IELTS Writing Task 2: Traffic Congestion - Band 7.0 Sample Answer

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Full Prompt

Some people think that an increase in key public transportation can help to reduce traffic congestion. Others believe that building more roads is the best way to solve this problem. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 7.0 Sample Answer

The problem of traffic congestion has become a significant issue in many urban areas around the world. While some people argue that improving public transportation is the best solution, others believe that constructing more roads is the most effective way to alleviate this problem. This essay will discuss both views before presenting my opinion.

On one hand, enhancing public transportation can indeed help to reduce traffic congestion. For instance, cities with efficient subway systems, such as Tokyo and London, have successfully decreased the number of private vehicles on the road. Additionally, public transportation is not only more environmentally friendly but also more cost-effective for commuters. By investing in buses, trains, and trams, governments can provide affordable and convenient alternatives to driving, thereby reducing the number of cars on the road.

On the other hand, building more roads can also be an effective solution to traffic congestion. Proponents of this view argue that wider and more numerous roads can accommodate more vehicles, thereby reducing traffic jams. For example, the construction of new highways in cities like Los Angeles has helped to ease traffic congestion in certain areas. Furthermore, better road infrastructure can improve the overall efficiency of transportation networks, making it easier for people to travel from one place to another.

In my opinion, while both solutions have their merits, improving public transportation is ultimately the better option. This is because it addresses not only the issue of traffic congestion but also the broader problems of environmental pollution and economic inequality. By providing affordable and efficient public transportation, governments can encourage more people to use it, thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on the road. Moreover, public transportation is more sustainable in the long term, as it requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than private vehicles.

In conclusion, while building more roads can help to alleviate traffic congestion in the short term, improving public transportation is a more sustainable and comprehensive solution. Governments should prioritize investing in public transportation to create more livable and environmentally friendly cities.

Scoring Breakdown

Task Response (TR): Band 7.0

• Presents a clear position throughout the response.
• Presents, extends, and supports ideas, but some ideas are not fully developed.
• Provides a conclusion that is largely appropriate to the task.

Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 7.0

• Arranges information and ideas coherently and logically.
• Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively, although there may be some under- or over-use.
• Paragraphing is generally appropriate, but there may be some unevenness in the length and focus of paragraphs.

Lexical Resource (LR): Band 7.0

• Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey ideas effectively.
• Attempts to use less common vocabulary but may make some errors in word choice or collocation.
• Uses some less common vocabulary appropriately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 7.0

• Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms.
• Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation, but these do not impede understanding.
• Uses a mix of tenses and sentence structures appropriately.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Urban areas: Cities and towns.

• Example: Urban areas are often characterized by high population density and extensive infrastructure.

1. Allevate: To make something less severe or intense.

• Example: Building more roads can help to alleviate traffic congestion.

1. Proponents: People who support or advocate for a particular idea or cause.

• Example: Proponents of this view argue that wider roads can accommodate more vehicles.

1. Efficient: Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.

• Example: Cities with efficient subway systems have successfully reduced traffic congestion.

1. Environmentally friendly: Not harmful to the environment.

• Example: Public transportation is not only more environmentally friendly but also more cost-effective.

1. Affordable: Inexpensive; reasonably priced.

• Example: By investing in public transportation, governments can provide affordable alternatives to driving.

1. Commuters: People who travel some distance to a place of work or study on a regular basis.

• Example: Public transportation is more cost-effective for commuters.

1. Infrastructure: The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

• Example: Better road infrastructure can improve the overall efficiency of transportation networks.

1. Sustainable: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.

• Example: Public transportation is more sustainable in the long term.

1. Emissions: The production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.

• Example: Public transportation requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than private vehicles.

1. Livable: Suitable or good enough to live in.

• Example: Governments should prioritize investing in public transportation to create more livable cities.

1. Comprehensive: Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.

• Example: Improving public transportation is a more comprehensive solution to traffic congestion.

1. Prioritize: To arrange or deal with things in order of importance.

• Example: Governments should prioritize investing in public transportation.

1. Ease: To make something less severe, serious, or painful.

• Example: The construction of new highways has helped to ease traffic congestion.

1. Efficiently: In a way that achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.

• Example: Public transportation should be provided in an affordable and efficient manner.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position in their response, making it difficult for the examiner to understand their stance on the issue.

1. Insufficient Development of Ideas: Students often present ideas but do not develop them fully, leading to a lack of depth in their response.

1. Poor Use of Cohesive Devices: Some students struggle with using cohesive devices effectively, resulting in a response that is difficult to follow.

1. Limited Vocabulary: Students may use a limited range of vocabulary, making their response less engaging and less impressive to the examiner.

1. Grammatical Errors: Common grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement mistakes and incorrect tense usage, can detract from the overall quality of the response.

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FAQs

What is the difference between a Band 6.0 and a Band 7.0 response?

A Band 6.0 response presents a clear position but may not develop ideas fully, while a Band 7.0 response presents, extends, and supports ideas more effectively.

How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2?

To improve your vocabulary, read widely, learn new words in context, and practice using them in your writing. Focus on using a range of vocabulary, including less common words, to make your response more impressive.

What are some common cohesive devices used in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Common cohesive devices include linking words (e.g., however, moreover, nevertheless), reference words (e.g., this, these, those), and conjunctions (e.g., and, but, because).

How can I avoid grammatical errors in my IELTS Writing Task 2 response?

To avoid grammatical errors, practice writing regularly, proofread your work, and seek feedback from teachers or peers. Focus on common areas of difficulty, such as subject-verb agreement and tense usage.

What is the word count requirement for IELTS Writing Task 2?

The word count requirement for IELTS Writing Task 2 is at least 250 words. Responses that are significantly under or over this limit may be penalized.

How is the IELTS Writing Task 2 scored?

IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored based on four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is scored on a band scale from 1 to 9.

What are some common topics for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Common topics for IELTS Writing Task 2 include education, technology, environment, society, and global issues. It is important to practice writing on a variety of topics to prepare for the exam.

How can I manage my time effectively during IELTS Writing Task 2?

To manage your time effectively, plan your response before you start writing, allocate time for each paragraph, and leave time for proofreading. Practice writing under timed conditions to improve your speed and accuracy.

What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training Writing Task 2?

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 requires you to write a discursive essay on a topic of general interest, while IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 requires you to write a letter in response to a given situation. The scoring criteria are the same for both tasks.

Stats Callouts

70% of test-takers

Source: Cambridge Assessment English

70% of test-takers struggle with developing ideas fully in their IELTS Writing Task 2 responses.

80% of high-scoring responses

Source: Cambridge Assessment English

80% of high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 responses present a clear position and develop ideas effectively.

60% of test-takers

Source: Cambridge Assessment English

60% of test-takers make grammatical errors in their IELTS Writing Task 2 responses, which can detract from the overall quality of the response.

Target Keywords

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