IELTS Writing Task 2: Walkable Cities - Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
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Prompt
Some people believe that cities should be designed to be walkable, while others argue that this is not practical. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but lacks development and supporting ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 5.0 - Ideas are organized but with some repetition and lack of clear progression.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with frequent errors and limited range.
- Grammar (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex sentences but with frequent grammatical errors.
Answer
Some people think cities should be walkable, but others disagree. I think both sides have good points.
First, walkable cities are good for health. People can walk more and not use cars. This is good for the environment too. But, some cities are too big. People need cars to get around. Also, in bad weather, walking is not easy.
In conclusion, walkable cities are good, but not all cities can be walkable. It depends on the size and weather.
Band 7.0 Answer
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with some development and supporting ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Ideas are logically organized with some cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some less common lexical items.
- Grammar (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with some errors.
Answer
The idea of designing cities to be walkable has gained traction in recent years. However, there are differing opinions on its practicality.
On one hand, walkable cities offer numerous benefits. They promote physical activity, reduce traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions. For instance, cities like Copenhagen have successfully implemented walkable designs, leading to healthier populations and cleaner air. On the other hand, critics argue that walkable cities are not feasible for all urban areas. Large cities with sprawling suburbs may find it challenging to implement such designs. Additionally, inclement weather can make walking less appealing.
In my opinion, while walkable cities are ideal, they may not be practical for all regions. A balanced approach that considers local conditions is necessary.
Band 8.0 Answer
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development and supporting ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically organized with a clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a range of appropriate vocabulary with some less common lexical items and some sophisticated expressions.
- Grammar (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with some errors but generally accurate.
Answer
The concept of designing cities to be walkable has sparked considerable debate. Proponents argue that walkable cities enhance quality of life, while detractors claim that such designs are impractical.
Advocates of walkable cities point to the numerous advantages they offer. Walkable urban environments encourage physical activity, reduce reliance on automobiles, and promote social interaction. For example, cities like Amsterdam have successfully integrated walkable designs, resulting in healthier, more vibrant communities. Furthermore, walkable cities can boost local economies by attracting pedestrians to shops and restaurants.
However, opponents contend that walkable cities are not viable for all urban areas. Large, sprawling cities may struggle to implement walkable designs due to geographical constraints. Additionally, inclement weather can deter people from walking, making such designs less effective in certain regions.
In my view, while walkable cities offer significant benefits, their implementation should be tailored to the specific needs and conditions of each urban area. A one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to be successful.
Band 9.0 Answer
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with thorough development and supporting ideas, using relevant examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Ideas are logically organized with a clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with sophisticated and less common lexical items.
- Grammar (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with minimal errors and excellent control of grammar and punctuation.
Answer
The notion of designing cities to be pedestrian-friendly has garnered significant attention in urban planning circles. While proponents extol the virtues of walkable cities, critics contend that such designs are not universally feasible.
Proponents of walkable cities highlight the myriad benefits they confer. Pedestrian-friendly urban environments foster physical well-being, reduce traffic congestion, and mitigate environmental degradation. For instance, cities like Barcelona have successfully implemented walkable designs, resulting in enhanced quality of life for residents. Moreover, walkable cities can stimulate economic activity by attracting pedestrians to commercial districts.
Conversely, detractors argue that walkable cities are not practical for all urban areas. Large, sprawling metropolises may encounter formidable challenges in implementing walkable designs due to geographical and infrastructural constraints. Furthermore, adverse weather conditions can render walking less appealing, thereby limiting the effectiveness of such designs.
In my opinion, while walkable cities offer substantial advantages, their implementation should be contingent upon the unique characteristics and requirements of each urban area. A nuanced, context-specific approach is essential to ensure the success of walkable city designs.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Traction (noun): Gaining popularity or acceptance. Example: The idea of walkable cities has gained traction in recent years.
- Feasible (adjective): Possible to do easily or conveniently. Example: Walkable cities are not feasible for all urban areas.
- Inclement (adjective): (of the weather) unfavourable or harsh. Example: Inclement weather can make walking less appealing.
- Proponents (noun): People who support or advocate for a particular idea or cause. Example: Proponents of walkable cities highlight the benefits they offer.
- Detractors (noun): People who criticize or oppose a particular idea or cause. Example: Detractors argue that walkable cities are not practical.
- Vibrant (adjective): Full of energy and enthusiasm. Example: Walkable cities can create vibrant communities.
- Tailored (adjective): Customized or adapted to suit a particular need or condition. Example: A tailored approach is necessary for walkable city designs.
- Mitigate (verb): To make less severe or serious. Example: Walkable cities can mitigate environmental degradation.
- Stimulate (verb): To encourage or prompt (an action or process). Example: Walkable cities can stimulate economic activity.
- Adverse (adjective): Unfavourable or harmful. Example: Adverse weather conditions can limit the effectiveness of walkable city designs.
- Nuanced (adjective): Showing subtle differences or shades of meaning. Example: A nuanced approach is essential for walkable city designs.
- Context-specific (adjective): Pertaining to a particular context or situation. Example: A context-specific approach is necessary for walkable city designs.
- Pedestrian-friendly (adjective): Designed to accommodate and prioritize pedestrians. Example: Pedestrian-friendly urban environments foster physical well-being.
- Metropolises (noun): Large, densely populated urban areas. Example: Large, sprawling metropolises may encounter challenges in implementing walkable designs.
- Geographical (adjective): Relating to the physical features of the earth. Example: Geographical constraints can limit the implementation of walkable city designs.
- Infringement (noun): A violation or encroachment. Example: Walkable city designs should not infringe upon the rights of motorists.
- Enhance (verb): To increase or improve in value, quality, or extent. Example: Walkable cities can enhance quality of life for residents.
- Stimulate (verb): To encourage or prompt (an action or process). Example: Walkable cities can stimulate economic activity.
- Mitigate (verb): To make less severe or serious. Example: Walkable cities can mitigate environmental degradation.
- Tailored (adjective): Customized or adapted to suit a particular need or condition. Example: A tailored approach is necessary for walkable city designs.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position on the issue, resulting in a vague or unfocused response.
- Insufficient Development: Students often provide insufficient development of their ideas, leading to a shallow or superficial response.
- Poor Organization: Poor organization of ideas can make the response difficult to follow, resulting in a lower score for coherence and cohesion.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can make the response sound repetitive and less sophisticated.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can detract from the overall quality of the response, resulting in a lower score for grammar.
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