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 air pollutionenvironmental degradation have become major challenges in many cities around the world. Some people argue that increasing the price of petrol is the most effective approachmethod to address these issues. I agree with this viewpoint to a large extent, as higher fuel prices can significantly reduce private vehicle usevehicle usage. Nevertheless, additionalcomplementary 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 unnecessary journeysnon-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, after a steep rise in fuel pricesfollowing a steep fuel price hike in Norway in 2017, there was a noticeable declinethe 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 reduce traffic and emissionsmay yield results, it should be implemented alongside other long-term strategies. One such measure is the implementation ofOne such measure is implementing congestion charges in city centres. For instance, London’s congestion pricing has successfully discouraged unnecessary driving within the city centrecore, 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 tackle vehicle pollutiontarget the pollution problem without solely relying on changes in fuel pricesfuel 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.
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.
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
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.