This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of car-free days from the real IELTS exam.
IELTS Essay: Car-Free Days
Some people believe that car-free days are effective ways to reduce air pollution. However, others argue that there are other ways that are more effective.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Many today feel that designated car-free days are the optimal method to reduce rising levels of air pollution. In my opinion, despite other viable options, car-free days would be the best remedy.
Critics of this policy argue that governments could instead create laws related to industrial production. Except for automobiles, the main causes of air pollution are resource mining, consumer electronics manufacturing, and textile fabrication. If governments legislated strict controls on production methods, there would be a concomitant decline in air pollution figures. For instance, in many European nations, companies have limited carbon emissions thresholds they can utilize in production and exceeding these numbers results in heavy fines and other penalties. This forward-looking solution is also appealing since it would encompass the entire calendar year, whereas car-free days are more limited in their scope.
However, car-free days would have greater impact due to their far-reaching implications. Firstly, banning cars would massively reduce air pollution figures since cars contribute more harmful gases into the atmosphere than any single industry. Secondly, banning cars would force motorists to find alternative modes of transportation that might then become habits. A person who cannot drive to work once a week, may consider working at home or utilizing public transport. If they find these options more efficient, then they may willingly abandon using their car on other days. Over time, this could begin to shift mindsets in society and individuals might become less obsessed with car ownership as a symbol of wealth and success and start prioritizing efficiency and a cleaner environment.
In conclusion, though regulation of particular industries would also aid in the reduction of air pollution, the banning of automobiles on certain days is the single best solution. Governments should consider implementing and expanding existing policies that prohibit private vehicles.
Analysis
1. Many today feel that designated car-free days are the optimal method to reduce rising levels of air pollution. 2. In my opinion, despite other viable options, car-free days would be the best remedy.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Critics of this policy argue that governments could instead create laws related to industrial production. 2. Except for automobiles, the main causes of air pollution are resource mining, consumer electronics manufacturing, and textile fabrication. 3. If governments legislated strict controls on production methods, there would be a concomitant decline in air pollution figures. 4. For instance, in many European nations, companies have limited carbon emissions thresholds they can utilize in production and exceeding these numbers results in heavy fines and other penalties. 5. This forward-looking solution is also appealing since it would encompass the entire calendar year, whereas car-free days are more limited in their scope.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- You can sometimes include the counterpoint here too.
1. However, car-free days would have greater impact due to their far-reaching implications. 2. Firstly, banning cars would massively reduce air pollution figures since cars contribute more harmful gases into the atmosphere than any single industry. 3. Secondly, banning cars would force motorists to find alternative modes of transportation that might then become habits. 4. A person who cannot drive to work once a week, may consider working at home or utilizing public transport. 5. If they find these options more efficient, then they may willingly abandon using their car on other days. 6. Over time, this could begin to shift mindsets in society and individuals might become less obsessed with car ownership as a symbol of wealth and success and start prioritizing efficiency and a cleaner environment.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Continue your development.
- Use a variety of grammar.
1. In conclusion, though regulation of particular industries would also aid in the reduction of air pollution, the banning of automobiles on certain days is the single best solution. 2. Governments should consider implementing and expanding existing policies that prohibit private vehicles.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
Many today feel that designated car-free days are the optimal method to reduce rising levels of air pollution. In my opinion, despite other viable options, car-free days would be the best remedy.
Critics of this policy argue that governments could instead create laws related to industrial production. Except for automobiles, the main causes of air pollution are resource mining, consumer electronics manufacturing, and textile fabrication. If governments legislated strict controls on production methods, there would be a concomitant decline in air pollution figures. For instance, in many European nations, companies have limited carbon emissions thresholds they can utilize in production and exceeding these numbers results in heavy fines and other penalties. This forward-looking solution is also appealing since it would encompass the entire calendar year, whereas car-free days are more limited in their scope.
However, car-free days would have greater impact due to their far-reaching implications. Firstly, banning cars would massively reduce air pollution figures since cars contribute more harmful gases into the atmosphere than any single industry. Secondly, banning cars would force motorists to find alternative modes of transportation that might then become habits. A person who cannot drive to work once a week, may consider working at home or utilizing public transport. If they find these options more efficient, then they may willingly abandon using their car on other days. Over time, this could begin to shift mindsets in society and individuals might become less obsessed with car ownership as a symbol of wealth and success and start prioritizing efficiency and a cleaner environment.
In conclusion, though regulation of particular industries would also aid in the reduction of air pollution, the banning of automobiles on certain days is the single best solution. Governments should consider implementing and expanding existing policies that prohibit private vehicles.
