Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-20

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many parts of the world, people rely on private cars for transportation.

In what ways does reliance on private cars affect the way we live?

Do the effects tend to be positive or negative?

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Reliance on private cars for transportation is the norm in many parts of the world, and there are both positive and negative effects that could result from this.

There are many reasons why people depend on private vehicles for travel. Certain areas may not have working public transport systems, and sometimes, in the event that there are systems available, they may not be reliable. Owning a car is also considered a symbol of status in many parts of the world, hence why people prefer to own cars.

On a positive note, reliance on private cars lends a state of independence to their owners. They are able to get to the places they want whenever they want without having to work around public transport schedules.

This further means that car owners are able to manage their time well, since using public transport systems means being subjected to the multiple stops that they make in picking up and dropping off their passengers. Using my own car for transport has been very beneficial to me because it has helped me to be more efficient with my daily activities. Running errands is much simpler, and if I change my mind when whilst in transit, I can easily redirect my route.

Another positive of private car ownership is the employment opportunities it brings. In areas where this phenomenon is popular, you find a crop of car maintenance service shops, such as mechanics and car washes. I lived in a small city for a few years and despite the size of the city, there seemed to be a mechanic shop within every five mile radius because so many people had cars.

Considering the negative effects, most cars in the world still run o fuel, which produces emissions that are bad for the environment. A high number of cars in a concentrated therefore means higher emissions poisoning the atmosphere.

Something else to consider is that cars create traffic, and having a lot of cars on the road could lead to traffic jams.

Additionally, owning a car increases an individual's cost of living as in addition to thinking of daily living expenses, they also have to dole out funds for car maintenance. Personally, I noticed that my monthly spending nearly doubled when I got a car and I consistently spend more on my car than I spend on almost any other living expense, except rent.

In conclusion, using one's own car to get around can be very convenient, especially when the alternatives are considered, but private car users need to be mindful and make choices that reduce the negative effect of private car usage on their lives and the environment, some of which include opting for an electric instead of a petrol one, taking public transport when available, to reduce road congestion and possible emissions, which will also spare some cost on vehicle upkeep.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying both the ways reliance on cars affects life and evaluating these effects as both positive and negative. The position is clear throughout. Ideas are well-developed, particularly the personal examples regarding time management and the economic impact of car maintenance. The conclusion provides a balanced summary and offers practical suggestions, which adds depth to the response. The ideas are relevant and supported by logical reasoning, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0 or higher. To reach a higher band, the analysis of the environmental impact could be slightly more detailed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, moving from reasons for reliance to positive effects, then negative effects, and finally a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On a positive note', 'This further means', and 'Another positive' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and referencing is clear throughout the text, demonstrating a good command of organizational features.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise. You use a range of topic-specific terms such as 'public transport systems', 'emissions', 'road congestion', and 'vehicle upkeep'. There are some good collocations like 'manage their time well' and 'employment opportunities'. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate greater flexibility. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and the tone remains appropriate for an IELTS task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For example, the use of conditional and relative clauses (e.g., 'In areas where this phenomenon is popular, you find...') shows control. There are a few minor slips, such as 'run o fuel' (typo) and 'concentrated therefore' (missing noun), but these are infrequent and do not hinder understanding. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. To improve, ensure you proofread for small typographical errors that can detract from the overall polish of the writing.

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