Task 2 · · 18 samples

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?

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Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • A fuel-price rise may discourage optional car journeys, but it can affect people with limited transport choices more heavily.
  • Frequent, affordable and reliable public transport gives commuters a practical alternative to driving.
  • Combine congestion measures, such as peak-time charges, with investments in cleaner vehicles and safe walking or cycling routes.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the problem and state clearly whether higher petrol prices are the best solution.
  2. Explain one benefit and one limitation of increasing fuel prices.
  3. Develop public transport as a main alternative, linking service improvements to reduced car use.
  4. Add one or two complementary measures for congestion and pollution.
  5. Conclude by comparing a price increase alone with a combined approach.
Useful vocabulary & examples
a practical alternative to driving
A realistic option that people can use instead of travelling by car.

Frequent buses would give commuters a practical alternative to driving.

peak-time charges
Fees applied to vehicles travelling in busy areas during the most congested hours.

Peak-time charges could reduce the number of cars entering the city centre.

emissions standards
Official limits on the pollutants that vehicles or other sources may release.

Stricter emissions standards can help reduce pollution from vehicles.

place a heavier burden on
To make a cost or difficulty affect a particular group more severely.

A large fuel-price increase could place a heavier burden on lower-income drivers.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

371 words · Illustrative target band

Nowadays, growing traffic and the environmental impact of vehicles is a serious issue around the world. Some believe that increasing the petrol price is the perfect solution for the large numbers of traffic jams, and the air pollution. In this essay, I will argue that building better public transport infrastructure and limiting the usage of private cars in crowded areas would provide a stronger response. A higher fu…

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AI-completed learning example

367 words · Illustrative target band

The greatest way to address the escalating issues of traffic and pollution is to raise the price of petroleum. The evolution of technology has made life easier to the point that we can go to our destinations without difficulty using either personal vehicles or public transportation. Due to a peak in the number of personal vehicles, some areas face persistent congestion. A higher fuel price can give drivers a reason …

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AI-completed learning example

277 words · Illustrative target band

The problem of traffic and pollution is very complex. Although raising the price of gasoline can be an effective way to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. One alternative that could be effective is to improve public transportation. By making public transport cheaper, more timely and more convenient, more people can be encouraged to use their cars less often. However, I do not believe that increasing petrol pric…

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