Road accidents are more frequent these days and claim many lives each year. As a result, some people suggest that drivers should take regular driving tests throughout their lives, rather than one single driving test, to improve the situation. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of repeat driving tests? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Sample Response
The growing number of cars on the roads and reckless driving are the major causes of increasing road accidents these days. Therefore, many people, as well as some politicians, express their view that repetitive driving tests, and not just one test to get and renew the licence, should be in place. This essay outlines some advantages as well as disadvantages of the continuous testing process and opines that this has more benefits. To start with the demerits of repeat driving tests, this process may unnecessarily impose a burden on people. This is because they will have to prepare for the test, pay for it, and allocate time for the test in order to renew the licence. As a result, many people may tend to avoid the tests, and one day, get pulled over and fined for an outdated licence. Moreover, it will cost money to the authority as well. Therefore, it may not solve the issue easily while both the drivers and the authorities will be under pressure. To outline the advantages, road safety in a country is a major concern and so is the obligation of legislators regarding this. Increasing vehicular movements and drivers' recklessness are two primary reasons for accidents on the roads. Drivers get outdated and more inept at new road rules and safety practices. For example, with age, many drivers may not see traffic signals and road signs easily. As a result, such drivers may potentially hit other moving vehicles and people. Therefore, repeat tests for driving, from time to time, will definitely improve safety on roads. Moreover, many young drivers do not abide by the traffic rules, and continuous tests would ensure their awareness of safe driving. In conclusion, reoccurring driving tests improve people's driving accuracy, make them aware of safety and laws, and find out potentially risky drivers. So the benefits of such tests surpass the drawbacks.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Clarify the trend Original: increasing road accidents Suggested revision: the rising number of road accidents Why it matters: The replacement makes clear that the number of accidents is increasing.
- 2. Use article correctly Original: express their view Suggested revision: express the view Why it matters: The definite article is more natural when introducing the specific view that follows.
- 3. Use task terminology Original: repetitive driving tests Suggested revision: repeat driving tests Why it matters: Repeat driving tests is the clearer and more established phrase in this context.
- 4. State requirement directly Original: should be in place Suggested revision: should be required Why it matters: The replacement expresses the proposed obligation more precisely.
- 5. Avoid misleading wording Original: continuous testing process Suggested revision: repeated testing process Why it matters: The tests occur periodically rather than continuously.
- 6. Use natural academic wording Original: opines that this has more benefits Suggested revision: argues that its benefits are greater Why it matters: The revision is more idiomatic and gives its a clear reference.
- 7. Use consistent term Original: demerits of repeat driving tests Suggested revision: disadvantages of repeat driving tests Why it matters: Disadvantages is clearer and matches the task wording.
- 8. Remove double hedging Original: may tend to avoid Suggested revision: may avoid Why it matters: Using both may and tend to weakens the statement unnecessarily.
- 9. Use correct licence term Original: outdated licence Suggested revision: expired licence Why it matters: A licence that is no longer valid is expired, not outdated.
- 10. Correct object structure Original: cost money to the authority Suggested revision: cost the authorities money Why it matters: Cost takes the person or organisation paying as its direct object.
- 11. Use clearer noun phrase Original: vehicular movements Suggested revision: vehicle numbers Why it matters: The issue described is the number of vehicles, not their individual movements.
- 12. Correct the meaning Original: Drivers get outdated Suggested revision: Drivers' knowledge becomes outdated Why it matters: Drivers themselves do not become outdated; their knowledge can.
Suggested Rewrites
- increasing road accidents the rising number of road accidents
- express their view express the view
- repetitive driving tests repeat driving tests
- should be in place should be required
- continuous testing process repeated testing process
- opines that this has more benefits argues that its benefits are greater
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response answers both parts directly, maintains a clear view that the advantages prevail, and supports that view with relevant safety concerns. Its main weakness is presentation as one unbroken paragraph, which obscures the otherwise logical movement from drawbacks to benefits, while some word choices are unnatural. The priority is to separate the argument into purposeful paragraphs and refine imprecise collocations without changing the clear line of reasoning.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
The advantages, disadvantages, and overall judgement are all addressed with relevant explanation, though some claims could be developed more fully.
Explain more precisely how repeat testing would change driver behaviour and compare that benefit directly with the stated costs.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument follows a discernible sequence and uses clear transitions, but the complete absence of paragraph breaks weakens organisation and readability.
Divide the response into an introduction, separate drawbacks and benefits paragraphs, and a concise conclusion.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary shows useful range, but several awkward or imprecise combinations reduce naturalness and precision.
Replace phrases such as drivers getting outdated and repetitive tests with more idiomatic descriptions of declining competence and periodic retesting.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied complex sentences with generally accurate control, and errors are occasional rather than disruptive.
Polish article, preposition, and clause choices in the few awkward sentences to improve grammatical naturalness.