Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-25

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)

The development of driverless vehicles is likely to transform the way people travel in the future. Although this technology may have some disadvantages, I believe that its advantages will outweigh the drawbacks.

One major advantage of driverless vehicles is that they could significantly improve road safety. Human error, such as speeding, distracted driving and driving while tired, is responsible for many accidents. Autonomous vehicles, on the other hand, can use cameras, sensors and computer systems to monitor the road continuously and react quickly to dangerous situations. For example, a driverless car could automatically brake if a pedestrian suddenly crossed the road. This could reduce the number of road accidents and save many lives.

Another benefit is greater convenience and accessibility. People who cannot drive, such as elderly people, disabled individuals or those without a driving licence, could travel independently. In addition, passengers could use their travelling time to work, read or relax instead of concentrating on driving. Driverless public transport could also make journeys more efficient by following planned routes and reducing unnecessary delays.

However, there are some disadvantages. The most serious concern is the possible loss of jobs for professional drivers, including taxi drivers, truck drivers and bus drivers. Furthermore, autonomous vehicles depend heavily on sophisticated software and technology. Technical failures, cyberattacks or incorrect decisions made by computer systems could potentially cause serious accidents. There may also be concerns about who should be held responsible when a driverless vehicle causes an accident.

In conclusion, although driverless vehicles may lead to job losses and create technological and legal challenges, I believe their benefits are greater. Improved road safety, increased accessibility and greater convenience make autonomous transport a positive development overall.

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 throughout the essay. The arguments for both the advantages (safety, accessibility, efficiency) and disadvantages (job losses, technical/legal risks) are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of elderly individuals and the specific risks of cyberattacks. The ideas are logically extended, and the conclusion effectively summarises your stance. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the prompt requirements.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'However', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs focusing on advantages, one on disadvantages, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'transform the way people travel', 'autonomous vehicles', 'sophisticated software', and 'legal challenges' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is effective, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or nuanced academic synonyms to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and precisely without any noticeable errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although this technology may have some disadvantages, I believe that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, fitting the criteria for a strong performance where complex structures are used with flexibility and control.

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