Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-04

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)

There are several means of transportation and by mean of aeroplane is one of them. In this modern world, people prefer fast mode of transportation to reached the desired destination. There is no doubt, everything has some pros and cons. In my opinion, it may have very less environmental benefits than its affects on individuals and businesses.

To begin with, we are aware of the fact that travelling by air affects the environment, as the gases and carbon release by the plane drastically affects the ozone layer and causes its depletion. Ozone depletion means there is a transparent layer which filters the sun rays before reaching earth. When this layer get damage by several activities it unable to filter the rays and those rays may have affects on the environment. It is totally environmental friendly if everyone use commercial flights instead of personal. In this way it becomes as public transport and a fastest mean of transportation. There may be no benefit if just only few people decides to reduce the number of flights or stop flying altogether.

Moreover, people who have to travel overseas or some travel for business purposes unable to reduce the use of air travelling. Because there is no alternative of this. If they stop flying altogether they have a drastic affect on everyone's lives. Businesses get disturbed and there will be delay in communication because the alternative means is by ship which is far more dangerous and time consuming than aeroplane. Although, travel by air is costly and everyone can not afford to fly without purpose. There are some effects on the environment but it has more advantages than its drawbacks.

In conclusion, boycott is not the solution, we can make its use limited according to one's requirements. This is the only way we can reduce its effects on the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear overall view that the disadvantages of reducing flights outweigh the environmental benefits, especially for people travelling overseas and businesses needing communication. You also acknowledge aviation’s environmental impact and suggest limiting flights to necessary journeys. However, the comparison is only partly developed: the claim that reducing flights has “very less environmental benefits” is not supported with evidence or a clear explanation of how individual reductions affect emissions. The discussion also shifts to the benefits of commercial flights over personal flights, which does not directly answer whether fewer flights bring benefits that outweigh the costs. Develop both sides with specific examples and explain why one side is more significant.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Moreover,” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the argument. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the point about commercial flights follows the explanation of ozone depletion without a clear link, and the second body paragraph moves from overseas travel to business communication and then affordability. Some connections are also difficult to follow, particularly “There may be no benefit if just only few people decides…”. Group related points together and use clearer cause-and-effect links so the reader can see how each example supports your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “ozone layer,” “depletion,” “commercial flights,” and “business purposes,” and the main ideas are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “carbon release by the plane,” “affects on individuals,” and “fastest mean of transportation.” These choices sometimes make the intended meaning less precise. There is also repetition of “affect” and “environment,” and “boycott” is not quite suitable for describing a reduction in air travel. Build a more precise set of expressions for emissions, environmental impact, and business travel, and check whether each word fits its context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including conditional and subordinate structures such as “If they stop flying altogether…” and “When this layer get damage…”. However, attempts at longer sentences are often faulty, and errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to understand. Examples include “people prefer fast mode … to reached,” “this layer get damage,” and “There is no alternative of this,” which show problems with verb forms, agreement, and sentence patterns. Articles and plurals are also inconsistent, as in “a fastest mean” and “few people decides.” Practise building accurate sentences with one main idea at a time, then check subject–verb agreement and verb forms before adding clauses.

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