Here is my newest IELTS EBook, featuring the topic of assimilation – which is available only on my Patreon.com/howtodoielts.
The topic for this EBook is:
Some feel that individuals should try to assimilate completely to the country where they live while others feel it is more important to preserve their native culture.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
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This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of traditional festivals from the real IELTS exam.
Be sure to sign up for my full IELTS EBooks here to support my efforts to keep writing these essays for students:
Dave
In some parts of the world traditional festivals and celebrations have disappeared or are disappearing.
What problems is this causing?
What measures could be taken to counter this situation?
Around the world, many traditional festivals these days are at risk of becoming outdated and irrelevant. In my opinion, this contributes to issues concerning cultural disintegration and should be countered by citizens in concert with governments.
The main issues resulting from abandoning traditional festivals concern culture. More commercial holidays such as Black Friday and Christmas are gaining in popularity which naturally threatens smaller cultural groups and their festivals. For example, in China there are numerous ethnic groups living in remote areas that struggle to preserve their traditions over time as locals learn more about the outside world and leave their hometowns. As these groups disperse further both physically and virtually it will be a challenge for old traditions to persist and the results may impact the stories they hand down through generations, their language, traditional dishes and other aspects of culture.
The optimal remedies for the weakening of traditional cultures are for governments and individuals to actively encourage traditional festivals. Governments can make the greatest difference. For instance, states could fund organizations that aim to promote traditional festivals by staging local events and reaching out to older members of the community. Younger people could likewise attempt to engage more with their roots and connect with the sources of their culture. This occurs to some extent already when traditional festivals are advertised on social media to bring in a wider audience and greater attention.
In conclusion, the loss of traditional festivals is a boon to globalization and injures the cultural identity of various groups. This development must be confronted by locals of their own individual initiative and encouraged by governments.
1. Around the world, many traditional festivals these days are at risk of becoming outdated and irrelevant. 2. In my opinion, this contributes to issues concerning cultural disintegration and should be countered by citizens in concert with governments.
1. The main issues resulting from abandoning traditional festivals concern culture. 2. More commercial holidays such as Black Friday and Christmas are gaining in popularity which naturally threatens smaller cultural groups and their festivals. 3. For example, in China there are numerous ethnic groups living in remote areas that struggle to preserve their traditions over time as locals learn more about the outside world and leave their hometowns. 4. As these groups disperse further both physically and virtually it will be a challenge for old traditions to persist and the results may impact the stories they hand down through generations, their language, traditional dishes and other aspects of culture.
1. The optimal remedies for the weakening of traditional cultures are for governments and individuals to actively encourage traditional festivals. 2. Governments can make the greatest difference. 3. For instance, states could fund organizations that aim to promote traditional festivals by staging local events and reaching out to older members of the community. 4. Younger people could likewise attempt to engage more with their roots and connect with the sources of their culture. 5. This occurs to some extent already when traditional festivals are advertised on social media to bring in a wider audience and greater attention.
1. In conclusion, the loss of traditional festivals is a boon to globalization and injures the cultural identity of various groups. 2. This development must be confronted by locals of their own individual initiative and encouraged by governments.
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Around the world, many traditional festivals these days are at risk of becoming outdated and irrelevant. In my opinion, this contributes to issues concerning cultural disintegration and should be countered by citizens in concert with governments.
The main issues resulting from abandoning traditional festivals concern culture. More commercial holidays such as Black Friday and Christmas are gaining in popularity which naturally threatens smaller cultural groups and their festivals. For example, in China there are numerous ethnic groups living in remote areas that struggle to preserve their traditions over time as locals learn more about the outside world and leave their hometowns. As these groups disperse further both physically and virtually it will be a challenge for old traditions to persist and the results may impact the stories they hand down through generations, their language, traditional dishes and other aspects of culture.
The optimal remedies for the weakening of traditional cultures are for governments and individuals to actively encourage traditional festivals. Governments can make the greatest difference. For instance, states could fund organizations that aim to promote traditional festivals by staging local events and reaching out to older members of the community. Younger people could likewise attempt to engage more with their roots and connect with the sources of their culture. This occurs to some extent already when traditional festivals are advertised on social media to bring in a wider audience and greater attention.
In conclusion, the loss of traditional festivals is a boon to globalization and injures the cultural identity of various groups. This development must be confronted by locals of their own individual initiative and encouraged by governments.
