IELTS Writing Task 2: A Band 7.0 Essay (Raising Fuel Prices), Graded
An agree/disagree essay arguing that higher fuel prices are the best fix for the environment — graded band-by-band by Cuepen's AI examiner, with the fragmented conclusion and spelling slips that keep it from Band 8.
Question:
Some people think the best way to solve global environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel.
- To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
Candidate's answer:
In the contemporary era, the consumption of fuel has increased tremendously with the technological advancements. Whilst it is widely debated that non-renewable forms of fuel like petrol, compressed natural gas, and diesel must be made affordable to boost innovation, others contend that the climate is getting worse gradually due to the increase in the consumption. I strongly believe that increasing the price of fuel is the most effective strategy to address the environmental problems.
To begin with, the cheaper the fuel is, the less mindful people become about using it. Research suggests that, the worldwide consumption of fuel has doubled in the last five years, as a result, the carbon footprint has increased and affected the atmosphere severely. Thus, it is evident that the obvious way to reduce the consumption of fuel is by making it more valuable. People will start thinking mindfully and use public transport.
In addition, for transportation, families will start thinking about more eco-friendly alternatives to avoid spending on fuel. One pertinent example is the use of bicycles to reach schools and offices with in 10 kilometers radius. Furthermore, they start using electric vehicles, which save both money and thereby reducing release of poisonous chemicals into the air. Hence, it clearly demonstrates that increasing fuel prices is an effective strategy to make people think of alternative and more affordable options.
In conclusion, even though the problem at hand can be addressed by other tools such as goverment introduing stringent regulations, educating society, and cleaning environment. The most effective and immediate solution is a price hike. Because alternative solutions require more time and energy to implement and track at scale.
Full Cuepen report:
This is the complete assessment, exactly as the model returned it. Click a criterion card to filter the line-by-line view, or any flagged sentence for its feedback.
Candidate's Answer
Task Response feedback (3)
Whilst it is widely debated that non-renewable forms of fuel like petrol, compressed natural gas, and diesel must be made affordable to boost innovation, others contend that the climate is getting worse gradually due to the increase in the consumption.
💡The opposing view (fuel should stay affordable to boost innovation) is raised but never rebutted, so the two-sided task is only half-answered.
Whilst some argue that non-renewable fuels such as petrol, CNG and diesel must stay affordable to boost innovation, I contend that the resulting rise in consumption is worsening the climate — a trade-off I will argue clearly outweighs the benefits.
I strongly believe that increasing the price of fuel is the most effective strategy to address the environmental problems.
💡The position is strong and one-sided; briefly acknowledging when cheaper fuel is justified would fully satisfy the 'to what extent' prompt.
While affordable fuel can spur innovation, I strongly believe that raising its price is the most effective strategy for tackling environmental problems.
Thus, it is evident that the obvious way to reduce the consumption of fuel is by making it more valuable.
💡'it is evident that the obvious way' asserts the claim rather than arguing it.
Thus, raising the price of fuel is arguably the most direct lever for curbing consumption, since cost is the strongest deterrent to overuse.
The fastest route to Band 8
- Engage the other side: the intro raises "fuel should stay affordable to boost innovation" but never rebuts it — address it to fully answer "to what extent".
- Fix the conclusion: "even though…" and "Because…" are sentence fragments — join them into complete sentences.
- Correct the three spellings (government, introducing, kilometres) and vary "fuel" (used 8 times).
Frequently asked questions
What band is this fuel-price Task 2 essay?+
It scores an overall Band 7.0 — Task Response, Coherence and Lexical Resource at Band 7, with Grammatical Range at Band 6.
How do I answer a "to what extent do you agree" question?+
Take a clear position and hold it throughout, but still engage the opposing view — this essay loses a mark for raising the counter-argument then never rebutting it.
How is this essay graded?+
Cuepen's AI examiner scores all four IELTS criteria and flags every sentence-level issue with a correction.
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