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, itconflict on roads it is often because the cyclist has a poor sense of road prioritya warped sense of priority. The general rule of thumb is that when cars have the right of way, they can choose to yieldpossess the option of yielding to cyclists. Otherwise, since cars travel much more quickly than bicycles, the cyclist must allow the car to pass firstpass 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 brakingbreaking 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 without the underlying aggressiontraffic minus the veiled aggression that typically defines the relationship between motorists and cyclistscar and bicycle relationship.
In conclusion, cars and bikes are in opposition because cyclists overestimate the capabilities of bicyclescyclists 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 benefitboon.
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.
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
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.