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
Around the world globally
traditional festivals cultural celebrations
at risk of becoming outdated and irrelevant might start to be forgotten
contributes adds to
issues concerning cultural disintegration problems relating to cultures being lost
countered remedied
citizens in concert with governments people working together with the state
resulting from abandoning traditional festivals concern culture caused by not celebrating older festivals relate to tradition
commercial holidays festivals mainly concerned with making money
Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving when there are many sales
Christmas the holiday about the birth of Jesus
naturally threatens smaller cultural groups of course cause problems for minorities
numerous ethnic groups living in remote areas smaller cultural groups in less populated areas
struggle have difficulty
preserve keep alive
outside world the rest of the world
leave their hometowns move away
As these groups disperse further both physically and virtually when these peoples move to new places or learn more about the world
persist continue
impact effect
hand down through generations teach their children, grandchildren
traditional dishes older cuisines
aspects of culture related to culture
optimal remedies best fixes
weakening not getting stronger
actively encourage traditional festivals go out of their way to help older celebrations
make the greatest difference have the biggest impact
fund organizations give money to groups
aim try to
promote encourage
staging local events putting on celebrations
reaching out to older members of the community talking to one’s elders
likewise attempt to engage more with their roots similarly try to learn more about tradition
connect with the sources of get back into contact with the origins of
to some extent already to a degree
advertised marketed
social media Facebook, Instagram, etc.
bring in a wider audience and greater attention make more people notice it
loss disappearance
boon good for
globalization everyone around the world connecting
injures the cultural identity of various groups harms how groups of people see themselves
confronted by fought by
initiative efforts
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
əˈraʊnd ðə wɜːld,
trəˈdɪʃənl ˈfɛstəvəlz
æt rɪsk ɒv bɪˈkʌmɪŋ aʊtˈdeɪtɪd ænd ɪˈrɛlɪvənt
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)ts
ˈɪʃuːz kənˈsɜːnɪŋ ˈkʌlʧərəl dɪsˌɪntɪˈgreɪʃən
ˈkaʊntəd
ˈsɪtɪznz ɪn ˈkɒnsə(ː)t wɪð ˈgʌvnmənts
rɪˈzʌltɪŋ frɒm əˈbændənɪŋ trəˈdɪʃənl ˈfɛstəvəlz kənˈsɜːn ˈkʌlʧə
kəˈmɜːʃəl ˈhɒlədeɪz
blæk ˈfraɪdeɪ
ˈkrɪsməs
ˈnæʧrəli ˈθrɛtnz ˈsmɔːlə ˈkʌlʧərəl gruːps
ˈnjuːmərəs ˈɛθnɪk gruːps ˈlɪvɪŋ ɪn rɪˈməʊt ˈeərɪəz
ˈstrʌgl
prɪˈzɜːv tiː
ˌaʊtˈsaɪd wɜːld
liːv ðeə ˈhəʊmˈtaʊnz
æz ðiːz gruːps dɪsˈpɜːs ˈfɜːðə bəʊθ ˈfɪzɪkəli ænd ˈvɜːtjʊəli
pəˈsɪst
ˈɪmpækt
hænd daʊn θruː ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃənz
trəˈdɪʃənl ˈdɪʃɪz
ˈæspɛkts ɒv ˈkʌlʧə
ˈɒptɪməl ˈrɛmɪdiz
ˈwiːkənɪŋ
ˈæktɪvli ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ trəˈdɪʃənl ˈfɛstəvəlz
meɪk ðə ˈgreɪtɪst ˈdɪfrəns
fʌnd ˌɔːgənaɪˈzeɪʃənz
eɪm
prəˈməʊt
ˈsteɪʤɪŋ ˈləʊkəl ɪˈvɛnts
ˈriːʧɪŋ aʊt tuː ˈəʊldə ˈmɛmbəz ɒv ðə kəˈmjuːnɪti
ˈlaɪkwaɪz əˈtɛmpt tuː ɪnˈgeɪʤ mɔː wɪð ðeə ruːts
kəˈnɛkt wɪð ðə ˈsɔːsɪz ɒv
tuː sʌm ɪksˈtɛnt ɔːlˈrɛdi
ˈædvətaɪzd
ˈsəʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə
brɪŋ ɪn ə ˈwaɪdər ˈɔːdiəns ænd ˈgreɪtər əˈtɛnʃ(ə)n
lɒs
buːn
ˌgləʊb(ə)laɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n
ˈɪnʤəz ðə ˈkʌlʧərəl aɪˈdɛntɪti ɒv ˈveərɪəs gruːps
kənˈfrʌntɪd baɪ
ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv
A__________________________d, many t______________________s these days are a__________________________________________________t. In my opinion, this c_____________s to i__________________________________________n and should be c____________d by c_________________________________s.
