Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve the growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?
Sample Response
Many people argue that increasing fuel prices is the most effective way to mitigate traffic congestion and pollution. I disagree with this opinion because I think that it will have a devastating impact on the economy and country. In this essay, I will describe more effective solutions rather than increasing the gasoline price.
A spike in fuel prices is likely to have serious repercussions on the economy. This is because higher fuel cost is passed on to the consumers through increased prices for commodities and services. This, in turn, leads to inflationary pressures and causes slow economic growth. In India, for example, a significant increase in gasoline prices in 2023 triggered the highest inflation rates in decades, causing a strain on household budgets and overall productivity. For this reason, I believe this is not the best way to deal with the pressing issue.
There are other effective ways to curb traffic chaos and vehicle pollution. Firstly, the government should make large-scale investments in public transportation. This is because extensive public transport networks encourage commuters to choose buses, trams, or trains over private automobiles. London is a good example that has invested substantially in its underground system, a rapid transit system, providing an efficient and affordable alternative to driving. This decreases traffic on the road, thereby lowering emissions per capita. Secondly, implementing congestion pricing is another viable solution to these issues. The authority ought to charge private cars for entering congested areas during peak hours to discourage individuals from using private vehicles and encourage alternative means of transport. In consequence, it can effectively manage congestion and reduce pollution.
To conclude, I believe that increasing the price of fuel is not the best way to curb the traffic and pollution problems because it may raise inflation. I believe that investment in public transportation and the implementation of congestion pricing would be the most practical solution to these problems.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove vague duplication Original: the economy and country Suggested revision: the national economy Why it matters: The national economy expresses the intended economic effect without adding the vague noun 'country'.
- 2. Use correct comparison Original: solutions rather than increasing the gasoline price Suggested revision: alternatives to increasing gasoline prices Why it matters: Solutions are alternatives to a proposal rather than things described as 'rather than' that proposal.
- 3. Use plural agreement Original: higher fuel cost is passed Suggested revision: higher fuel costs are passed Why it matters: The general reference requires the plural noun and verb.
- 4. Remove unnecessary article Original: to the consumers Suggested revision: to consumers Why it matters: 'Consumers' takes no article when referring to people generally.
- 5. Use direct verb Original: causes slow economic growth Suggested revision: slows economic growth Why it matters: The direct verb states the economic effect more concisely.
- 6. Use natural collocation Original: causing a strain on household budgets Suggested revision: placing strain on household budgets Why it matters: 'Place strain on' is the natural formal collocation.
- 7. Use precise term Original: chaos Suggested revision: congestion Why it matters: 'Traffic congestion' is the precise formal term for overcrowded roads.
- 8. Clarify the example Original: London is a good example that has invested Suggested revision: London is a good example of a city that has invested Why it matters: The added noun gives the relative clause a suitable human-institutional antecedent.
- 9. Name the responsible groups Original: The authority ought to charge private cars Suggested revision: The authorities ought to charge drivers Why it matters: Authorities impose charges on drivers rather than on the cars themselves.
- 10. Use standard linker Original: In consequence Suggested revision: Consequently Why it matters: 'Consequently' is the standard result linker in this context.
- 11. Match two measures Original: solution Suggested revision: solutions Why it matters: Public transport investment and congestion pricing are two solutions, so the complement must be plural.
- 12. Use measured wording Original: devastating Suggested revision: severe Why it matters: 'Severe' maintains the strength of the claim in a more measured academic register.
Suggested Rewrites
- the economy and country the national economy
- solutions rather than increasing the gasoline price alternatives to increasing gasoline prices
- higher fuel cost is passed higher fuel costs are passed
- to the consumers to consumers
- causes slow economic growth slows economic growth
- causing a strain on household budgets placing strain on household budgets
Why this response received Band 7.5
The essay directly rejects petrol-price rises as the best solution and offers two practical alternatives, with public transport investment especially well explained. Its strongest feature is the clear, logical policy argument supported by relevant examples. The main limitation is that the economic objection does not acknowledge how higher fuel prices might reduce driving, so prioritise evaluating that mechanism before explaining why targeted congestion charging and better transit would be more effective and equitable.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both task requirements are addressed through a clear disagreement position and well-developed alternatives involving public transport and congestion pricing.
Acknowledge that higher petrol prices can discourage driving, then explain why the proposed targeted measures would still be more effective or equitable.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses logically from the economic objection to two alternatives, with focused paragraphs and generally smooth cohesion.
Give congestion pricing its own paragraph so its mechanism and contrast with a general petrol-price increase can be developed more fully.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and precise across economic, transport, and environmental themes, with only occasional awkward collocations or repetition.
Refine phrases such as ‘causes slow economic growth’, ‘traffic chaos’, and ‘the authority’ into more natural policy language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, with only minor agreement, article, and reference issues that do not impede meaning.
Check agreement in noun phrases such as ‘higher fuel costs’ and ensure pronouns have an unmistakable policy or institutional referent.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve the growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.