Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-11

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 7.5)

In the contemporary world, technological advancements have significantly transformed our lives. One such development is the increasing use of automated vehicles, which are expected to operate without human intervention in the future. Consequently, people travelling in these vehicles will simply be passengers. Although driverless transport can provide greater convenience and leisure opportunities, I believe that its potential safety risks mean that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

One of the foremost benefits of driverless modes of transport is that they allow individuals to relax and use their travelling time more productively. Since passengers do not need to concentrate on driving or remain highly attentive to the road, they can spend their journey doing activities that would otherwise be impossible while driving. For example, they could read a book, prepare or eat a meal, sip tea or coffee with snacks, listen to music, or have a conversation with family members. This could make travelling less tiring and provide people with valuable leisure time, particularly during long journeys. For instance, a person travelling in a self-driving car could use the journey to read a book or talk to family members instead of concentrating on driving. Therefore, driverless vehicles could make daily travel more comfortable and enjoyable.

On the other hand, completely relying on automated cars, buses and trucks could put human lives at considerable risk. Millions of people travel by public transport every day, and any malfunction in the software or other automated systems could potentially endanger a large number of passengers. Unlike conventional vehicles, where a driver can sometimes respond immediately to unexpected situations, passengers in a fully automated vehicle may have little or no control if the system fails. For example, if the navigation system or sensors of a driverless bus or car suddenly malfunction, the vehicle could fail to detect an obstacle or respond appropriately, potentially causing a serious accident and putting the lives of passengers at risk. Therefore, although autonomous transport offers convenience, excessive dependence on technology could make even a minor technical failure a serious threat to human safety.

In conclusion, driverless vehicles can provide significant benefits by allowing passengers to relax and make better use of their travelling time. However, the possibility of software malfunctions and technical failures could put passengers' lives at risk. For this reason, I believe that the disadvantages of completely automated transport outweigh its advantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments for both sides are well-developed, with specific examples provided for the benefits of leisure time and the risks of technical failure. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively summarises your stance. To reach a higher band, you could further develop the 'disadvantages' section by discussing potential solutions or mitigation strategies, which would demonstrate a more nuanced understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'Consequently'. The use of referencing is clear, and paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow your argument from start to finish. The cohesion is well-managed throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'technological advancements', 'human intervention', and 'excessive dependence' show a strong command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, it is generally functional rather than highly sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common idiomatic expressions. For instance, instead of 'make better use of', you might use 'optimise' or 'capitalise on'. Overall, the lexical range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If the navigation system... the vehicle could fail...') and concessive clauses ('Although autonomous transport offers...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To reach the highest band, ensure that you continue to vary your sentence length and complexity even further to maintain a high level of fluency.

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