Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-30

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)

The assertion that by reducing the number of times they fly each each or stop flying altogether, environment will be benefited is generated considerable debate in recent years. Although, there are valid arguments on both sides. I strongly agree with this statement primarily to the fact the pollution will decrease and birds can fly higher without any accidents.

The foremost argument underpinning my opinion is that it will reduce the air pollution. The substantial attribute to this fact is that if the number of flies will reduce then less flights will fly as the result less fuel is required, it will save the resources and also smoke will be reduced which will surely protect the environment.

Equally significant is the fact that birds can fly more freely. The pertinent example of this can be birds rate died by flights will reduce if the number of lights will decrease. This will save the species from distinction and protect the nature by saving the natural creatures. This clearly justifies my point of view that by reducing the number of flights environment will get benefits.

In contrary, this will reduce the growth of the nation as people going abroad for business meetings and brand promotions will face a lot of problems and it will also reduce the interaction of people with their loved ones as they do not get chance to meet.

In conclusion, even after the existance of counterarguments, i am firmly in the favour of my point of view that by reducing the number of flights every year pollution will be reduced and natural species will be reserved from extinction which will benefit the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear: you believe the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages, and you give relevant reasons, including reduced pollution and fewer bird deaths. You also acknowledge costs to business and personal relationships, so both sides of the question are addressed. However, the advantages are not developed enough to fully support your conclusion. For example, the claim that fewer flights mean less fuel use and smoke is plausible, but you do not explain the scale or wider environmental impact. The point about birds is also unclear and unsupported by a specific example. The disadvantages are mentioned only briefly, without weighing their importance against the benefits. Develop each point with explanation and a concrete example, and make the comparison explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two paragraphs on environmental benefits, a paragraph on disadvantages, and a conclusion. This gives the reader an overall route through your argument, and linking phrases such as “Equally significant” and “In conclusion” help signal stages. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, particularly in the bird paragraph, where the example and its consequences are not clearly connected. Some transitions are mechanical or inaccurate, such as “In contrary,” and the opening sentence contains an abrupt shift to “Although” without completing the contrast. Use clearer links between claim, explanation, and example, and ensure each paragraph develops one main idea in a logical sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt some topic-related vocabulary, including “air pollution,” “fuel,” “species,” and “extinction,” and phrases such as “counterarguments” show an effort to use a more formal register. However, the range is limited and several noticeable word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors make parts of the argument difficult to understand. For instance, “number of flies” and “number of lights” appear to mean flights, while “species from distinction” seems to mean species from extinction. “Birds rate died” is also unclear. These are not just minor slips because they obscure key points. Choose precise topic vocabulary and check spelling and collocations; for example, describe “bird deaths caused by aircraft” rather than using an unclear phrase.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple sentences and attempts at longer structures, including conditional clauses such as “if the number of flies will reduce” and a concession in the introduction. However, complex sentences are often not controlled successfully, and errors in verb forms, articles, agreement, and sentence construction sometimes make the meaning hard to follow. For example, “environment will be benefited is generated considerable debate” has an unclear structure, and “if the number … will reduce” uses an unsuitable verb form after “if.” The sentence beginning “Although” is also incomplete. Practise forming complete sentences and use the present simple in general conditional clauses: “if the number of flights decreases, less fuel is needed.” Proofread for sentence boundaries and consistent capitalisation.

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