Answers
designated car-free days days when you are not allowed to drive your car
optimal method to reduce rising levels of air pollution best way to cut down on lack of fresh air
despite other viable options regardless of other good choices
remedy solution
Critics of this policy argue people who are against this idea
instead create laws related to industrial production better to limit pollution from companies
Except for automobiles with the exception of cars
main causes primary sources
resource mining getting materials like coal out of the Earth
consumer electronics manufacturing making products like iPhones
textile fabrication making clothing
legislated strict controls on production methods make laws to regulate manufacturing
concomitant decline in air pollution figures related fall in numbers for unclean air
limited carbon emissions thresholds only a certain amount you can add to the air
exceeding these numbers results in heavy fines and other penalties going above these figures means you have to pay or receive other punishments
This forward-looking solution is also appealing since the long-term fix is good because
encompass include
entire calendar year whole year
whereas instead of
limited in their scope doesn’t encompass everything
greater impact due to their far-reaching implications more effect because of repercussions
massively reduce air pollution hugely cut down on unclean air
harmful gases into the atmosphere than any single industry air pollution caused by one field
force motorists make drivers
alternative modes of transportation different ways of getting around
habits what you do every day
may consider working at home or utilizing public transport might work remotely or take buses, the metro, etc.
efficient doesn’t waste time or energy
willingly abandon of their own choice stop using
Over time in the long-term
begin to shift mindsets in society start to change how people think and act
individuals might become less obsessed with car ownership as a symbol of wealth and success people might not care as much about how cars boost their self-esteem
start prioritizing efficiency and a cleaner environment care more about saving time and energy and being good for nature
aid in help
on certain days on particular days
consider implementing and expanding existing policies that prohibit private vehicles think about putting in place laws to ban cars
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈdɛzɪgneɪtɪd kɑː-friː deɪz
ˈɒptɪməl ˈmɛθəd tuː rɪˈdjuːs ˈraɪzɪŋ ˈlɛvlz ɒv eə pəˈluːʃən
dɪsˈpaɪt ˈʌðə ˈvaɪəbl ˈɒpʃənz
ˈrɛmɪdi
ˈkrɪtɪks ɒv ðɪs ˈpɒlɪsi ˈɑːgjuː
ɪnˈstɛd kri(ː)ˈeɪt lɔːz rɪˈleɪtɪd tuː ɪnˈdʌstrɪəl prəˈdʌkʃən
ɪkˈsɛpt fɔːr ˈɔːtəməʊbiːlz
meɪn ˈkɔːzɪz
rɪˈsɔːs ˈmaɪnɪŋ
kənˈsjuːmər ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪks ˌmænjʊˈfækʧərɪŋ
ˈtɛkstaɪl ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃən
ˈlɛʤɪsleɪtɪd strɪkt kənˈtrəʊlz ɒn prəˈdʌkʃən ˈmɛθədz
kənˈkɒmɪtənt dɪˈklaɪn ɪn eə pəˈluːʃən ˈfɪgəz
ˈlɪmɪtɪd ˈkɑːbən ɪˈmɪʃənz ˈθrɛʃˌhəʊldz
ɪkˈsiːdɪŋ ðiːz ˈnʌmbəz rɪˈzʌlts ɪn ˈhɛvi faɪnz ænd ˈʌðə ˈpɛnltiz
ðɪs ˈfɔːwədˈlʊkɪŋ səˈluːʃən ɪz ˈɔːlsəʊ əˈpiːlɪŋ sɪns
ɪnˈkʌmpəs
ɪnˈtaɪə ˈkælɪndə jɪə
weərˈæz
ˈlɪmɪtɪd ɪn ðeə skəʊp
ˈgreɪtər ˈɪmpækt djuː tuː ðeə ˈfɑːˈriːʧɪŋ ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃənz
ˈmæsɪvli rɪˈdjuːs eə pəˈluːʃən
ˈhɑːmfʊl ˈgæsɪz ˈɪntuː ði ˈætməsfɪə ðæn ˈɛni ˈsɪŋgl ˈɪndəstri
fɔːs ˈməʊtərɪsts
ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv məʊdz ɒv ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃən
ˈhæbɪts
meɪ kənˈsɪdə ˈwɜːkɪŋ æt həʊm ɔː ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪzɪŋ ˈpʌblɪk ˈtrænspɔːt
ɪˈfɪʃənt
ˈwɪlɪŋli əˈbændən
ˈəʊvə taɪm
bɪˈgɪn tuː ʃɪft ˈmaɪndsɛts ɪn səˈsaɪəti
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəlz maɪt bɪˈkʌm lɛs əbˈsɛst wɪð kɑːr ˈəʊnəʃɪp æz ə ˈsɪmbəl ɒv wɛlθ ænd səkˈsɛs
stɑːt praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzɪŋ ɪˈfɪʃənsi ænd ə ˈkliːnər ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
eɪd ɪn
ɒn ˈsɜːtn deɪz
kənˈsɪdər ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪŋ ænd ɪksˈpændɪŋ ɪgˈzɪstɪŋ ˈpɒlɪsiz ðæt prəˈhɪbɪt ˈpraɪvɪt ˈviːɪklz
Vocabulary Practice
Many today feel that d_______________________________s are the o____________________________________________________s o_______________________n. In my opinion, d____________________________s, car-free days would be the best r________y.
