Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-01

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)

Some people have decided to either minimise flying each year or to completely stop altogether owing to the environmental benefits that this outcome brings. While many people argue that stopping to fly does have an impact on reducing carbon emmissions in the enviroment, meanwhile others think it does not outweight the drawbacks that this brings on individual and business travellers. This essay will will examine both perspectives.

Just like any other means of transport, flying by air causes pollution to the atmosphere because a plane uses fuel to power it's engines, that results in carbon dioxide being emmitted in the sky.

For example we have had cases of global warming in the world due to pollution in the sky and this has led to most of the parts of the world to experience prolonged draught and heat.

On the other hand, it goes without saying that, flying may have an impact on the long term sustainability of the environment, but, we cant run away from the fact that, flying offers the quickest and most effecient mode of transport in world. Individuals and businesses depend on this form of transportation to attend meets across the world and for people wishing to visit places that can only accessed via air. For instance, a business man wishing to go for a meeting in a different country would find air transport very convinient and quicker way to travel.

In conclusion, even though air transport off the a fast mode transport, the impact of flying on the environment has to be considered as well and people ought to be encouraged to also consider using other modes of transport as well.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response recognises the environmental case for reducing flights and the convenience they provide to individuals and businesses, so it is relevant to the question. However, it does not clearly answer the central comparison: whether the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The introduction says others believe the drawbacks are greater, but the conclusion only says the environmental impact should be considered and people should use other transport; it never states which side you support. The environmental point is also brief, while the disadvantages are illustrated mainly through one business-meeting example. Develop the comparison by explaining the scale or lasting effects of aviation emissions against the practical costs of reduced travel, then give a clear, consistent judgement in both the introduction and conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph about pollution, a contrasting paragraph about travel benefits, and a conclusion. This helps the reader follow the broad direction of the response. However, progression within the argument is limited, and some linking is mechanical or confusing. For example, “While many people argue …, meanwhile others think” combines two contrasting linkers awkwardly, and “On the other hand” introduces the travel-benefit paragraph without clearly connecting it to the environmental point. The conclusion also repeats the general contrast rather than resolving it. Use one clear linker at a time, make each paragraph develop a distinct reason with explanation and evidence, and use the final paragraph to state the position established by the argument.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate its main ideas, including “carbon dioxide,” “global warming,” “sustainability,” and “mode of transport.” There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “long term sustainability.” However, spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable and sometimes make the wording less clear: “emmissions,” “enviroment,” “outweight,” and “effecient” are misspelled, while “cases of global warming” and “pollution in the sky” are imprecise. Some expressions are also unnatural, such as “stop altogether” after “completely.” Check spelling carefully and choose precise collocations, for example “aviation emissions,” “contribute to global warming,” and “reduce the frequency of flights.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The essay attempts a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including a concession in “even though air transport…” and a relative clause in “places that can only accessed via air.” These attempts show some range, but errors recur and occasionally make sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “a plane uses fuel … that results,” where the clause connection is faulty; “a different country” after “in,” where the article is missing; and “places that can only accessed,” which needs “be accessed.” There are also sentence-boundary and punctuation problems in the long opening contrast, as well as “will will examine.” Practise building accurate complex sentences, checking verb forms and articles, and proofreading for repeated words and comma placement.

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