Some scientists believe that in the future computers will be more intelligent than human beings. While some see this as a positive development, others worry about the negative consequences. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Same questionCompare 2 different answers (Band 8)
Same-task comparison

This response is estimated at Band 8.0. Can you write a better one?

Write yours and get clear feedback on all four criteria.

  • Closest to official scores
  • What to fix on each criterion
  • Feedback in about 20 seconds · free
Start writing this task

Sample Response

1

Recently, the capabilities of computers have sparked a debate among their supporters and skeptics alikea debate between its supporters and skeptics alike. While some observers regard the possibility of machines surpassing human intellect as a beneficial development, I am inclined to side with critics who claim that this situation will result in dire consequences.

2

Certainly, it is reasonable to assume that hyper-intelligent computers will positively affect human life. These devices, first and foremost, can dramatically improve the speed and precision of problem-solving. Advanced machine learning algorithms are capable of analyzing data and dissecting complex issues at a staggering pace, withproviding the potential to revolutionize fields from quantum physics to medicine. This, as a result, would lead to an improved quality of human lifeimproved quality of human life. Furthermore, such computersSuch computers, furthermore, can work continuously and consistently withoutconsistently, but without human limitations such as fatigue and emotion-driven errors. If these machines are utilized in public services, for instance, people would be pleased to receive responses quicklypleased with receiving responses quickly and not having to wait for officials to process their requests.

3

Machines which can surpass human intellect possess the potential to do harm, however. Their existence may lead to large-scale unemployment, because they could outperform human employeesdue to outpacing human employees’ efficiency. This has already happened in certain professions, such as journalism, where droves of workers were laid off as their employersexecutives sought to replace them with artificial intelligence writers. In addition, some observersMore astute observers, in addition, would find that computers’ freedom from emotion-driven errors may become a threat to humanity. Once intelligent machines attain a certain level of autonomy, in their cold logic, they might conclude that human beings are a flawed and destructive species which deserves extinction. This scenario is not entirely a product of science fictionnot entirely based on science fiction, seeing how far mankind has recently progressed in terms of artificial intelligence development.

4

In conclusion, while hyper-intelligent computers can align with human aspirations to innovate and maximize efficiency, being aware of the threats they may pose is more crucial. It is therefore necessary to keep the machines’ capabilitiescapability in check to ensure that computers are used in the service of humanity.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 8.0

The essay gives a clear position, develops both perspectives with relevant examples, and sustains a polished, logically sequenced argument. Its main limitation is occasional overstatement and a handful of unnatural grammatical or lexical combinations, particularly when describing risks. The best improvement would be to qualify speculative claims more carefully and refine the few awkward phrases so the otherwise sophisticated argument becomes more precise and consistently natural.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

8.0
Scoring rule

Both views are directly examined, the opinion is clear throughout, and the main ideas are well extended with relevant consequences and examples.

Next step

Strengthen the negative case by qualifying the extinction scenario and grounding it in a more credible, evidence-based risk.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

8.0
Scoring rule

The response has a clear overall progression and cohesive paragraph structure, with ideas linked smoothly despite occasional conspicuous signposting.

Next step

Integrate transitions more naturally within sentences and reduce parenthetical sequencing phrases that slightly interrupt the flow.

LR

Lexical Resource

8.0
Scoring rule

A wide and precise vocabulary supports nuanced discussion, with only occasional awkward collocations or inflated choices.

Next step

Refine combinations such as pleased with receiving and keep the machines' capability in check into more idiomatic, exact phrasing.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

8.0
Scoring rule

Complex sentence forms are used flexibly and accurately, while the few agreement, reference, and construction issues do not impede meaning.

Next step

Polish pronoun reference and compressed causal constructions, especially in the opening sentence and the unemployment explanation.