The best way to solve the world's environmental problem is to increase the price of fuel.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. The best way to solve the world's environmental problem is to increase the price of fuel.

Best Way Solve World Environmental Problem Increase Fuel Price - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 · 268 words.

Some people argue that raising the price of fuel is the most effective solution to global environmental problems. While I agree that higher fuel prices can help, I believe this alone is not enough to solve the problem, and other measures are equally necessary.

On the one hand, increasing fuel prices can genuinely reduce environmental damage. When petrol and diesel become more expensive, people are encouraged to drive less, use public transport more, or switch to more fuel-efficient or electric vehicles. This directly reduces carbon emissions and air pollution from vehicles, which are among the biggest contributors to climate change. For example, several European countries have raised fuel taxes in recent years, and this has been linked to a noticeable increase in public transport use and a decline in car journeys for short distances.

However, raising fuel prices alone cannot solve the world’s environmental problems, because these problems are far too complex and have many different causes. Industrial pollution, deforestation, and the production of plastic waste are not directly affected by the price of fuel, yet they contribute enormously to environmental damage. In addition, higher fuel prices can unfairly burden poorer families who depend on cars for work and have no affordable alternative, which can create social problems without necessarily changing their behaviour, since they may simply have no other choice but to keep paying more.

In conclusion, while increasing fuel prices can help reduce environmental harm, I disagree that it is the best or only way to solve the world’s environmental problems, since a wider range of solutions is required to tackle such a complex global issue.

Examiner feedback

This is a clear, well-organised Band 7 response with a consistent position and sound supporting reasoning. The main limitation is that the essay does not develop the 'other measures' it argues are necessary, so the answer to the question of what the best solution is remains underdeveloped. Language control is solid, with only minor errors.

Task Response - 7

- The position is clear from the opening: partial agreement that fuel prices help, but disagreement that they are the best or only solution. - Ideas are relevant and reasonably developed. The emissions argument is supported by a European example, and the limitations (complex causes, unfair burden on poorer families) are logical. - The task asks for the best solution, but the essay only gestures at 'other measures' without naming or developing any, so the alternatives are underdeveloped.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

- Four clearly organised paragraphs (introduction, benefits, limitations, conclusion) with a logical 'On the one hand / However' progression. - Cohesive devices ('However', 'In addition', 'In conclusion') are used appropriately, though they are somewhat formulaic. - The third paragraph combines two separate arguments (complexity of causes and social inequality), which weakens its central focus.

Lexical Resource - 7

- Vocabulary is sufficiently varied and precise for the topic (e.g., 'contributors', 'fuel-efficient', 'unfairly burden', 'contribute enormously'). - Word formation and spelling are accurate, and British spelling ('petrol', 'behaviour') is used consistently. - Some phrasing is generic ('far too complex', 'a wider range of solutions'), and the essay lacks more precise or sophisticated collocations.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- A good range of complex structures is used, including relative clauses, conditional-style reasoning, and participle phrases, with many error-free sentences. - Grammatical errors are rare, with one minor misuse of 'equally' that does not impede meaning. - Punctuation is generally well controlled, with appropriate commas around linking words and relative clauses.

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