Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-24
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 6.5)
In many parts of the world private cars have become an important means of transportation . Although cars provide people with convenience and freedom . I believe that relying too much on private cars has more negative effects on our lives.
Firstly, one major way private cars affect our lives is by making daily transportation more convenient . People can travel directly to their workplace, school and other destinations without depending on bus or train schedules. Secondly, cars are also particularly useful for families because they can carry several people and large amounts of shopping bags and luggage. For example, parents can easily drive their children to school and then continue to work. Therefore, private vehicles can save time and provide best flexibility in everyday life .
However, excessive reliance on cars creates several serious problems. I tend to believe that large number of vehicles on the roads leads to traffic congestion, especially during rush hours. As a result , people may spend a significant amount of time travelling instead of spending it with their families . Another significant factor is car produce exhaust emissions that contribute to air pollution and environment problems. In addition , depending on cars for even short journeys can reduce people physical activity , as they may choose to drive instead of walking or cycling.
In conclusion, private cars make transportation more comfortable, convenient and flexible. Nevertheless, i believe their disadvantages are greater because excessive car use causes traffic congestion, pollution, reduced physical activity and high expenses. Therefore, people should use cars when necessary while making greater use of public transportation, walking and cycling.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing the ways in which private cars affect our lives and clearly stating your position that the negative effects outweigh the positive ones. Your ideas are relevant and logically developed, with clear examples such as the impact on family time and the environmental consequences. To reach a higher band, ensure that your arguments are extended further; for instance, you could elaborate on the long-term societal implications of reduced physical activity. Overall, your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the response is well-focused on the task requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. The referencing is clear, and the progression of ideas from the benefits of car ownership to the drawbacks is logical and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'traffic congestion', 'exhaust emissions', and 'flexibility' correctly. There are some minor errors in word choice, such as 'environment problems' instead of 'environmental problems' and 'people physical activity' instead of 'people's physical activity'. While you use some good collocations, the range is somewhat limited. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and ensure that word forms are used accurately in context. The current vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly without any significant impediment to the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. However, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'car produce' instead of 'cars produce' and 'large number of vehicles' missing the article 'a'. Additionally, there are some punctuation errors, such as spaces before periods and commas. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, focus on subject-verb agreement and the consistent use of articles. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures while maintaining accuracy will also help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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