IELTS Writing Task 2: Road Safety - Band 6.5 Sample with Full Breakdown

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The Prompt

IELTS Writing Task 2 (essay prompt): Some people believe that the best way to reduce road accidents is to make drivers take a driving test every year. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Give relevant reasons and give relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words.

Model Answers

Band 6.5 Answer

Sample Answer

In my opinion, making drivers take a driving test every year is not the best way to reduce road accidents. Although this might help, there are other more effective solutions.

Firstly, many accidents happen because of careless driving. Even if drivers pass a test each year, they might still drive carelessly when they think no one is watching. For example, in my country, people often speed on empty roads even though they know it is dangerous. A yearly test cannot change this behavior.

Secondly, regular tests would be expensive and time-consuming. Governments already spend a lot of money on road safety campaigns and infrastructure. Adding annual tests for all drivers would require even more money. Instead, this money could be used to improve road conditions or increase police patrols, which would be more effective.

Finally, education is a better solution than tests. Schools and communities should teach people about safe driving habits from a young age. For instance, programs that teach new drivers about the dangers of drunk driving have been successful in many countries. These programs can change attitudes and behaviors in the long term.

In conclusion, while yearly driving tests might help, they are not the best solution. Education and enforcement of traffic laws would be more effective in reducing road accidents.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents relevant position with some development. Presents and extends main ideas but with some limitations.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses linkage effectively but with some uncontrolled features. Paragraphing may be inconsistent.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary but with some errors in word choice and collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but with frequent grammatical errors.

Band 6.0 Answer

Sample Answer

I think that driving test every year is good idea but I disagree.

First, people can drive careful but sometimes they make mistake. For example, my friend is good driver but one time he crash his car because he was tired. So, test every year not help because people can still make mistake.

Second, it cost too much money. Government need to spend money on other things like hospital and school. If they spend all money on test, they not have money for other important things.

Finally, education is better. People need to learn about safe driving when they are young. If they learn from young, they will drive safe when they are adult.

So, I think test every year is not good idea. Education and law is better.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a relevant position but with limited development. Main ideas are presented but not extended.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses some linking words but with frequent breakdowns in cohesion. Paragraphing may be absent or inconsistent.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a limited range of vocabulary with frequent errors in word choice and collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses mainly simple sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors.

Band 7.0 Answer

Sample Answer

The suggestion that annual driving tests can significantly reduce road accidents is debatable. While it may have some benefits, I believe there are more effective measures to enhance road safety.

To begin with, annual tests might not address the root causes of accidents. Many drivers are aware of the rules but choose to ignore them due to recklessness or distraction. For instance, the use of mobile phones while driving is a common cause of accidents, and an annual test would not necessarily change this behavior. Enforcing stricter penalties for such offenses would be more effective.

Moreover, the logistical and financial burden of implementing annual tests for all drivers is substantial. Governments already invest heavily in road safety infrastructure and awareness campaigns. Redirecting these resources towards improving road conditions, enhancing traffic law enforcement, and promoting public awareness could yield better results. For example, countries with robust traffic policing and severe penalties for violations often have lower accident rates.

Lastly, education and awareness programs targeted at young drivers can instill safe driving habits early on. School programs that emphasize the dangers of drunk driving and speeding have proven successful in many regions. These educational initiatives can have a long-lasting impact on road safety.

In conclusion, while annual driving tests may contribute to road safety, they are not the most effective solution. A combination of stricter law enforcement, improved road infrastructure, and comprehensive education programs would be more beneficial in reducing road accidents.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a relevant position with clear development and extension. Main ideas are presented and supported with relevant examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses a variety of linking words effectively. Paragraphing is consistent and logical.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items. Errors in word choice and collocations are minimal.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with occasional errors in grammar and punctuation.

Band 8.0 Answer

Sample Answer

The notion that mandatory annual driving tests can substantially mitigate road accidents is a contentious issue. While this measure might offer some advantages, I contend that other strategies would be more efficacious in enhancing road safety.

Primarily, annual tests may not address the underlying issues that lead to accidents. Many drivers are cognizant of traffic regulations but often disregard them due to complacency or distraction. For example, the prevalence of texting while driving is a significant contributor to accidents, and an annual test would not necessarily deter this behavior. Implementing stricter penalties and employing advanced technology to monitor driving habits could be more effective.

