Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that in many cities around the world there are constant traffic jams. How true do you think this statement is? What measures can governments take to discourage people from owning cars?
Sample Response
It has become increasingly common in recent years for cities to be inundated with cars and, consequently, increased levels of traffic. In my opinion, this is a very real phenomenon and governments could do more to encourage other modes of transport.
There is little doubt that the main cause of traffic is more cars in urban areas. One natural consequence of a burgeoning global middle class is a rise in automobile ownership. This is reflected not only in statistics but also in the day-to-day reality of millions living in densely populated cities such as Los Angeles, Beijing, and London. The average person living in those cities must choose between sitting in traffic, using public transport, or residing near to their workplace. There is little chance this pattern will change in the future as many people see owning a car as a sign of social status and a mark of success in life generally.
Since most car owners will not be dissuaded by higher prices, the best method to combat traffic is to stimulate other kinds of transportation. Since most cities already possess public transportation in the form of buses and subways, governments can simply commit to maintaining and expanding existing options. A standout example of this would be the London Underground which has dozens of lines and is maintained to a high standard. Another pragmatic solution would be to encourage the use of bikes and motorbikes. Many European countries do this by providing free bicycles for short rides. In Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, urban planners provide lanes specifically for compact motorbikes where there is far less traffic than in the lanes for bulky cars.
In conclusion, there is clear evidence that cities are more crowded than ever before and the state can curb this trend by enacting policies to promote bicycles and motorbikes in cities. This is a crucial reform not only for quality of life but also the environmental impact.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use a natural collocation Original: inundated Suggested revision: filled Why it matters: The original metaphor is understandable but sounds overstated in this context.
- 2. Specify congestion Original: increased levels of traffic Suggested revision: higher levels of traffic congestion Why it matters: This wording identifies the problematic traffic condition more precisely.
- 3. Name the traffic problem Original: the main cause of traffic Suggested revision: the main cause of traffic congestion Why it matters: Traffic itself is neutral, whereas congestion is the problem being discussed.
- 4. Use natural phrasing Original: residing near to their workplace Suggested revision: living near their workplace Why it matters: This is a more idiomatic way to express proximity to work.
- 5. Use idiomatic wording Original: life generally Suggested revision: life in general Why it matters: The fixed expression is “in general” in this context.
- 6. Clarify the target Original: combat traffic Suggested revision: combat traffic congestion Why it matters: Adding “congestion” makes the target of the policy precise.
- 7. Improve the collocation Original: stimulate other kinds of transportation Suggested revision: promote other modes of transport Why it matters: Governments conventionally “promote” modes of transport rather than “stimulate” them.
- 8. Add a relative-clause comma Original: Underground which Suggested revision: Underground, which Why it matters: The non-defining relative clause needs a comma before “which.”
- 9. Clarify the relative link Original: where there is far less traffic Suggested revision: on which there is far less traffic Why it matters: “On which” links the traffic directly to the lanes more accurately.
- 10. Use neutral wording Original: bulky Suggested revision: larger Why it matters: “Larger” gives a more precise and neutral comparison with compact motorbikes.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: This is a crucial reform not only for quality of life but also the environmental impact. Suggested revision: This reform is crucial both for quality of life and for reducing the environmental impact. Why it matters: The rewrite restores parallel structure between the two stated benefits.
- 12. Group the measures clearly Suggested revision: Group the public-transport measures before the bicycle and motorbike measures, with a clear transition between the two groups. Why it matters: The paragraph moves more smoothly when related transport options are organised into distinct groups.
Suggested Rewrites
- inundated filled
- increased levels of traffic higher levels of traffic congestion
- the main cause of traffic the main cause of traffic congestion
- residing near to their workplace living near their workplace
- life generally life in general
- combat traffic combat traffic congestion
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its clear position, confident progression, and well-developed range of transport measures supported by relevant examples. Its main limitation is that some proposals are framed primarily as ways to reduce traffic rather than being explicitly connected to discouraging car ownership; the highest-priority improvement is to explain more precisely how each policy would change individual ownership decisions.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both questions are answered directly with a clear position and well-developed, relevant measures.
Make the causal link between each transport policy and reduced private car ownership fully explicit.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through focused paragraphs, with cohesive devices used clearly and effectively.
Vary recurring transitions such as 'Since' to make the progression feel even more natural.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys ideas flexibly, including effective topic-specific language.
Refine occasional collocations such as 'residing near to' and the final phrase about environmental impact.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is controlled accurately, with only isolated minor lapses.
Polish the final parallel construction so both benefits after 'not only...but also' are grammatically complete.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that in many cities around the world there are constant traffic jams. How true do you think this statement is? What measures can governments take to discourage people from owning cars?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.