Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-03

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)

Certain individuals have chose to decrease the number of times they fly every year or to stop travelling through airplanes altogether. Although aeroplanes have been one of the greatest discoveries in the history of evolution, I believe that the environmental benefits of this development outweigh the disadvantages.

The decline in the number of people travelling through air transport has several gains. Firstly, airplanes consume fuel for flying, mainly kerosene which can degrade the environment. For instance, planes for uncommon routes often have fewer people flying with vacant seats carrying limited number of passages, this can be eliminated if people use other modes of transportation. Moreover, a decrease in the number of passangers travelling by air can reduce the frequency of aeroplanes leading to reduced air and noise pollution.

However, on the other hand, there are multiple drawbacks for indiviudals and businesses such as the decline in the frequency of the number of people flying can affect tourism sector which is essential for a country's economy and status. Futhermore, businesses could be impacted due to decline in inter-country trade. This could affect the profits of the aviation sector. As a result, people could lose jobs in this industry. For example, reducing the frequency of aeroplanes between a route could lead to lay-offs. This could cause distress and can impact families who are dependent on the aviation to run their house.

Ramification of environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses and hence I believe that this is a positive development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear position in the introduction and conclusion: you believe the environmental gains outweigh the disadvantages. You also address both sides, mentioning fuel use, pollution, tourism, trade and aviation jobs. However, several points are asserted rather than explained—for example, the link between fewer flights and reduced pollution is not supported with a specific example, and the business effects are only briefly outlined. The response is also below the required 250 words: it contains 230 words, with 20 words copied from the prompt excluded from the count. Develop each main point with a clearer explanation or relevant example, and use the additional space to explain why the environmental benefits outweigh the economic and personal costs.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph on environmental benefits, a paragraph on disadvantages, and a conclusion. This helps the reader follow the broad direction of the argument. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and some linking is mechanical or confusing. For instance, “However, on the other hand” repeats the contrast, while “Ramification of environmental benefits outweigh…” does not clearly connect the conclusion to the preceding discussion. Some ideas also run together in the long example about less-used routes. Use one clear transition at a time, organise each paragraph around a central point, and make references between sentences explicit so the argument develops more smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “air and noise pollution,” “tourism sector,” “inter-country trade” and “aviation sector,” which allows you to discuss both environmental and economic effects. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “environmental benefits” and “frequency.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or awkward, as in “passages” for passengers, “run their house,” and “greatest discoveries in the history of evolution.” Spelling errors such as “passangers,” “indiviudals” and “Futhermore” are noticeable. Aim for precise, natural combinations and check spelling; this will make your meaning clearer and help you express the argument with greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a concession in “Although aeroplanes have been…” and a conditional example beginning “This could affect…”. Meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “Certain individuals have chose” should use the past participle “chosen,” and “aeroplanes have been one of the greatest discoveries” has an agreement problem. The sentence beginning “For instance, planes for uncommon routes…” is also difficult to follow because its clauses are not joined clearly. Practise checking subject–verb agreement and verb forms, and divide long sentences when their relationships are unclear.

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

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