Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-31

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)

IN RECENT YEARS, NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN TO TRAVEL LESS BY AIR OR GIVE UP FLYING COMPLETELY. THIS DECISION IS MAINLY DRIVEN BY GROWING CONCERN ABOUT ENVIORNMENTAL CHANGE. ALTHOUGH THIS CHANGE MAY CREATE CERTAIN DIFFICULTIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BUISNESSES. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE VALID POINTS, AND THE OVERALL IMPACT DEPENDS UPON HOW THIS CHANGE IS MANAGED.

THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF REDUCING AIR TRAVEL IS THAT IT CAN HELP TO REDUCE POLLUTION AND PROTECT THE ENVIORNMENT. AEROPLANES RELEASE LARGE AMOUNT OF CARBON DIOXIDE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE. IF FEWER PEOPLE CHOOSE TO FLY, FOR INSTANCE IF AN PERSON IS TRAVELLING WITHIN THE COUNTRY AND THERE IS NO SUCH NEED TO TRAVEL THROUGH AIRPLANE THEN DEF.INATELY IT'S USE SHOULD BE AVOIDED BECAUSE IF THERE WILL BE NO PEOPLE TO FLY WHY WOULD FLIGHTS TAKEOFF WITHOUT PASSENGERS.

ON THE OTHER HAND THIS STEP MAY HAVE SOME NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE BUSINESSES. FIRSTLY, PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL TO ABROAD FOR WORK, EDUCATION OR FAMILY REASONS MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO REPLACE AIR TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELLING LONG DISTANCES. IN ADDITION, AIRLINES, HOTELS AND TOURISM MAY FACE FINANCIAL LOSES IF FEWER PEOPLE TRAVEL BY PLANES. THIS CAN ALSO LEAD TO UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG THE PEOPLE.

IN CONCLUSION, REDUCING AIR TRAVEL MAY CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES TO SOME BUSINESSES, I BELIEVE THAT THE ENVIORNMENTAL BENEFITS ARE MUCH GREATER BUT IT WILL SOMEHOW STOP OUR COUNTRY TO GROW IF WE IMPLY THIS.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both sides of the question and give a clear overall view that environmental benefits are greater, particularly in the conclusion. The points about aviation emissions, travel needs for work or family, and possible job losses are relevant. However, the position is not fully consistent: the introduction says the impact depends on management and that both sides have valid points, while the conclusion says the benefits are much greater but also suggests reduced flying could hinder national growth. The environmental argument is illustrated mainly with a hypothetical domestic journey, and the business disadvantages are listed rather than explained. Develop these points with specific examples and explain more directly why the environmental gains outweigh the costs.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph on environmental benefits, a paragraph on disadvantages, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the broad direction. However, progression within the first body paragraph is less clear: the example about a domestic journey leads into a rhetorical question about empty flights rather than clearly explaining how fewer passengers reduce emissions. The conclusion also combines the environmental judgement with an unclear point about national growth. Use clearer links between each claim and its explanation, and make the final paragraph summarise the same position established in the introduction. Paragraphing is appropriate, but some connections and references need clearer handling.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “carbon dioxide,” “global warming,” “air travel,” “financial difficulties,” and “unemployment,” which allows you to discuss both environmental and economic effects. There are also noticeable spelling and word-choice problems, such as “enviornmental,” “buisnesses,” “financial loses,” and “imply this.” Some phrases are awkward or imprecise, including “travel through airplane” and “stop our country to grow,” which make parts of the argument harder to interpret. Aim for accurate collocations and check spelling carefully. A more precise range of expressions for emissions, alternatives to flying, and effects on tourism would help you explain your ideas more clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including a conditional sentence beginning “If fewer people choose to fly” and a relative clause in “carbon dioxide … which contributes to global warming.” These attempts show some range, but several sentences contain errors in structure, agreement, articles, or punctuation. For example, “Although this change may create certain difficulties…” is a fragment, and “A large amount of carbon dioxide” would require a different article and noun form from the wording used. The long sentence beginning “for instance if an person…” is difficult to follow and contains several grammatical problems. Practise building complete sentences with one clear main clause, then check articles, subject–verb agreement, and punctuation in longer sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.