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 severedevastating impact on the national economythe economy and country. In this essay, I will describe more effective alternatives to increasing gasoline pricessolutions 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 costs are passedhigher fuel cost is passed on to consumersto the consumers through increased prices for commodities and services. This, in turn, leads to inflationary pressures and slows economic growthcauses slow economic growth. In India, for example, a significant increase in gasoline prices in 2023 triggered the highest inflation rates in decades, placing strain on household budgetscausing a strain on household budgets and economicoverall 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 congestionchaos and vehicle pollution. Firstly, the government should invest heavily in public transportationmake 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 of a city that has investedLondon is a good example that has invested substantially in its rapid-transit underground networkits 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 authorities ought to charge driversThe authority ought to charge private cars for entering congested areas during peak hours to discourage individuals from using private vehicles and encourage alternative formsmeans of transport. ConsequentlyIn 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 traffic congestion and pollutionthe 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 solutionssolution to these problems.
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.