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)

At present times, more people are choosing to reduce their air travel or completely stop travelling from one place to another beacuse of environmental concern. Although this is difficult for some individuals. But according to me there are more advantages than disadvantges.

On one side reducing air travel can cause problems to several bussiness. Firstly people who travel abroad for work, education and holidays may face problems. For exapmle businessman or student who live and work in another country and use planes for urgently reaching their destinations can face a problem due to low availibility of flying. And secondly it will take more time to people to reach their destinations. And flying associations as well resturants will face face difficulties because of low income generated due to travelling of less peolple.

On the other hand reducing air travel has better effects on environment and surroundings. Airplanes produce a large amount of carbon dioxide which can cause green house effect and is also injurious to health becomes less. And people can choose to travel on bus or rail for short distances instead of domestic flights. These alternatives are generally more environmentally friendly.

In addition protecting environment is not only important for present generation but also important for future generation. Although due ban on flying some bussinesses could suffer but gradually new ways to shorten distance will be crfeated such as online meetings.

In conclusion, to keep our envronment free from poisons and pollutions it is necessary to stop flying and alternative methods such as online meeting shall be arrenged.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear overall view that the environmental benefits outweigh the disadvantages, and you address both sides of the question. Relevant points include the difficulties for people travelling for work or study, reduced income for travel-related businesses, and lower emissions when people use buses or trains. However, several ideas are asserted rather than explained. For example, the claim that reduced flying will cause “low availability” is not clearly linked to people choosing to fly less, and the effects on restaurants are mentioned without showing how significant they would be. The environmental case also needs more specific support, such as explaining how fewer flights reduce emissions. Develop and illustrate your main reasons more fully to make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, paragraphs presenting disadvantages and benefits, and a conclusion. This helps the reader follow the broad direction of your argument. You also use signposts such as “On one side,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion.” However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and linking can feel mechanical. The first body paragraph combines travel difficulties with business income, while the final body paragraph introduces online meetings without clearly connecting this example to the environmental argument. Some transitions, such as “Although” at the start of the second sentence in the introduction, leave an incomplete contrast. Group related points more carefully and use clear links to show how each example supports your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “air travel,” “carbon dioxide,” “green house effect,” and “environmentally friendly,” so the subject is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to interpret. For instance, “flying associations” is unclear in this context, and “free from poisons and pollutions” is not a natural way to describe environmental protection. There are also frequent spelling errors, including “beacuse,” “disadvantges,” and “availibility.” Build a more precise set of expressions for aviation, emissions, and business impacts, and check spelling carefully. More accurate phrasing will make your ideas easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex forms, including “Although this is difficult for some individuals” and the sentence beginning “Although due ban on flying…,” but these structures are often incomplete or faulty. The opening “Although this is difficult for some individuals. But…” creates a sentence fragment and an unnecessary second connector. Other examples include “it will take more time to people to reach” and “Airplanes produce… which can cause… becomes less,” where sentence structure and relationships between clauses are unclear. There are also errors with articles, agreement, and punctuation. Most sentences remain understandable, but these recurring problems can make the reader pause. Practise building complete sentences with one clear main clause, then check verb forms and clause connections.

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