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
In recent decades, traffic congestion and environmental degradation have become major challenges in many cities around the world. Some people argue that increasing the price of petrol is the most effective method to address these issues. I agree with this viewpoint to a large extent, as higher fuel prices can significantly reduce vehicle usage. Nevertheless, complementary measures are also needed for long-term success.
Raising the cost of petrol is an effective deterrent against excessive car use. When fuel becomes expensive, people are more likely to reconsider non-essential journeys, carpool with others, or shift to more sustainable modes of transport. This not only reduces traffic congestion but also decreases harmful emissions from vehicles. For example, following a steep fuel price hike in Norway in 2017, the country reported a noticeable decline in private vehicle use and a sharp rise in public transport usage, contributing to improved air quality in urban areas.
However, while increasing petrol prices may yield results, it should be implemented alongside other long-term strategies. One such measure is implementing congestion charges in city centres. For instance, London’s congestion pricing has successfully discouraged unnecessary driving within the city core, leading to reduced traffic and pollution levels. Another effective approach is to introduce stricter vehicle emission standards. By encouraging the use of hybrid or electric vehicles and phasing out older, high-emission models, governments can directly target the pollution problem without solely relying on fuel price adjustments.
In conclusion, increasing petrol prices is a powerful and immediate tool to combat traffic and pollution. However, for lasting change, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes regulatory reforms and urban planning aimed at promoting cleaner, more sustainable transport habits.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural collocation Original: vehicle usage Suggested revision: private vehicle use Why it matters: This is a more natural collocation for the amount of driving people do.
- 2. Choose concise wording Original: non-essential journeys Suggested revision: unnecessary journeys Why it matters: This expresses the same idea more directly and naturally.
- 3. Clarify time link Original: following a steep fuel price hike Suggested revision: after a steep rise in fuel prices Why it matters: This makes the time relationship more direct and keeps the register formal.
- 4. Avoid vague agency Original: the country reported a noticeable decline Suggested revision: there was a noticeable decline Why it matters: This avoids presenting the country itself as the reporting agent.
- 5. Be more precise Original: may yield results Suggested revision: may reduce traffic and emissions Why it matters: The revision names the results already under discussion instead of using a vague noun.
- 6. Improve noun structure Original: One such measure is implementing Suggested revision: One such measure is the implementation of Why it matters: A noun phrase fits more smoothly after the linking verb here.
- 7. Use consistent variety Original: core Suggested revision: centre Why it matters: This British English term is more consistent with the essay's use of petrol and centres.
- 8. Specify the problem Original: target the pollution problem Suggested revision: tackle vehicle pollution Why it matters: This identifies the particular source of pollution being discussed.
- 9. Use plainer wording Original: fuel price adjustments Suggested revision: changes in fuel prices Why it matters: This conveys the idea more naturally while preserving the intended meaning.
- 10. Match the topic precisely Original: environmental degradation Suggested revision: air pollution Why it matters: The task specifically concerns pollution from traffic, so this wording is more focused.
- 11. Use natural phrasing Original: method Suggested revision: approach Why it matters: Approach collocates more naturally with a broad policy proposal.
- 12. Use transparent wording Original: complementary Suggested revision: additional Why it matters: This makes the reference to the later alternatives immediately clear.
Suggested Rewrites
- vehicle usage private vehicle use
- non-essential journeys unnecessary journeys
- following a steep fuel price hike after a steep rise in fuel prices
- the country reported a noticeable decline there was a noticeable decline
- may yield results may reduce traffic and emissions
- One such measure is implementing One such measure is the implementation of
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response directly answers both parts with a clear, consistently maintained position, and its strongest feature is the relevant development of petrol pricing alongside complementary measures. Its main limitation is that some supporting examples are asserted rather than examined in depth. Prioritise explaining the practical mechanism and likely limitations of each proposed policy more fully to make the argument more analytical and persuasive.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response fully addresses the extent question and proposes several relevant alternative measures with clear support.
Develop the examples more analytically by explaining their limitations or conditions for success.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through clearly focused paragraphs, with cohesive devices used smoothly and accurately.
Make the relationship between congestion charging, emission standards, and the central position slightly more explicit.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary supports nuanced discussion of transport policy and environmental effects.
Refine a few conventional phrases, such as references to immediate or long-term effects, to sound less formulaic.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A broad range of complex structures is used accurately, with consistently clear and controlled sentences.
Vary the openings of supporting sentences to make the already accurate syntax more stylistically flexible.
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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.