Tourism today creates a variety of problems, such as pollution due to flights, traffic congestion and water pollution. Some people think that governments should impose extra taxes on flights and accommodation to restrict today’s tourism industry. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this proposal?

Same questionCompare 5 different answers (Band 7–8)

Sample Response

1

While tourism contributes to economic development, it also leads to various problems, including pollution, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. Some individuals argue that governments should address these issues by imposing additional taxes on flights and accommodationaccommodations to restrict the tourism industry. This essay will present arguments in opposition to this proposal highlighting how it can reduce economic movement and hinder potential job creation.

2

Imposing extra taxes on flights and accommodation may have unintended consequences. Higher taxes can discourage tourists from visiting a destination, resulting in a decline in tourism revenue and economic opportunities for local communities. For example, let us consider a scenario where a country decides to impose additional taxes on flights and accommodation. As a result, the cost of travelling to that destination increases significantly. This could discourage potential tourists, especially those with limited budgets, from visiting the country. Additionally, people on lower incomesindividuals from lower-income backgrounds, who rely on affordable travel options, may find it even more challenging to travel to and explore new destinationsaccess and explore new destinations due to the increased financial burden of higher taxesincreased financial burden imposed by higher taxes.

3

The tourism industry plays a crucial role in generating employment and stimulating economic growth in many countries. Additional taxes could hinder the industry's ability to create jobsindustry's potential for job creation and economic development. Tourism-related businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, provide employment opportunities for local communities, contributing to income generation and poverty reduction. By imposing these additional taxesBy imposing excessive taxes, governments risk impeding the growth of these industries and depriving communities of valuable sources of income.

4

OverallSo, while the tourism industry does pose challenges, imposing extra taxes on flights and accommodationaccommodations to restrict tourism is not an effective solution. Such measures may have unintended consequences, including economic setbacks and unequal impactseconomic setbacks, and unequal impacts on individuals and local communitiesindividuals and the local community.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The response takes a consistent position and organises two relevant economic objections into clear, logically sequenced paragraphs, with generally controlled complex grammar. Development is somewhat repetitive and gives limited attention to why the stated environmental costs would not justify taxation; the main priority is to engage that rationale directly and support the opposition with a more specific counterexample or practical alternative.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

7.0
Scoring rule

The response clearly disagrees and develops relevant concerns about affordability, tourism revenue, and employment, though the case remains somewhat one-sided in its reasoning.

Next step

Address the environmental justification for the proposal directly and add a specific alternative measure or counterexample to deepen the evaluation.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

7.0
Scoring rule

The argument follows a clear progression with effective paragraphing, although the two body sections partly repeat the same economic consequence.

Next step

Give each body paragraph a more distinct function, separating the equity argument from the employment and growth argument.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.0
Scoring rule

Vocabulary is sufficiently varied and generally accurate, with occasional imprecise collocations and some repetition of key economic terms.

Next step

Use more exact phrasing for economic effects and vary repeated language about taxes, opportunities, and communities without forcing synonyms.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

8.0
Scoring rule

Complex and simple structures are combined flexibly, with most sentences error-free and only minor punctuation or form slips.

Next step

Polish comma placement and maintain consistent singular and plural forms, particularly when referring to accommodation and affected communities.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Tourism today creates a variety of problems, such as pollution due to flights, traffic congestion and water pollution. Some people think that governments should impose extra taxes on flights and accommodation to restrict today’s tourism industry. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this proposal?

Your response

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