Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-02

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 near future, all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless, carrying only passengers. Although this raises concerns about job security and technology dependence, I am convinced that the advantages of autonomous vehicles far outweigh the disadvantages. The most significant benefit is the improvement in road safety. Statistics show that over 90% of road accidents are caused by human error, including speeding, drunk driving, fatigue and distraction. Unlike humans, autonomous vehicles use sensors, cameras and artificial intelligence to make decisions. They do not get tired, angry or distracted. For instance, self-driving taxis operated by Waymo in the United States have already completed millions of kilometers with a much lower accident rate than human drivers. If implemented globally, this technology could save millions of lives each year. Furthermore, driverless vehicles would greatly improve traffic efficiency and reduce environmental damage. Because computers can communicate with each other, cars could maintain optimal speeds and distances, which would minimize traffic jams. Public buses and delivery trucks could also operate continuously without needing rest breaks. This would make public transport and logistics both faster and cheaper. In densely populated cities such as Faisalabad, this could lead to significantly less congestion and air pollution, as electric autonomous vehicles become the norm.

Despite these benefits, there are clear drawbacks. The most obvious is mass unemployment. Millions of people worldwide work as taxi drivers, truck drivers and delivery drivers. A sudden shift to automation could leave them without work. There are also concerns about cybersecurity, because a hacked vehicle could cause serious damage. Additionally, the technology may struggle in bad weather or in areas with poor road infrastructure. However, these problems are not impossible to solve. Governments can introduce retraining programs to help drivers move into new roles in vehicle monitoring and maintenance. Strict regulations can also be enforced to ensure cybersecurity and safety standards. In conclusion, while the transition to driverless vehicles will create challenges such as job losses and technical risks, the long-term gains in safety, efficiency and environmental protection are much greater. Therefore, I believe the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource7.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.5

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 regarding road safety, traffic efficiency, and environmental impact are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of Waymo and the specific context of Faisalabad. You also effectively address the counter-arguments regarding unemployment and cybersecurity, providing logical rebuttals. The ideas are extended and supported well, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

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 the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Despite these benefits', and 'In conclusion'. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, and the use of cohesive devices is flexible and unobtrusive, which contributes to the overall clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'mass unemployment', 'optimal speeds', 'cybersecurity', and 'retraining programs' show a good grasp of topic-specific terminology. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language is natural and sophisticated. You successfully use less common items to convey your ideas effectively, which is indicative of a high level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as conditional structures ('If implemented globally...') and subordinate clauses ('Because computers can communicate...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the control over tense and agreement is consistent throughout the response.

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