Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-07

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Using a cell phone while driving is dangerous because it causes the driver to become distracted. Therefore, cell phone use by drivers should be made illegal.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

Student answer (Band 5.5)

There is an on-going debate regarding cell phone usage while driving and hence should be made illegal. I certainly agree with the given statement. Using a cell phone while driving should be detained the driver. My explanations are discussed in the following paragraphs.

The principal argument to clarify my position is to meet with an accident when using a cell phone while driving. This is to say that drivers are easily distracted while using a smartphone. The cell phone makes them distracted and hence increases the possibility of getting an accident. For instance, drivers on highways need to be focused and active as vehicles are running at a relatively higher speed. Losing a focus for a fraction of second could be dangerous in such circumstances. Therefore, there should be a law enforced to put restriction on using a cell phone while driving. Furthermore, it could lead to a traffic problem. Since the driver focuses on their smartphone instead of doing their primary job, they could lead to a traffic problem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 170 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the arguments remain superficial and repetitive. While you state a clear position, the lack of length prevents you from fully exploring the implications of the topic or providing a well-rounded discussion. To improve, you must expand your points with more detailed explanations and additional examples. Currently, the response is too brief to adequately address the task, resulting in an under-developed argument that does not meet the criteria for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Furthermore' and 'Therefore,' but the connection between sentences is often repetitive. For example, the phrase 'This is to say that' is used to introduce ideas that have already been stated. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that each sentence builds logically upon the previous one rather than simply restating the same point in different words. The overall structure is clear, but the lack of depth makes the flow feel somewhat disjointed.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'using a cell phone' and 'getting an accident.' There are also some awkward word choices, such as 'should be detained the driver,' which is grammatically and lexically incorrect in this context. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and academic vocabulary. Instead of repeating 'distracted' or 'problem,' try to incorporate more sophisticated synonyms that demonstrate a broader command of the English language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors that occasionally impede clarity. For instance, 'should be detained the driver' is a significant grammatical error. You also have issues with word order and preposition usage, such as 'Losing a focus for a fraction of second.' While the meaning is generally understandable, these errors are frequent enough to affect the flow of your writing. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, and proofread your work to catch basic errors in sentence construction.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.