Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
Some people argue that they should reduce or completely ambolish their air flights. In my opinion, there are several advantages and disadvatanges of it, both for indivduals and their professional lives. This essay will discuss all points along with my view.
On the one hand, it has benefits in term of money saving. Flights and espacially international flights are very costly in comparison with other transports. Hence its reduction will definately save money. For example, instead of twice or thrice tours per month, one should go for only once a month for their personal work. Although some can afford multiple flights in a months, money should not be wasted for such purposes without any professional work.
On the other hand, for businsses and professional work it has various disadvantages. In businsses a person should be present at meetings during deals, otherwise their organization may lose many growing options. For example, to lock a business deal outside the country, company boss should go there by air for welbeing of their company.
In my opinion, there ahould be a balance of both. Do not travel without any main reason. If someone has enough money they should plan a trip once a year instead of many trips. Moreover, as far as professional work matter, people should be serious about it.
In conclusion , I would say stop flying altogather is not a good practice at all both for a single person as well as for professional work.
Hence, both may have benefits and drawbacks.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
You give a general position that flying should be limited rather than stopped altogether, and you mention effects on both personal spending and business travel. However, the response only partially answers the central question: it does not explain the environmental benefits of reducing flights, or directly weigh those benefits against the disadvantages. The personal example focuses on saving money, while the business example says a manager may need to attend an overseas meeting, but neither idea is developed with much explanation or evidence. The conclusion repeats that stopping altogether is not good practice without resolving whether the environmental gains outweigh the costs. To strengthen the response, address the environmental impact explicitly and compare it with the practical consequences for individuals and businesses.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs, a personal view and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the broad direction. However, progression is limited: the first body paragraph discusses saving money rather than the environmental side of the question, and the final paragraph introduces a balance without clearly connecting it to the earlier comparison. Some linking is mechanical, and the conclusion’s “Hence” does not establish a clear result from the preceding points. Develop each paragraph around one relevant claim, then use explicit comparisons to show how the benefits and disadvantages relate.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some task-related vocabulary, including “international flights,” “meetings,” “business deal,” and “professional work,” so the main topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make the writing less precise, such as “ambolish,” “disadvatanges,” “businsses,” and “altogather.” Some expressions are also unnatural or unclear, including “growing options,” “lock a business deal,” and “for welbeing of their company.” Aim for accurate collocations and more specific language about emissions, travel alternatives, and business costs. Proofreading spelling and checking whether phrases sound natural in context would make your ideas easier to understand.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
You attempt a mixture of simple sentences and longer structures, including a conditional example beginning “Although some can afford…” and a sentence using “otherwise.” Most sentences communicate a basic meaning, but errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles and punctuation remain noticeable. For example, “Flights and especially international flights are very costly in comparison with other transports” has an awkward plural construction, while “company boss should go there by air” needs clearer article use. The fragment-like instruction “Do not travel without any main reason” also interrupts the paragraph’s sentence pattern, and “In conclusion ,” has incorrect spacing. Practise building accurate complex sentences and check articles, plurals and punctuation during revision.
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