Furthermore, the logistical and financial implications of mandating annual tests for all drivers are considerable. Governments already allocate substantial resources to road safety initiatives, including infrastructure improvements and public awareness campaigns. Reallocating these funds towards enhancing road conditions, augmenting traffic law enforcement, and fostering public awareness could yield more tangible results. For instance, nations with stringent traffic policing and severe penalties for violations often exhibit lower accident rates.

Additionally, educational programs targeted at young drivers can cultivate safe driving habits from an early age. School curricula that emphasize the perils of drunk driving and speeding have demonstrated success in various regions. These educational endeavors can have a enduring impact on road safety.

In conclusion, while annual driving tests may contribute to road safety, they are not the panacea. A multifaceted approach that includes stricter law enforcement, improved road infrastructure, and comprehensive education programs would be more beneficial in reducing road accidents.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a relevant position with clear development and extension. Main ideas are presented and supported with relevant, extended, and supported examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses a wide range of linking words effectively. Paragraphing is consistent, logical, and well-structured.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items. Errors in word choice and collocations are minimal.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with minimal errors in grammar and punctuation.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Mitigate (verb): To make less severe or painful. Example: The new law aims to mitigate the impact of road accidents.
2. Contentious (adjective): Causing or likely to cause controversy. Example: The issue of mandatory driving tests is contentious among lawmakers.
3. Complacency (noun): A feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger. Example: Complacency among drivers leads to increased road accidents.
4. Cognizant (adjective): Aware of and responsive to. Example: Drivers should be cognizant of traffic regulations.
5. Deter (verb): To discourage someone from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences. Example: Stricter penalties will deter drivers from using their phones while driving.
6. Logistical (adjective): Relating to the practical arrangements required for an undertaking. Example: The logistical implications of annual tests are considerable.
7. Reallocate (verb): To assign (something, such as funds or resources) to a different purpose or recipient. Example: Governments should reallocate funds towards improving road conditions.
8. Augment (verb): To make something greater by adding to it. Example: Enhancing traffic law enforcement will augment road safety.
9. Cultivate (verb): To foster the growth of. Example: Educational programs can cultivate safe driving habits.
10. Enduring (adjective): Lasting over a period of time; durable. Example: These educational endeavors can have an enduring impact on road safety.
11. Panacea (noun): A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases. Example: Annual driving tests are not the panacea for road safety issues.
12. Multifaceted (adjective): Having many different aspects or features. Example: A multifaceted approach is needed to address road safety.
13. Stringent (adjective): Strict, precise, and exacting. Example: Stringent traffic policing reduces accident rates.
14. Prevail (verb): To prove more powerful or superior. Example: Safe driving habits should prevail among all motorists.
15. Institutionalize (verb): To cause to become an institution. Example: Regular road safety workshops should be institutionalized in schools.
16. Substantial (adjective): Of considerable importance, size, or worth. Example: Substantial resources are allocated to road safety initiatives.
17. Recklessness (noun): The quality or state of being careless of consequences. Example: Reckless driving leads to a high number of accidents.
18. Redirection (noun): The act of redirecting or the state of being redirected. Example: Redirection of funds towards education programs is essential.
19. Robust (adjective): Strong and healthy; vigorous. Example: Robust traffic policing leads to lower accident rates.
20. Tangible (adjective): Clear and definite; real. Example: Enhanced road conditions yield tangible results in reducing accidents.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Lack of Clear Position: Many students fail to present a clear position on the issue, leading to a lower score in Task Response. Always state your opinion clearly in the introduction.
2. Insufficient Development: Students often present main ideas but do not develop them with relevant examples or explanations. Ensure each body paragraph has at least two supporting points.
3. Poor Use of Linking Words: Some students use linking words incorrectly or not at all, leading to a lower score in Coherence and Cohesion. Use a variety of linking words to connect your ideas effectively.
4. Limited Vocabulary: Students tend to use a limited range of vocabulary, which affects their Lexical Resource score. Try to use a variety of words and phrases to express your ideas.
5. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can lower your score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Proofread your essay for common errors such as subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and article usage.

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