Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-06

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In the future all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless. The only people travelling inside these vehicles will be passengers.

Do you think the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages?

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

Student answer (Band 6.0)

It is predicted that in the near future, all vehicles including cars, buses and trucks will operate without human drivers and will only carry passengers. While this development will bring certain problems, I believe that the benefits are far greater.

To begin with, the biggest advantage of driverless vehicles is improved road safety. The majority of road accidents today are caused by human error such as speeding, drunk driving, or distraction. Self-driving vehicles use sensors, cameras and AI to follow traffic rules precisely and react faster than humans. As a result the number of crashes and fatalities could be reduced dramatically. For example studies show that autonomous cars can detect pedestrians and obstacles 24/7 without getting tired.

Furthermore, driverless technology will make transportation more efficient and convenient. Without the need for a driver, people will be able to use travel time for work, rest or entertainment. Elderly people and those with disabilities who cannot drive will also gain independence. In addition, self-driving trucks and buses can operate 24 hours a day which will reduce delivery times and public transport costs. this will lead to a smoother and more productive economy.

However, there are some disadvantages that cannot be ignored. One major concern is job losses. Millions of people around the world work as drivers, and automation could make them unemployed. Another issue is a technology failure. If the software of a driverless vehicle malfunctioned or gets hacked, it could cause serious accidents. People may also not trust machines to make life-or-death decisions on the road.

In conclusion, despite the challenges of unemployment and technical risks, I believe the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The arguments regarding road safety and efficiency are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of 24/7 operation and accessibility for the elderly. The counter-arguments regarding job losses and technical risks are also clearly presented. The response maintains a consistent position throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the analysis of the disadvantages to match the depth of the advantages, perhaps by discussing potential solutions to the job loss issue, which would provide a more balanced and nuanced exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'However' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages from the disadvantages. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is clear. To improve, ensure that referencing is always precise; for instance, in the third paragraph, the transition 'this will lead to' could be more explicitly linked to the previous sentence to enhance the cohesion further.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Terms such as 'autonomous', 'fatalities', 'automation', and 'malfunctioned' are used correctly and appropriately in context. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which adds to the academic tone of the essay. While the vocabulary is generally accurate, there are minor instances where word choice could be more sophisticated. For example, 'biggest advantage' is acceptable but could be elevated. Overall, the lexical range is good and allows for clear communication of complex ideas without any strain on the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional structures ('If the software... malfunctioned') and relative clauses effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of punctuation is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as 'malfunctioned or gets hacked' (tense inconsistency) and the lack of capitalization at the start of the sentence 'this will lead to'. Despite these minor errors, the grammatical control is high, and the meaning is never obscured. To achieve a higher score, ensure consistent tense usage and pay closer attention to sentence-level mechanics during proofreading.

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

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