Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-28

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 7.0)

Some people believe that in the future, all vehicles will be driverless, meaning that passengers will no longer need to drive. In my opinion, the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages, although some concerns still need to be addressed.

One major benefit of driverless vehicles is improved road safety. Most accidents are caused by human errors such as speeding, tiredness, or distraction. Since driverless vehicles are controlled by computer systems, they can follow traffic rules precisely and react faster than humans in dangerous situations. This could significantly reduce the number of road accidents and save many lives.

Another advantage is that driverless vehicles can save time and increase productivity. Passengers will be free to work, rest, or study during their journey instead of focusing on driving. This is particularly useful for people with long commutes, as they can use this time more effectively.

However, there are some disadvantages that cannot be ignored. Firstly, the technology is extremely expensive to develop and maintain, which may make driverless vehicles unaffordable for many people, at least in the early stages. Secondly, there are concerns about job losses, since millions of people currently work as drivers of taxis, buses, and trucks. If vehicles become fully automated, many of these workers could lose their jobs.

Despite these drawbacks, I believe the benefits are more significant in the long run. Improved safety and increased productivity will have a greater positive impact on society than the temporary economic challenges caused by this shift.

In conclusion, although driverless vehicles bring certain challenges, particularly regarding cost and employment, their advantages in terms of safety and efficiency make them a positive development for the future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The arguments regarding safety and productivity are well-developed, and the counter-arguments concerning cost and employment are also clearly presented. The essay maintains a consistent focus on the topic throughout. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis of the 'long-term' societal impacts mentioned in the conclusion, as the current development is somewhat general.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'One major benefit', 'Another advantage', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the relationship between ideas is clear. The flow is smooth, though the use of cohesive devices is somewhat standard; more sophisticated linking could elevate the score further.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses relevant terminology such as 'automated', 'human errors', and 'economic challenges'. The range is adequate to convey ideas with precision. While the vocabulary is accurate, it is largely functional and lacks a wider range of less common or idiomatic expressions that would demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For instance, the use of conditional and relative clauses ('If vehicles become fully automated, many of these workers could lose their jobs') is accurate. The punctuation is generally correct, and the majority of sentences are error-free. While the grammar is reliable, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited, and the sentence variety could be increased to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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

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