Many people think cheap air travel should be encouraged because it gives ordinary people the freedom to travel further. However, others think that this leads to environmental problems, so air travel should be more expensive in order to decrease pollution.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Many people think cheap air travel should be encouraged because it gives ordinary people the freedom to travel further. However, others think that this leads to environmental problems, so air travel should be more expensive in order to decrease…

Cheap air travel should be encouraged or more expensive to decrease pollution - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 379 words.

In the contemporary era, the expansion of the airline industry has revolutionized global mobility, allowing ordinary people to explore distant lands with unprecedented ease. While some argue that this freedom should be promoted to foster cultural exchange and economic growth, others contend that the environmental cost is too high and that ticket prices should be raised to curb pollution. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own opinion.

On one hand, the accessibility of cheap air travel provides significant social and economic advantages. Proponents argue that it democratizes travel, enabling individuals from diverse financial backgrounds to experience different cultures, which broadens perspectives and fosters global understanding. Furthermore, budget airlines often stimulate tourism in developing nations, creating jobs and vital revenue streams for local communities. For many families, affordable flights are the only way to maintain connections across long distances, making this freedom of movement a deeply personal and practical necessity.

On the other hand, the environmental consequences of such widespread air travel are undeniable. Aviation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, significantly accelerating climate change. Critics of affordable flights argue that keeping prices artificially low encourages unnecessary travel and discourages the use of more sustainable alternatives, such as trains for shorter domestic journeys. From this perspective, increasing ticket prices—perhaps by introducing carbon taxes—would not only fund environmental initiatives but also compel consumers to reconsider their travel habits, thereby reducing the industry's total carbon footprint.

In my opinion, while the environmental concerns are valid and urgent, simply raising prices to make air travel exclusive once again is not the most effective solution. Instead of restricting the freedom to travel, governments and the aviation industry should focus on incentivizing the development of greener technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels and more energy-efficient aircraft. By investing in innovation rather than punishment, we can strive to maintain the benefits of global connectivity while minimizing the damage inflicted upon the planet.

In conclusion, cheap air travel offers undeniable opportunities for personal and economic growth, but it comes at a substantial ecological cost. While raising prices might reduce pollution, it is a blunt instrument that harms social equity. A more balanced approach, emphasizing sustainable innovation and responsible tourism, would better serve both the public and the environment in the long run.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional essay that fully satisfies all requirements of the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2. The arguments are balanced, mature, and logically structured, and the language use is sophisticated, error-free, and natural.

Task Response - 9

- The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, examining both sides of the argument and clearly stating a personal position. - The position is well-developed and supported with relevant, mature ideas. - Ideas are extended logically, demonstrating a high level of critical thinking.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- The essay exhibits a seamless flow of ideas, with each paragraph building logically upon the previous one. - Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'In my opinion' are used naturally and effectively. - Paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, distinct body paragraphs for each perspective, a specific opinion section, and a synthesis-based conclusion.

Lexical Resource - 9

- The vocabulary is sophisticated, precise, and contextually appropriate (e.g., 'democratizes', 'unprecedented ease', 'blunt instrument'). - The writer demonstrates an excellent command of collocations and idiomatic phrasing. - There are no spelling or word formation errors.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex sentence structures is employed with high precision. - Grammar and punctuation are flawless, showing sophisticated control over verb tenses and clause structures. - There are no grammatical errors observed in the text.

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