When cars and cyclists use the same roads, there are often problems. Why is this the case? What are the solutions?
Sample Response
Many issues arise when cyclists and motorists occupy the same streets. In my opinion, this is typically the fault of the former and the solutions all relate to better urban planning.
When cyclists and motorists come into conflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a warped sense of priority. The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way, they possess the option of yielding to cyclists. Otherwise, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass by first so that roads do not become congested. Unfortunately, many people on bicycles attempt to travel as fast as cars without the maneuverability, safety, or breaking ability of cars. The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations, collisions may result.
The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. Urban planners have created bike lanes and altered roadways to mitigate potential conflicts. Over time, with clearer rules of engagement and better urban planning, instances of road rage and disagreement have declined. Adding bike lanes is only part of the solution; it is key for planners to develop innovative solutions for roundabouts, traffic lights, and bridges that allow for a seamless flow of traffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the car and bicycle relationship.
In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel and these issues can be remedied through better urban planning. Implementing these solutions is advisable since biking is such an environmental boon.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Add the clause comma Original: conflict on roads it Suggested revision: conflict on roads, it Why it matters: A comma is needed after the introductory dependent clause.
- 2. Use precise road language Original: a warped sense of priority Suggested revision: a poor sense of road priority Why it matters: The revision makes the criticism more precise and less figurative.
- 3. Use a direct verb Original: possess the option of yielding Suggested revision: can choose to yield Why it matters: The replacement expresses the option more naturally and concisely.
- 4. Remove the unnecessary particle Original: pass by first Suggested revision: pass first Why it matters: 'Pass first' is the natural expression for precedence in this context.
- 5. Use the correct term Original: breaking Suggested revision: braking Why it matters: 'Braking' refers to slowing or stopping a vehicle, whereas 'breaking' means damaging it.
- 6. Use a natural preposition Original: traffic minus the veiled aggression Suggested revision: traffic without the underlying aggression Why it matters: The revision expresses absence naturally and replaces the unclear collocation 'veiled aggression'.
- 7. Name the road users Original: car and bicycle relationship Suggested revision: relationship between motorists and cyclists Why it matters: The replacement refers consistently to people using the vehicles rather than to the vehicles themselves.
- 8. Clarify the intended criticism Original: cyclists have overestimated their mode of travel Suggested revision: cyclists overestimate the capabilities of bicycles Why it matters: The revision makes clear what cyclists are said to overestimate.
- 9. Use a neutral academic term Original: boon Suggested revision: benefit Why it matters: 'Environmental benefit' is clearer and more neutral than the figurative noun 'boon'.
- 10. Sentence rewrite Original: The result is that cars and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other or, in extreme situations, collisions may result. Suggested revision: As a result, motorists and cyclists are often at odds and wary of each other, and in extreme situations collisions may occur. Why it matters: The rewrite fixes the faulty coordination and keeps the subjects consistently focused on road users.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: The solutions to ease these road conflicts are to better plan cities and wait for automobiles and cyclists to adapt to each other. Suggested revision: Solutions to these road conflicts include better urban planning and allowing time for motorists and cyclists to adapt to each other. Why it matters: The rewrite creates a parallel noun structure and uses people rather than vehicles as the agents that adapt.
- 12. Sentence rewrite Original: A good example of this would be some European cities like Amsterdam where there is a large percentage of people traveling by bicycle. Suggested revision: A good example is Amsterdam, a European city where a large percentage of people travel by bicycle. Why it matters: The rewrite corrects the mismatch between the plural 'cities' and the single example of Amsterdam.
Suggested Rewrites
- conflict on roads it conflict on roads, it
- a warped sense of priority a poor sense of road priority
- possess the option of yielding can choose to yield
- pass by first pass first
- breaking braking
- traffic minus the veiled aggression traffic without the underlying aggression
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its focused development: it explains a specific source of conflict and follows with concrete urban-planning solutions supported by a relevant example. The main limitation is that a few assertions about cyclists and road priority are somewhat sweeping, and isolated word-choice slips reduce precision. The highest-priority improvement is to present the cause more objectively and support it with a more balanced account of shared-road behaviour.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both questions are fully addressed through a developed explanation of cyclist-motorist conflict and specific planning-based remedies.
Make the causal analysis more balanced by acknowledging how infrastructure or driver behaviour can also create conflict.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is clearly organised, and ideas progress naturally from the cause of the problem to increasingly specific solutions.
Clarify the relationship between waiting for road users to adapt and the immediate planning measures proposed alongside it.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, flexible, and often precise, with only isolated awkward choices and a spelling error.
Replace strained wording such as overestimating a mode of travel and correct breaking ability to braking ability.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex sentence forms are varied and well controlled, with most sentences error-free and meaning consistently clear.
Refine punctuation and coordination in the longer sentences so relationships between alternatives and results remain completely unambiguous.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
When cars and cyclists use the same roads, there are often problems. Why is this the case? What are the solutions?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.