IELTS Writing Task 2 · Transport

Annual Driving Tests and Road Safety: Band 7.5 sample answer

The question

Some people think that the best way to improve road safety is to get drivers tested each year.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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Outline

Introduction: Annual testing is widely argued to be best for road safety; acknowledges financial burden but agrees that tests remove unqualified drivers and motivate knowledge updates
Body 1: Testing removes poorly trained and forgetful drivers from roads, preventing accidents better than fines alone
Body 2: Annual tests motivate drivers to improve weak areas and maintain knowledge, increasing qualified drivers and reducing collisions
Body 3: Counterargument—tests cost governments money for staff and equipment—but this is outweighed by safer roads and saved lives
Conclusion: Testing identifies poorly trained drivers and motivates preparation, both contributing to road safety

Sample answer

Student answer — Band 7.5

Written by a WriteReady student in Relax, shared anonymously · 349 words

TR 7
CC 8
LR 7
GRA 7

It is widely argued implementing an annual testing system for drivers is the best method for improving road safety. Although regularly conducting examinations can place a financial burden on governments, I firmly believe that such tests contribute to road safety as they help to weed out unqualified drivers, and motivate them to get their knowledge up to date.

One of the positive effects of implementing a testing system for road safety would be removing poorly trained drivers from roads. Nowadays, many people purchase cars or other types vehicles before properly learning how to drive or in some cases, people get a driving license at a young age and gradually forget traffic regulations as they grow older. Therefore, annually conducting examinations on drivers gives governments an opportunity to check their driving skills, and revoke driving licenses of those who lack adequate knowledge of driving. Since unqualified motorists are eliminated from roads, there will be fewer road accidents and fatalities. Unlike fines which only punish drivers for every mistake they have made, testing identifies potential risks before they harm others.

Furthermore, annually conducting examinations on drivers leads to better preparation. Since they recognize what consequences failing in tests can lead, drivers will do their utmost to improve their knowledge of driving. Before each exam they will pinpoint their weaker areas and work hard to improve them. Having improved their weaknesses, the majority of drivers will pass tests successfully. As a result, the number of qualified drivers will increase and there will be fewer collisions and fatalities.

Admittedly, regularly conducting such exams cost governments a substantial amount. This is because, authorities should hire professional specialists, examiners and provide them with adequate salaries. Additionally, governments should channel funding into training vehicles and other equipment needed for tests. However, those drawbacks can be outweighed by safer roads and many lives.

In conclusion, driving tests will give authorities an opportunity to identify poorly trained drivers and remove them from road. Additionally, annually tests motivate individuals to prepare well and to get adequate knowledge of driving, which are the all factors that contribute to road safety.

Vocabulary

deteriorate
to become worse over time
UZyomonlashmoq
Many drivers' skills deteriorate over the years as they forget key traffic regulations.
complacent / complacency
too satisfied with oneself to notice risks, instead of describing drivers who simply 'forget' rules
UZbeparvo, mamnun bo'lish
Without regular testing, experienced drivers can grow complacent about safety regulations.
stem from
to originate or result from
UZkelib chiqmoq
Many road accidents stem from drivers whose skills have never been reassessed since they first passed their test.
proactive
taking action in advance rather than reacting afterward
UZfaol, oldindan chora ko'ruvchi
Annual testing encourages a proactive approach to driving, rather than waiting for accidents to occur.
deterrent
something that discourages an action, a useful word for the fines-vs-testing contrast
UZto'xtatuvchi omil
Unlike fines, which act only as a deterrent after the fact, testing prevents dangerous drivers from being on the road at all.
uphold (safety) standards
to maintain a required level, instead of repeating 'adequate knowledge of driving'
UZstandartlarni saqlab qolmoq
Annual tests ensure that all licensed drivers continue to uphold basic safety standards.
place a strain on
to put pressure on resources, a more natural alternative to 'place a financial burden on' used once already
UZyukni oshirmoq
While annual testing may place a strain on public budgets, the safety benefits justify the expense.
warrant the cost
to justify an expense
UZxarajatni oqlamoq
The reduction in fatalities would warrant the cost of running annual examinations.

Grammar highlights

The student uses 'Since unqualified motorists are eliminated from roads, there will be fewer road accidents' to show causal relationships with precise conditional logic.
Comparative structures like 'Unlike fines which only punish drivers for every mistake they have made, testing identifies potential risks before they harm others' effectively contrast two approaches.
Complex noun phrases such as 'the number of qualified drivers will increase' and 'those drawbacks can be outweighed by safer roads' demonstrate control of sophisticated expressions.
The concession 'Admittedly, regularly conducting such exams cost governments a substantial amount' followed by 'However, those drawbacks can be outweighed by safer roads' shows flexible management of counterargument and cohesion.

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