Video Lesson

Writing Task 2
I E LT S W R I T I N G T A S K 2

Model answer
Question type: Opinion + Discussion
Topic: Speed Limit
IN THIS PART…
LEXICAL RESOURCE
TASK RESPONSE
COHERENCE AND COHESION
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
LOOK AT THE TASK 2 QUESTION

Some people believe that lowering the speed limit is the

best way to improve road safety. Others think that there
are other ways to make roads safer. Discuss these two
options and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words

GET A HIGH IELTS GRADE

BAND 9 MODEL ANSWER (300 WORDS)
Statistics indicate that the number of road-traffic accidents is climbing steadily year on year and that,
tragically, schoolchildren are at the greatest risk. This situation has prompted some motoring experts to
propose reducing the maximum speed permitted, whilst others put forward alternative strategies. This
essay will examine both approaches and suggest that a wide-ranging response would be appropriate.
Making it illegal to drive above a certain speed could undoubtedly lead to a fall in fatalities. Accidents
would be less serious and more drivers, passengers and pedestrians would survive them. This would mean
fewer lives needlessly cut short and fewer grieving relatives. However, such a measure would frustrate
those behind the wheel of a car by lengthening journey times and potentially increasing the likelihood of
traffic jams, congestion and gridlock.
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For instance, the wearing of seat-
belts could be made compulsory and car-users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual
basis. Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which raise awareness about the
perils of driving should be launched. These relatively simple and straightforward measures would
certainly be cost-effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It needs to be
admitted though, that such policies require a level of commitment which our political leaders often lack.
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide range of measures should not be
brought in. If policy-makers outlawed excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies
mentioned above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely hope those in power will
overcome the barriers, difficulties and objections and make our streets safer and our world better.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
The verbswould
relatively simple and straightforward measures to introduce and to bring
certainly in
be cost-
collocate with policies; measures;
legislation;
effective in the long run and would probably enjoylaws (in many
public IELTS essays,
approval. It
candidates are asked to describe possible
solutions.
needs to be admitted though, that such policies One of the
require most obvious
a level of
solutions is often for the government to
change lack.
commitment which our political leaders often the law and this language can
allow you to express this idea)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
We can
Road surfaces put on;
ought tofasten; wear a seat-belt
be improved andwhen in a
advertising campaigns which
car or on a plane (a seat-belt = a piece of material
which about
raise awareness ties/connects
the you to the
perils ofplace where
driving you
should be launched.These
are sitting so that you are less likely to be hurt or
relatively simplekilled
andif straightforward
there is a crash or accident)
measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
To make something compulsory = to tell
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy
people that public
they must do aapproval. ItFor
certain thing.
example The government must make going
needs to be admitted though, that such policies
to school until require
the age of a levelcompulsory
sixteen of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
We can use a similar structure to refer
raise awareness about the perils of drivingtoshould
people in
beother situations.
launched. For
These
example, we can write about pet-
owners; marathon-runners;
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainlyhome- be cost-
owners; business owners; pizza-eaters)
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probablyToenjoy public approval.
force somebody It =
to do something
to tell somebody that they must do
needs to be admitted though, that such policies requiretoamake
something; levelsomething
of
compulsory or obligatory
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
This is an example of word-building. We
needs to be admitted though, that such policies
can oftenrequire
use re- toa mean
levelagain
of in verbs
like to re-assess; to reorganise; to re-
commitment which our political leaders oftenthink;
lack.to re-marry; to re-write
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should
= every year be
(it islaunched. These
useful to know a range
of time expressions which can make your
relatively simple and straightforward measures would
writing seemcertainly be cost-
more complex)

effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
= a series of adverts which can be used to
tell people that they should behave in a
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
certain way (the verb to launch
collocates with advertising campaign.
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
This verb means to start or begin)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
To raise awareness = to make people understand how
effective
importantin an
the long
issue is; torun andpeople
educate would so probably
that they enjoy public approval. It
understand an issue better (in essays which ask you for
needs to be
solutions, admitted
raising awareness though,
can oftenthat such policies
be referred to) require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy
= great public
dangers (thisapproval. It
word is often
followed by of) (we can refer to a perilous
needs to be admitted though, that such policies
situation =require a level situation)
a very dangerous of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
= easy and simple ways of dealing with the problem
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
(IELTS examiners are impressed by ‘chunks’ of language.
To get a grade of 7.0 or higher you will need to include
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
larger pieces of connected language like this)
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
= to be good value for
users might be forced to re-take their driving
money; test
to beon an annual
worth doing basis.
because the financial benefit
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising
will be bigger campaigns
than the which
financial cost
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to= be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
over a long period of time
(we can also use the phrase
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
in the short run)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual
To enjoy basis.
public
approval/support = to be
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns
popular; which
to be liked by many
or most people
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
To admit = to unwillingly or
unhappily agree that something
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
is true (this verb is very useful
when you need to introduce
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on an annual basis.
information which does not
support your main idea)
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertising campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made
= being compulsory
willing to and car-
give your energy
and time in order to achieve
users might be forced to re-take their driving test
something on
(it is an to
useful annual
know basis.
connected words: to commit a crime;
Road surfaces ought to be improved andtoadvertising
be committedcampaigns
to a belief) which

raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These

relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
= politicians; people who are
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory
in government (itand car-to
is good
know different ways of
users might be forced to re-take their driving test on referring
an annual basis.
to people in
government, such as the
Road surfaces ought to be improved and advertisingpowers-that-be;
campaigns which those in
charge of the country; policy-
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched. These
makers; Ministers)

relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-

effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: PARAGRAPH 3
Governments have the power to introduce other life-saving policies. For
instance, the wearing of seat-belts could be made compulsory and car-
To lack = to not have or to not have
users enough
might be forced to re-take their driving test ofon(we
ancan also usebasis.
annual this verb
as a noun: a lack of motivation; a lack
Road of patience;
surfaces ought to be improved and advertising a lack of support)
campaigns which
raise awareness about the perils of driving should be launched.These
relatively simple and straightforward measures would certainly be cost-
effective in the long run and would probably enjoy public approval. It
needs to be admitted though, that such policies require a level of
commitment which our political leaders often lack.
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

To consider a matter in depth = to think carefully about an issue or

question (this phrase can be very useful in the INTRODUCTION and
CONCLUSION when candidates want to explain that they have
thought about the issue/question carefully)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

= the issue; the question

which has been discussed
in this essay; the problem
which we are writing about
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

= many different strategies or policies (in order to get a grade of 7.0

or higher, candidates need to use ‘chunks’ of language like this.
Learning individual words is useful but learning combinations of
words can make your writing seem very complex)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

To bring in measures = to introduce laws

or policies (this is a strong collocation)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

= people in government (it is important to know a

range of phrases to describe government because
many topics require candidates to discuss the role
of government and what governments should do)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

To outlaw = to make something illegal (it is

useful to know verbs connected with laws
such as to outlaw; to criminalise; to legalise;
to fine; to imprison; to release)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

= too; too much (it would be possible to use inappropriately or

unacceptably here) (it is important to understand that
excessively has a slightly different meaning from words which
mean very, such as exceedingly; extremely; tremendously)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

We can use this phrase to indicate that we

wrote about this issue earlier in the essay. (we
can also use the aforementioned strategies)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

To destroy = to completely break

something so that it can never be used
again or does not exist
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.
= needlessly; without any purpose (we can use the
adjective unnecessary in phrases like an unnecessary
waste and the adjective needless in phrases like a needless
loss of life) (this is a good example of avoiding repetition:
we used needlessly earlier in the essay)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

= truthfully; honestly; strongly; completely (this

adverb can be very useful when you want to
express a strong opinion, hope or fear)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

It is important to avoid repetition when possible.This

phrase allows you not to repeat policy-makers from earlier
in the paragraph and political leaders from PARAGRAPH 3
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

To overcome = to successfully deal with a difficulty

or problem (this verb collocates strongly with
barrier; difficulty; problem; obstacle; hurdle)
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

= obstacles; things which

prevent a solution, a good
outcome or a good result
LEXICAL RESOURCE: CONCLUSION
Having considered the matter in some depth, I cannot see why a wide
range of measures should not be brought in. If policy-makers outlawed
excessively high speeds and introduced the other strategies mentioned
above, far fewer lives would be destroyed unnecessarily. I genuinely
hope those in power will overcome the barriers, difficulties and
objections and make our streets safer and our world better.

= the act of saying/communicating that you

dislike something or think it is wrong (we can
use the verb to object to something = to oppose
something; to believe something is wrong)
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