Some people think that the government should raise the cost of fuel to reduce traffic and pollution.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think that the government should raise the cost of fuel to reduce traffic and pollution.

Government Raise Cost Fuel Reduce Traffic Pollution - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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 8 · 279 words.

Increasing fuel prices is often suggested as a way to tackle traffic congestion and environmental pollution. While I agree that higher fuel costs may discourage some people from using private vehicles, I believe that this measure alone is not sufficient to solve these problems.

On the one hand, raising the price of fuel can reduce the number of cars on the roads. When driving becomes more expensive, some people may choose public transport, cycling, or walking instead. As a result, traffic congestion could decrease, especially in large cities where alternative means of transport are available. Furthermore, fewer vehicles on the roads would lead to lower carbon emissions and improved air quality.

On the other hand, increasing fuel prices may place a financial burden on many citizens. People who live in rural areas often have no choice but to drive long distances to work, school, or essential services. For them, higher fuel costs would simply increase living expenses rather than reduce car usage. In addition, if public transportation is unreliable or unavailable, raising fuel prices is unlikely to change people’s behaviour significantly.

In my opinion, governments should focus on a combination of measures rather than relying solely on fuel price increases. Investing in efficient public transport systems, creating dedicated cycling lanes, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles would be more effective in the long term. Such solutions could reduce both traffic congestion and pollution without placing excessive pressure on household budgets.

In conclusion, although higher fuel prices may contribute to reducing traffic and pollution to some extent, they are not a complete solution. Governments should adopt a broader strategy that includes improving transportation infrastructure and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives.

Examiner feedback

This is a very strong response that demonstrates a clear understanding of the task and sophisticated control of the English language. The essay is well-organized and the arguments are presented logically with high grammatical accuracy, placing it firmly in the Band 8.0 category.

Task Response - 8

- Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the benefits and drawbacks of raising fuel prices. - Presents a well-developed position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas regarding alternative solutions. - The conclusion clearly summarizes the main points and reinforces the writer's stance.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information and ideas are sequenced logically with a clear progression throughout the essay. - Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition' are used accurately and naturally. - Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph containing a clear central topic.

Lexical Resource - 8

- Uses a wide range of vocabulary (e.g., 'tackle traffic congestion', 'financial burden', 'carbon emissions') fluently and flexibly. - Demonstrates good awareness of collocation and style appropriate for an academic task. - Errors in spelling or word formation are virtually non-existent.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- Uses a wide range of structures, including conditional sentences and complex clauses, with high accuracy. - The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of grammatical control. - Punctuation is used correctly throughout, supporting the flow of the arguments.

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