Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-20

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)

It is predicted that, in the future, all forms of road transport, including cars, buses and trucks, will operate without human drivers, meaning that people inside these vehicles will be passengers only. Although this development could lead to job losses and raise concerns about technological failures, I believe that its benefits, particularly in terms of road safety and convenience, would outweigh its disadvantages.

The most significant advantage of driverless vehicles is their potential to improve road safety. Human error is a major cause of road accidents, as drivers can become distracted, tired, impatient or impaired by alcohol. Autonomous vehicles, by contrast, can continuously monitor their surroundings and respond to hazards without being affected by fatigue or emotions. For example, a self-driving car could automatically maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and apply the brakes when it detects an unexpected obstacle. In addition, passengers would be able to use their travelling time productively by working, reading or simply relaxing rather than concentrating on the road.

Nevertheless, this technology could have some serious drawbacks. The most obvious concern is unemployment, particularly among professional drivers such as taxi drivers, truck drivers and bus drivers. If autonomous systems became widespread, a large number of people could lose their livelihoods. Furthermore, technological malfunctions or cyberattacks could potentially cause accidents on a large scale. Unlike a single human error, a software failure affecting numerous interconnected vehicles could have widespread consequences.

Despite these concerns, I believe that the advantages are greater. Governments and companies could provide retraining programmes for workers whose jobs are displaced, while strict safety regulations, regular software testing and cybersecurity measures could reduce technological risks. As autonomous technology becomes more sophisticated, these safeguards are also likely to improve.

In conclusion, although driverless vehicles may cause unemployment and create new technological risks, their ability to reduce human error, improve road safety and make travelling more convenient makes them a positive development overall. Therefore, I strongly believe that the advantages of driverless vehicles will outweigh their disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments for both the advantages (road safety, productivity) and disadvantages (unemployment, security risks) are well-developed and supported with relevant examples. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. The ideas are logically extended, and the response demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements. To reach a band 9, you could further deepen the analysis by briefly discussing the societal implications of the transition period between human-driven and autonomous vehicles, but the current level of development is excellent for a band 8.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'In addition', 'Nevertheless', and 'Furthermore' to link your arguments. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the topic. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through your argument without any confusion. The structure is highly effective and contributes to the overall clarity of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression of your ideas. You use topic-specific terminology such as 'autonomous systems', 'technological malfunctions', 'cyberattacks', and 'livelihoods' accurately. The collocation is natural, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice. While the vocabulary is sophisticated and appropriate for an academic context, it remains accessible and clear. You have successfully avoided repetition and used a variety of synonyms to maintain interest. The control over lexical items is strong, showing a good awareness of style and register.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although this development could lead to job losses..., I believe that its benefits... would outweigh its disadvantages.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The variety of structures, including conditional forms and passive voice, demonstrates a high level of proficiency. The writing is polished and shows a consistent command of English grammar throughout the entire response.

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