IELTS Writing Task 2: Walkable Cities (Advantages Disadvantages) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Some cities are designed to be walkable, while others are not. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of walkable cities. Give relevant examples and support your answer with specific details.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Walkable cities have many benefits and drawbacks. First, the advantages are numerous. Walkable cities reduce pollution because fewer cars are on the road. This is good for the environment. Also, walking is good for health. People who walk more often have less chance of getting heart diseases. However, there are some disadvantages. Walkable cities often have limited housing. This means that the cost of living can be very high. Additionally, traffic can be a problem. When many people walk, the roads can become crowded, and this can cause accidents.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses some cohesive devices but with some repetition.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent grammatical errors but with some complex sentences.

Band 7.0 Answer

The concept of walkable cities has gained significant attention in recent years. One of the primary advantages is the positive impact on the environment. With fewer cars on the road, air quality improves, and greenhouse gas emissions decrease. For instance, cities like Copenhagen have implemented bike lanes and pedestrian zones, resulting in cleaner air and a healthier population. Moreover, walkable cities promote social interaction. People are more likely to engage with their neighbors and community when they walk rather than drive. However, there are some drawbacks. Walkable cities often face challenges related to infrastructure. Older cities may not have the necessary pedestrian-friendly design, making it difficult to implement changes. Additionally, the cost of living in walkable cities can be high due to limited housing options.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some repetition.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary with some errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Makes some grammatical errors but with a mix of simple and complex sentences.

Band 8.0 Answer

Walkable cities offer a plethora of benefits, but they also come with certain challenges. One of the most significant advantages is the improvement in public health. Walking is a form of exercise that can help prevent obesity, heart disease, and other health issues. For example, cities like Amsterdam have seen a decrease in health problems related to a sedentary lifestyle since they became more walkable. Additionally, walkable cities can boost the local economy. Pedestrians are more likely to stop at local shops, which can lead to increased business for small businesses. However, there are some disadvantages. Walkable cities often have limited housing options, which can drive up the cost of living. Furthermore, the infrastructure required to make a city walkable can be expensive and time-consuming to implement. For instance, cities may need to widen sidewalks, add crosswalks, and improve public transportation, all of which require significant investment.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear progression of ideas.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Makes some grammatical errors but with a mix of simple and complex sentences.

Band 9.0 Answer

The proliferation of walkable cities has become a global phenomenon, driven by the need for sustainable urban development. One of the most compelling advantages is the positive impact on the environment. Walkable cities reduce the reliance on private vehicles, leading to a significant decrease in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, cities like Portland, Oregon, have implemented extensive pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, resulting in a 20% reduction in carbon emissions over the past decade. Moreover, walkable cities foster a sense of community. When people walk, they are more likely to interact with their neighbors and engage in community activities, which can lead to stronger social bonds. However, there are some challenges. Walkable cities often face issues related to urban sprawl. As cities become more walkable, they may expand outward, leading to the loss of green spaces and natural habitats. Additionally, the cost of living in walkable cities can be prohibitively high due to limited housing options and increased demand for property.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear progression of ideas and paragraphing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precise and less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with minimal errors.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Proliferation (noun): rapid increase in the number or amount of something.

• Example: The proliferation of walkable cities has become a global phenomenon.

1. Sustainable (adjective): able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.

• Example: The need for sustainable urban development.

1. Compelling (adjective): evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.

• Example: One of the most compelling advantages is the positive impact on the environment.

1. Infrastructure (noun): the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

• Example: Cities may need to widen sidewalks, add crosswalks, and improve public transportation, all of which require significant investment in infrastructure.

1. Prohibitively (adverb): in a way that prevents someone from doing something because it is too expensive or difficult.

• Example: The cost of living in walkable cities can be prohibitively high.

1. Urban sprawl (noun): the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural areas.

• Example: Walkable cities often face issues related to urban sprawl.

1. Green spaces (noun): areas of grass, trees, or other vegetation in urban areas, such as parks or community gardens.

• Example: The loss of green spaces and natural habitats.

1. Pedestrian (noun): a person walking, especially in a town or city, rather than traveling in a vehicle.

• Example: Cities like Portland have implemented extensive pedestrian infrastructure.

1. Cycling (noun): the activity of riding a bicycle.

• Example: Cities like Amsterdam have seen a decrease in health problems related to a sedentary lifestyle since they became more walkable and cycling-friendly.

1. Sedentary (adjective): involving little or no exercise or physical activity.

• Example: Walking is a form of exercise that can help prevent health issues related to a sedentary lifestyle.

1. Carbon emissions (noun): the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels.

• Example: A significant decrease in carbon emissions.

1. Community activities (noun): events or programs organized by or for a community, such as festivals, sports leagues, or volunteer projects.

• Example: People are more likely to interact with their neighbors and engage in community activities.

1. Social bonds (noun): the connections or relationships that people have with each other, often based on shared interests, values, or experiences.

• Example: Stronger social bonds.

1. Urban development (noun): the process of planning, designing, and constructing buildings, infrastructure, and other facilities in urban areas.

• Example: The need for sustainable urban development.

1. Natural habitats (noun): the natural environments where plants and animals live, such as forests, wetlands, or grasslands.

• Example: The loss of green spaces and natural habitats.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Specific Examples: Many students fail to provide specific examples to support their arguments, which can lead to a lower score in the Task Response criterion.
2. Poor Coherence and Cohesion: Some students struggle with organizing their ideas in a clear and logical manner, which can result in a lower score in the Coherence and Cohesion criterion.
3. Limited Vocabulary: Students often use a limited range of vocabulary, which can lead to a lower score in the Lexical Resource criterion.
4. Grammatical Errors: Many students make frequent grammatical errors, which can result in a lower score in the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion.
5. Repetition: Some students repeat the same ideas or vocabulary, which can make their writing seem less sophisticated and result in a lower score.

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