C___________________e that governments could i__________________________________n. E_________________________s, the m________________s of air pollution are r_____________g, c_____________________________________g, and t________________n. If governments l___________________________________________s, there would be a c________________________________________________s. For instance, in many European nations, companies have l________________________________________s they can utilize in production and e_______________________________________________________________s. T_______________________________________________e it would e____________s the e________________r, w___________s car-free days are more l_________________e.
However, car-free days would have g_________________________________________s. Firstly, banning cars would m________________________________n figures since cars contribute more h_________________________________________________________y. Secondly, banning cars would f_________________s to find a____________________________________________n that might then become h_______s. A person who cannot drive to work once a week, m_____________________________________________________t. If they find these options more e_________t, then they may w___________________n using their car on other days. O_________e, this could b__________________________________y and i___________________________________________________________________________s and s__________________________________________________t.
In conclusion, though regulation of particular industries would also a_____n the reduction of air pollution, the banning of automobiles o_____________________s is the single best solution. Governments should c___________________________________________________________________s.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-car-free-day/
Speaking Practice
Environment
- How are environmental problems dealt with in your country?
- What can be done to make people recycle more often?
- What is the most pressing environmental problem?
- Is recycling a common practice in your country?
- Are governments or individuals more responsible?
Writing Practice
More and more people in developing countries are purchasing cars for the first time.
What problems does this cause?
What do you think are the possible solutions?
Is is okay not to mention the other side in the introduction? I mean you didn’t write that there is another group of peopel who suggest öther solutions to the problem. It kind of feels like you wrote your introduction as if it was agree/disagree essay type.
Mind you, this is not to criticize, but to clarify some confusing info I have been seeing on the web lately
It’s not totally necessary, Yerzat, but you are right – be on the safe side and include both in the intro for all topics – that’s the safest option!
Thanks for the great question!
Some people argue that car-free days are a workable measure to alleviate air pollution. However, others included myself, think this methide would not have a great impact on this alarming issue.
On the one hand, car-free days may lead people to use their cars less throughout the year. When authorities organize an event such as car-free days they mention the rationales behind the event and people become aware of the devastating effects of using private cars. Hence, they are more likely to restrict the use of their cars, so the lower fuel will be emitted into the air, and pollution of that will be decreased. But I strongly disagree with this idea because this may just reduce pollution on a specific day and cannot bring long-term impact because if it raises the awareness of individuals, they forget the issue as soon as going back to normal life.
on the other hand, many people, including me, believe that encouraging people to use public transportation by improving them is a vital way to reduce air pollution. individuals should be motivated to commute by public transportation instead of private cars. in most cases, public transportation produces lower per person emissions than private car travel. when people find bus, or subway more efficient willingly abandon using their own cars, so total emission will be decreased which helps reduce air pollution. For example, most of my co-workers used to utilize the private car to commute to work, but after the local government has built a subway station in our office neighborhood they all have been using the subway as their main means of commute. Furthermore, the government should encourage people to use electric cars. These vehicles are eco-friendly choices because the source of electricity comes from clean renewable sources which produce much lower greenhouse gas emissions than gas-powered vehicles. Hence, in this way air pollution will be decreased in a more effeicent way.
In conclusion, although car-free days may have a temporary impact on reducing air pollution, I believe encouraging people to commute by public transportation and use electric cars instead of Regular cars can be highly beneficial to air quality.
Hi dear Dave could you please give me some feedback. 3months from now I should take ilets exam and I must get 7 on writing skill in my previous exam I got 6.
Try to clean up some little grammar and vocabulary mistakes and not rely too much on linking phrases to start all your sentences, Hope!
Hi