Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-14

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 future, cars, buses and trucks may operate without drivers, meaning that the people inside these vehicles will only be passengers. Although this development could lead to job losses for professional drivers, I believe that the advantages of driverless vehicles will outweigh the disadvantages, particularly because they could improve road safety and traffic management.

One major advantage of introducing driverless vehicles is that they could have a positive impact on road traffic and safety. Since these vehicles would be controlled by sophisticated algorithms and artificial intelligence, they would not be affected by human errors such as tiredness, distraction or careless driving. As a result, there could be fewer traffic accidents and a more systematic flow of vehicles on the roads. For example, autonomous taxis could follow traffic regulations consistently and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, which could help reduce accidents and congestion.

On the other hand, the widespread use of driverless vehicles could result in significant job losses. Many people currently work as taxi drivers, bus drivers and truck drivers, so replacing these workers with automated systems could create financial difficulties for them and their families. This could be particularly problematic in countries where driving is a major source of employment. However, I believe that governments and companies could help affected workers by providing retraining programmes and helping them develop new skills. In this way, former drivers could move into other areas of employment related to technology, logistics or vehicle maintenance.

In conclusion, the introduction of driverless cars, buses and trucks may cause job losses among professional drivers, which is a significant disadvantage. However, I believe that the benefits are greater because autonomous vehicles could reduce human error, improve road safety and help manage traffic more efficiently. Therefore, the advantages of driverless vehicles are likely to outweigh their disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments regarding road safety and job displacement are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning. You provide a balanced view by acknowledging the disadvantage while effectively refuting it with a counter-argument about government intervention. The ideas are extended appropriately, and the conclusion provides a clear summary of your stance. To reach a band 9, you could further deepen the analysis by briefly touching upon other potential implications, such as environmental impacts or the cost of infrastructure, to show a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'However'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through your argument without any confusion. The cohesive devices are used naturally and do not feel mechanical, which is a hallmark of high-level writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'sophisticated algorithms', 'systematic flow', and 'widespread use' show an ability to use less common lexical items with precision. The collocation is generally natural, and there are no significant errors in word choice that impede meaning. To move into the band 8-9 range, you could incorporate more sophisticated, topic-specific collocations or idiomatic expressions related to technology and socio-economic shifts, such as 'technological paradigm shift' or 'mitigate the socio-economic fallout'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, including conditional sentences ('If... would...') and relative clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms effectively to maintain interest and clarity. There are no persistent grammatical errors, and the few minor slips do not interfere with communication. Your control over tense and modal verbs is particularly strong, which is essential for discussing future scenarios.

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