete sentences, then check each complex sentence for a clear main clause.

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