Task 2 · · 18 samples

Some people think that the best way to improve road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving a car or motorbike. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain why age could matter: less driving experience and maturity may affect hazard awareness and decision-making.
  • Qualify the age argument by noting that age does not reliably measure an individual’s driving skill and that some young people depend on driving for access to work or education.
  • Compare age limits with measures that address multiple causes of collisions, such as graduated licensing, enforcement, driver training, and safer road design.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the debate and state a clear degree of agreement.
  2. Explain the strongest reason a higher age limit could improve safety.
  3. Discuss why age alone is an imperfect solution and identify the costs or limits.
  4. Offer complementary measures that address other causes of crashes.
  5. Conclude with a balanced judgment that directly answers the question.
Useful vocabulary & examples
graduated licensing
A system in which new drivers gain driving privileges in stages, often with restrictions at first.

Graduated licensing can help novice drivers gain experience before receiving a full licence.

hazard awareness
The ability to notice potential dangers and respond appropriately while driving.

Driver training can strengthen hazard awareness among inexperienced motorists.

chronological age
A person's age measured in years, as distinct from their ability or maturity.

Chronological age is an imperfect indicator of driving competence.

road infrastructure
The physical features of roads and related facilities, such as surfaces, lighting, and signs.

Investment in road infrastructure can reduce hazards for all road users.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

358 words · Illustrative target band

While proponents advocate for raising the minimum age for driving as a means to enhance road safety, I contend that alternative measures can achieve similar outcomes without solely relying on age restrictions. Rather than fixating on age, addressing road safety requires a multifaceted approach that includes robust driver education programs and the implementation of stringent rules on dangerous behaviour. The argumen…

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AI-completed learning example

366 words · Illustrative target band

Road injuries and even deaths are a major source of concern in countries around the globe. While many believe that the best approach to greater road safety is to raise the minimum age at which individuals can obtain a license, there are more effective ways to make the roads safer for everyone. Those who feel that raising the threshold is best point to possible differences in maturity. The argument for a higher age i…

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AI-completed learning example

297 words · Illustrative target band

Road injuries and even deaths are a major source of concern in countries all around the globe. While many believe that the best approach to greater road safety is to raise the minimum age that individuals can obtain a license, there are more effective ways to make the road a safer place for everyone. Those who support this policy argue that younger drivers are more likely to take risks because they have less experien…

Read full answer & analysis →