Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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 advent of autonomous transportation represents one of the most significant technological shifts of the modern era. While the transition to fully driverless cars, buses, and trucks introduces valid concerns regarding employment and system security, I firmly believe that the advantages specifically improved road safety, enhanced traffic efficiency, and greater accessibility far outweigh the disadvantages.

On the one hand, the widespread adoption of driverless technology presents notable drawbacks. The most immediate concern is the economic impact on the workforce. Millions of commercial drivers, including taxi drivers, bus operators, and long-haul truckers, risk losing their livelihoods as automation renders their roles obsolete. Additionally, there are legitimate cybersecurity risks; autonomous vehicles rely heavily on software, GPS, and network infrastructure, making them potential targets for hacking or system failures.

On the other hand, the primary benefit of autonomous vehicles is a drastic reduction in traffic accidents. Human error such as distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, and driving under the influence is responsible for the vast majority of road collisions. Computer-driven systems, equipped with advanced sensors and real-time data processing, can react far faster than human drivers and do not suffer from fatigue or emotional distraction, potentially saving thousands of lives annually. Furthermore, driverless vehicles can communicate with one another to optimise traffic flow, reduce congestion, and lower carbon emissions through efficient routing and acceleration. Finally, fully automated transport offers unprecedented mobility to populations unable to drive, such as the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

In conclusion, although the shift to autonomous transport will cause economic disruption for professional drivers and require robust cybersecurity measures, the overwhelming gains in human safety, environmental efficiency, and public accessibility make the advantages of driverless vehicles significantly greater than 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 throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the first body paragraph acknowledging the drawbacks (economic impact and cybersecurity) and the second body paragraph providing strong, logical support for the advantages (safety, efficiency, and accessibility). The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as mentioning specific groups like the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The conclusion effectively synthesises the main points and reaffirms your stance. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and advantages is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Additionally', and 'Furthermore'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is appropriate for an academic essay. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, which makes the text very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; rather, they are used to enhance the logical structure of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'advent of autonomous transportation', 'renders their roles obsolete', and 'unprecedented mobility' show a high level of lexical sophistication. The collocations are accurate, and you successfully incorporate topic-specific terminology like 'network infrastructure' and 'real-time data processing'. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the formal, academic tone required for this task. The range is sufficient to convey complex ideas with clarity and nuance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of control over punctuation and syntax. For example, the sentence 'Human error such as distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, and driving under the influence is responsible for the vast majority of road collisions' is grammatically sound and well-structured. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the use of modal verbs and conditional-like structures is accurate. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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