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 number of automobiles on roads is increasing rapidly these days which is aligned with the number of road accidents. Consequently, some opine that all driving licence holders must take a driving test periodically rather than taking it only once in their life. The following essay will discuss both the positive and negative sides of the repeat driving test. Personally, I believe that this process has more benefits than drawbacks. It is undeniable that taking a repeat driving test would have some distinct disadvantages for people. One of the major drawbacks is the time and preparation it would require. In addition, people would have to pay every time to take the test. Finally, they also believe that it would cost more for the government as they must provide additional manpower, logistics and facilities in the driving test centres. Despite all the negative aspects, performing a repeat driving test would have some significant benefits for everybody. Firstly, by having a repeat driving test, each driver would be updated with driving regulations. Secondly, drivers would be more cautious when they drive as their licenses will be checked regularly. Thirdly, it will reduce the number of traffic accidents because the driver's physical condition would also be examined as a part of the test. For example, each driver's eyesight would be examined as some drivers might have poor eyesight which may cause accidents. Thus repeat driving tests will drastically reduce road accidents. In conclusion, conducting a driving test periodically has some drawbacks, but I do believe that it has more benefits for everybody. It is expected that regular driving tests will reduce the number of road accidents to a great extent.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Match plural reference Original: life Suggested revision: lives Why it matters: The plural pronoun their requires the plural noun lives.
- 2. Use natural phrasing Original: by having a repeat driving test Suggested revision: by taking repeat driving tests Why it matters: Drivers take tests, and the plural form suits the repeated requirement.
- 3. Correct the collocation Original: would be updated with driving regulations Suggested revision: would be kept up to date with driving regulations Why it matters: People are kept up to date with regulations rather than updated with them.
- 4. Keep British spelling Original: licenses Suggested revision: licences Why it matters: The British English noun spelling is licences, consistent with driving licence earlier.
- 5. Clarify the reference Original: it will reduce the number of traffic accidents Suggested revision: regular testing will reduce the number of traffic accidents Why it matters: The explicit subject removes the unclear pronoun reference.
- 6. Use plural possessive Original: the driver's physical condition Suggested revision: drivers’ physical conditions Why it matters: The general statement concerns multiple drivers and their individual conditions.
- 7. Add linking comma Original: Thus repeat Suggested revision: Thus, repeat Why it matters: A comma should follow the sentence adverb Thus.
- 8. Use natural reporting Original: some opine Suggested revision: some people argue Why it matters: The revision gives the reporting verb a clear subject and sounds more natural.
- 9. Use task terminology Original: positive and negative sides Suggested revision: advantages and disadvantages Why it matters: This wording states the two required categories more precisely.
- 10. Use plural form Original: the repeat driving test Suggested revision: repeated driving tests Why it matters: The plural phrase accurately describes a test taken periodically.
- 11. Clarify the reference Original: process Suggested revision: requirement Why it matters: The revised noun refers more precisely to the proposed testing policy.
- 12. Express repeated testing Original: taking a repeat driving test Suggested revision: taking repeated driving tests Why it matters: The plural form conveys that the test would recur throughout a driver's life.
Suggested Rewrites
- life lives
- by having a repeat driving test by taking repeat driving tests
- would be updated with driving regulations would be kept up to date with driving regulations
- licenses licences
- it will reduce the number of traffic accidents regular testing will reduce the number of traffic accidents
- the driver's physical condition drivers’ physical conditions
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response gives a clear position, covers both advantages and disadvantages, and supports the safety benefits with a relevant eyesight example. Its main limitation is uneven development: the drawbacks are mostly listed, and the whole argument is presented as one continuous paragraph with mechanical sequencing. The priority is to develop each side in distinct paragraphs, explaining consequences more fully before justifying why the benefits outweigh the costs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response answers both parts with a consistent position and relevant ideas, though the disadvantages receive limited explanation.
Develop the costs and practical burdens further, then compare their significance directly with the safety benefits.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses clearly through drawbacks, benefits, and a conclusion, but the absence of paragraphing and repetitive sequencing make organisation mechanical.
Use separate paragraphs for each side and replace list-like transitions with links that show cause and comparison.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a sufficient range of topic vocabulary, although several collocations are awkward or overly general.
Choose more natural combinations for accident trends, retesting, and public costs, and avoid vague repetition such as benefits for everybody.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex and simple sentences are generally well controlled, with some pronoun, article, tense, and agreement lapses that rarely affect clarity.
Check reference words and maintain consistent conditional verb forms when describing the proposed testing system.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
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?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.