Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the frequency of AI-related questions in past tests, it’s highly likely that candidates will encounter this subject in future exams. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS tests:
Some people say that artificial intelligence (AI) will have a positive impact on our daily lives in the future, while others believe it will bring more problems than benefits. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the positive impacts of AI on daily life
- Explore potential problems AI might cause
- Provide a personal opinion on the overall impact of AI
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question and maintain a balanced approach while presenting your own viewpoint.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Artificial Intelligence has become a ubiquitous topic of discussion in recent years, with proponents highlighting its potential to revolutionize our daily lives positively, while critics warn of the problems it may introduce. In my opinion, while AI does present certain challenges, its benefits far outweigh the potential drawbacks.
On the one hand, AI has the potential to significantly improve various aspects of our daily lives. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostic tools can analyze medical images with greater accuracy and speed than human doctors, leading to earlier detection of diseases and more effective treatments. Furthermore, in transportation, self-driving vehicles guided by AI algorithms promise to reduce accidents caused by human error and alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas. AI also has the capacity to enhance personalized learning experiences in education, adapting to individual students’ needs and learning styles.
However, critics argue that the widespread adoption of AI could lead to several problems. One major concern is the potential loss of jobs as AI systems become capable of performing tasks traditionally done by humans. This could lead to increased unemployment and economic inequality. Additionally, there are valid concerns about data privacy and security, as AI systems often require vast amounts of personal data to function effectively. There is also the philosophical question of how increasing reliance on AI might affect human decision-making skills and autonomy in the long term.
Despite these concerns, I believe that the positive impact of AI will ultimately outweigh its potential drawbacks. The key lies in responsible development and implementation of AI technologies, with a focus on augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely. For instance, while AI may automate certain jobs, it is also likely to create new employment opportunities in fields related to AI development and maintenance. Moreover, with proper regulations and ethical guidelines in place, issues of data privacy and security can be effectively addressed.
In conclusion, while it is important to acknowledge and address the potential problems associated with AI, its capacity to improve healthcare, transportation, education, and numerous other aspects of our daily lives makes it a net positive force for society. As we move forward, it is crucial that we harness the power of AI responsibly to ensure that its benefits are maximized while its risks are minimized.
(Word count: 377)
IELTS essay on AI impact on daily life
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both positive and negative views on AI’s impact and providing a clear personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the one hand,” “However,” “Despite these concerns”).
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Lexical Resource: The essay employs a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “ubiquitous,” “proponents,” “augmenting,” “autonomy”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures accurately (e.g., “While AI does present certain challenges, its benefits far outweigh the potential drawbacks”).
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic these days, and people have different opinions about how it will affect our lives in the future. Some think it will make things better, while others worry it will cause more problems. I believe AI will bring both good and bad things, but overall it will be positive.
One good thing about AI is that it can help us in many areas of life. For example, in hospitals, AI can help doctors find diseases faster and more accurately. This means patients can get better treatment. Also, AI can make our roads safer by controlling self-driving cars, which don’t make mistakes like humans do. In schools, AI can create personalized study plans for students, helping them learn better.
However, there are also some potential problems with AI. Many people are worried that AI will take away jobs from humans. If machines can do our work, what will happen to all the people who lose their jobs? Another issue is privacy. AI needs a lot of data to work well, and this data often comes from our personal information. Some people are concerned about how this data is used and protected.
Even though there are some problems, I think AI will be more helpful than harmful in the long run. We need to be careful about how we use AI and make sure it doesn’t replace humans completely. Instead, we should use AI to help us do our jobs better. For example, while AI might take some jobs, it can also create new types of jobs that we haven’t thought of yet. As for privacy concerns, we can create strong laws to protect people’s data.
In conclusion, AI will change our lives in many ways, both good and bad. But if we use it wisely, I believe it will make our lives easier and better overall. We just need to be smart about how we develop and use AI technology.
(Word count: 329)
Infographic on AI benefits and challenges in daily life
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting both views and offering a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be developed more fully.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but lacks the precision and sophistication of higher band scores.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with generally good control of grammar, though it lacks the variety seen in higher band essays.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Ubiquitous (adjective) – /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/ – present, appearing, or found everywhere
- Proponent (noun) – /prəˈpəʊnənt/ – a person who advocates for or supports something
- Augment (verb) – /ɔːɡˈment/ – to make something greater by adding to it
- Autonomy (noun) – /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ – the right or condition of self-government
- Personalized (adjective) – /ˈpɜːsənəlaɪzd/ – designed or produced to meet someone’s individual requirements
- Implementation (noun) – /ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃn/ – the process of putting a decision or plan into effect
- Alleviate (verb) – /əˈliːvieɪt/ – to make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe
- Ethical (adjective) – /ˈeθɪkl/ – relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these
Conclusion
The topic of artificial intelligence and its impact on daily life is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of AI in education
- Ethical considerations in AI development
- AI’s impact on the job market
- The balance between AI advancement and human skills
Remember to always address all parts of the question, provide specific examples, and clearly state your own opinion. We encourage you to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills.
