Scientists predict in the near future cars will be driven by computers, not people. Why? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
Sample Response
It is projected by scientists that computers will undertake the operation of cars rather than drivers themselves in the foreseeable future. This anticipation is understandable and brings both negative and positive aspects.
Autonomous driving cars have received a great deal of research, and there have been great strides in automobile technology. Cars have been able to recognize human voice and dispense directions accordingly to guide drivers to their destination. As technology progresses, we will see self-driving cars that will be able to interpret and act based on their immediate environment. This is an inevitable outcome in the years to come.
Traffic-related deaths due to human error such as drink driving, distracted driving or over-speeding would be significantly reduced. Computers will be well pre-programmed and assist human drivers in the task of driving under such circumstances with a great degree of precision. Besides, it is good news for the disabled or the elderly as self-driving automobile s mean there will be no obstacle caused by physical problems or age restriction.
Even with just a minor flaw, the cars will run the risk of collisions in the event of a malfunction. This is not to mention that accidents can occur since driver-less cars cannot cope with unexpected terrains such as potholes, crowded roads in the same way as a human driver can. Furthermore, drivers’ information can be exposed by potential hackers who would take advantage of the data pool stored at a data center. The data will then be used for illegal purposes, which harms people’s interest.
In conclusion, we can understand why this trend is possible in the near future. Meanwhile, it poses both threats and opportunities for individuals.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use a direct expression Original: undertake the operation of cars Suggested revision: operate cars Why it matters: The shorter verb expresses the same idea more naturally.
- 2. Use the accurate noun Original: anticipation Suggested revision: prediction Why it matters: A scientific statement about the future is a prediction rather than an anticipation.
- 3. Use the standard term Original: Autonomous driving cars Suggested revision: Autonomous cars Why it matters: 'Autonomous cars' is the standard concise term for self-driving vehicles.
- 4. Correct the collocation Original: received a great deal of research Suggested revision: been the subject of extensive research Why it matters: Research is conducted on a subject, so something does not normally 'receive research.'
- 5. Use the plural form Original: voice Suggested revision: voices Why it matters: The general reference to different speakers requires the plural noun 'voices.'
- 6. Choose the natural verb Original: dispense Suggested revision: provide Why it matters: Navigation systems provide or give directions rather than dispense them.
- 7. Use the standard term Original: over-speeding Suggested revision: speeding Why it matters: 'Speeding' is the standard noun for driving above the speed limit.
- 8. Use a precise phrase Original: unexpected terrains Suggested revision: unexpected road conditions Why it matters: Potholes and crowded roads are road conditions rather than types of terrain.
- 9. Join the examples Original: potholes, crowded roads Suggested revision: potholes and crowded roads Why it matters: The two examples require the conjunction 'and.'
- 10. Use standard spelling Original: driver-less cars Suggested revision: driverless cars Why it matters: 'Driverless' is conventionally written as one unhyphenated word.
- 11. Use a plural noun Original: harms people’s interest Suggested revision: harms people's interests Why it matters: The general reference to what matters to multiple people requires the plural 'interests.'
- 12. Clarify the contrast Original: rather than drivers themselves Suggested revision: instead of human drivers Why it matters: The revision states the contrast between computer control and human drivers more directly.
Suggested Rewrites
- undertake the operation of cars operate cars
- anticipation prediction
- Autonomous driving cars Autonomous cars
- received a great deal of research been the subject of extensive research
- voice voices
- dispense provide
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response is well organized and develops several relevant explanations of why autonomous cars are likely, alongside specific benefits and risks expressed through a broad vocabulary and varied sentence structures. Its main limitation is that it does not decide whether the development is positive or negative, as the conclusion merely restates both sides; the priority is to make a clear comparative judgment and use the body discussion to justify it.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both questions receive relevant attention and the ideas are developed, but the response lacks the clear positive-or-negative evaluation explicitly required.
Choose an overall judgment and explain why the benefits or risks carry greater weight than the opposing side.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through focused paragraphs, with cohesive devices and referencing used clearly throughout most of the response.
Sharpen the progression by making the conclusion explicitly resolve the balanced discussion rather than simply repeat it.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a broad and generally precise topic-specific vocabulary, though a few collocations and word forms are awkward.
Refine combinations such as undergo extensive research and protect people's interests, and proofread isolated word-form slips.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex sentence structures is used with generally strong control, while occasional agreement, spacing, and noun-form errors remain.
Proofread for small form errors, especially plural agreement and compound-word spacing, to improve consistency.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Scientists predict in the near future cars will be driven by computers, not people. Why? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.