Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-07

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)

In the future, it is predicted that all cars, buses, and trucks will become driverless, meaning that passengers will no longer need to operate these vehicles. While this development may have certain drawbacks, I believe that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the greatest benefits of driverless vehicles is the significant improvement in road safety. Human error, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol, is responsible for the majority of traffic accidents. Autonomous vehicles, equipped with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, can react more quickly and consistently than humans, reducing the likelihood of collisions. Furthermore, driverless transport would make travelling more convenient for elderly people, individuals with disabilities, and those who are unable to drive independently.

In addition, autonomous vehicles could improve traffic efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Since these vehicles communicate with one another, they can maintain safe distances, optimize routes, and minimise traffic congestion. As a result, commuters would spend less time on the road, while businesses could benefit from faster and more reliable deliveries. Passengers would also have the opportunity to work, study, or relax during their journeys instead of concentrating on driving.

However, there are some disadvantages that cannot be ignored. The widespread adoption of driverless vehicles may lead to unemployment among professional drivers, including taxi, bus, and truck drivers. There are also concerns regarding cybersecurity, as hackers could potentially gain control of autonomous systems and threaten public safety. Nevertheless, these challenges can be addressed through retraining programmes, strict regulations, and continuous technological improvements.

In conclusion, although driverless vehicles may create employment and security challenges, I believe their ability to improve road safety, increase transport efficiency, and enhance the overall travel experience makes them a highly beneficial innovation. Therefore, the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource7.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.5

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. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant supporting arguments, such as the mention of human error in road safety and the economic impact of job displacement. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. You have successfully balanced the advantages and disadvantages while providing a clear justification for why the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. This is a comprehensive and well-structured response that meets all the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'However'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is logical, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the argument. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which contributes to the overall readability and coherence of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. The use of terms like 'autonomous vehicles', 'cybersecurity', 'traffic congestion', and 'retraining programmes' shows a good grasp of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is natural and appropriate for an academic context. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate the score further. Nevertheless, the word choice is accurate throughout, and there are no errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'Since these vehicles communicate with one another...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex forms to maintain interest and clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not affect the clarity of your arguments. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is excellent.

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