Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-24

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)

In recent years, driverless cars have become increasingly common in many parts of the world. Although this development may give rise to certain challenges, I believe that its advantages outweigh its disadvantages, particularly in terms of greater independence and lower accident rates.

The most significant advantage of driverless cars is that they provide greater independence for people with disabilities. This is mainly because they can be particularly helpful for people who are unable to drive themselves. As a result, they can travel to different places independently whenever they want. A clear example of this can be seen in many Asian countries, where people with disabilities can benefit from autonomous vehicles by gaining greater mobility. Therefore, this aspect of driverless vehicles can have a particularly positive impact on society.

Another important advantage is that driverless cars can reduce road accidents. This is largely because their automated systems can maintain a consistent speed and do not become tired or distracted. This can lead to a reduction in the number of accidents. For instance, an autonomous vehicle can continuously monitor the road and react to potential dangers without experiencing fatigue. Consequently, fewer road accidents can contribute considerably to lower death rates, further strengthening the case for driverless vehicles.

In conclusion, while driverless cars may have some drawbacks, I personally believe that their advantages outweigh their disadvantages. In particular, their positive effects in terms of greater independence and fewer road accidents make them a worthwhile development overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses the prompt by discussing the advantages of driverless vehicles, but it fails to address the disadvantages in any meaningful way. The prompt asks if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, which implies a balanced discussion or at least an acknowledgment of the opposing side. By only mentioning 'some drawbacks' in the conclusion without detailing them, the response is underdeveloped. Furthermore, the essay is 243 words long, falling short of the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length impacts the depth of the argument, as the ideas are not fully extended. To improve, you must dedicate at least one paragraph to the potential disadvantages, such as cybersecurity risks or job losses, to provide a more comprehensive response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, such as 'The most significant advantage of driverless cars is that they provide greater independence'. Cohesive devices like 'This is mainly because', 'As a result', and 'Consequently' are used effectively to link ideas. However, the transition between the lack of disadvantages and the conclusion is abrupt. The progression of ideas is generally smooth, but the overall structure feels somewhat formulaic. To reach a higher band, ensure that the logical flow between paragraphs is more sophisticated and that the argument is more balanced.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some precise terms like 'autonomous vehicles', 'potential dangers', and 'consistent speed'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the word 'advantage' is used repeatedly to start paragraphs. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions. To improve, try to vary your vocabulary by using synonyms or more academic collocations. For example, instead of repeating 'advantage', you could use 'benefit', 'merit', or 'positive attribute'. Expanding your range of topic-specific vocabulary will help you achieve a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'Although' clauses and 'because' clauses. Most sentences are error-free, and punctuation is generally accurate. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited; the essay relies heavily on standard subject-verb-object patterns. To achieve a higher band, incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'It is often argued that...') or conditional sentences (e.g., 'If these systems were to fail, the consequences could be severe...'). This would demonstrate greater flexibility and control.

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

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