The main issues r_________________________________________________________e. More c_____________________s such as B_________________y and C____________s are gaining in popularity which n_______________________________________________s and their festivals. For example, in China there are n____________________________________________________s that s__________e to p____________e their traditions over time as locals learn more about the o________________d and l___________________s. A________________________________________________________y it will be a challenge for old traditions to p_________t and the results may i________t the stories they h__________________________________________s, their language, t____________________s and other a___________________e.
The o____________________s for the w______________g of traditional cultures are for governments and individuals to a_____________________________________________s. Governments can m______________________________e. For instance, states could f_____________________s that a__m to p________________e traditional festivals by s____________________________s and r_______________________________________________y. Younger people could l__________________________________________s and c________________________________f their culture. This occurs t_____________________________y when traditional festivals are a____________d on s________________a to b_______________________________________________n.
In conclusion, the l___s of traditional festivals is a b____n to g________________n and i___________________________________________s. This development must be c___________________y locals of their own individual i____________e and encouraged by governments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrrW3rO51ak
https://worldexpeditions.com/blog/cultural-festivals-around-the-world
Some people say that it is possible to tell a lot about a person’s culture and character from their choice of clothes.
Do you agree or disagree?
https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-essay-clothes-culture-character/
Check out some of my speaking sample answers for free on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@howtodoielts
The candidate is around band 6.5/7.
I also go through the corrections with the student – I hope you find it useful!
Dave
This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of advanced technology and the elderly from the real IELTS exam.
Advanced technology has brought many beneficial changes to the world. However, some old people today struggle with the use of technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet.
How can the elderly benefit from using advanced technologies?
How can the elderly be encouraged to use consumer electronics more often?
Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders a more convenient life. This improvement would be immediately evident when shopping online. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic many older individuals first learned how to place orders for food and other necessities online. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased, many now continue to use these applications to shop for the best prices, remain at home, and be assured of the quality of their purchases. Moreover, smartphones in particular today are essential for remaining in contact with one’s family. Most older people value family relations above all else and would be able to make video calls and message their children and grandchildren if they were more tech-savvy.
In order to achieve this level of convenience, companies should continue to encourage customers to engage online. Older individuals will not be convinced simply by the benefits of technology as many may be stubborn. The Coronavirus pandemic is again an illustrative example as it demonstrated that only when forced to adapt did older people begin to learn the full functionality of their phones. Companies today are already increasingly emphasizing online orders and by phasing out in-person discounts and physical stores they will compel the elderly to adapt to modern conveniences. For instance, hopeful travelers must essentially learn to navigate an airline’s website to book flights these days.
In conclusion, older people can lead easier lives if they utilize developments in technology that companies have already begun to embrace. Naturally, children should also help educate their older parents about these benefits.
1. Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders a more convenient life. 2. This improvement would be immediately evident when shopping online. 3. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic many older individuals first learned how to place orders for food and other necessities online. 4. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased, many now continue to use these applications to shop for the best prices, remain at home, and be assured of the quality of their purchases. 5. Moreover, smartphones in particular today are essential for remaining in contact with one’s family. 6. Most older people value family relations above all else and would be able to make video calls and message their children and grandchildren if they were more tech-savvy.
1. In order to achieve this level of convenience, companies should continue to encourage customers to engage online. 2. Older individuals will not be convinced simply by the benefits of technology as many may be stubborn. 3. The Coronavirus pandemic is again an illustrative example as it demonstrated that only when forced to adapt did older people begin to learn the full functionality of their phones. 4. Companies today are already increasingly emphasizing online orders and by phasing out in-person discounts and physical stores they will compel the elderly to adapt to modern conveniences. 5. For instance, hopeful travelers must essentially learn to navigate an airline’s website to book flights these days.
1. In conclusion, older people can lead easier lives if they utilize developments in technology that companies have already begun to embrace. 2. Naturally, children should also help educate their older parents about these benefits.
Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders a more convenient life. This improvement would be immediately evident when shopping online. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic many older individuals first learned how to place orders for food and other necessities online. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased, many now continue to use these applications to shop for the best prices, remain at home, and be assured of the quality of their purchases. Moreover, smartphones in particular today are essential for remaining in contact with one’s family. Most older people value family relations above all else and would be able to make video calls and message their children and grandchildren if they were more tech-savvy.
In order to achieve this level of convenience, companies should continue to encourage customers to engage online. Older individuals will not be convinced simply by the benefits of technology as many may be stubborn. The Coronavirus pandemic is again an illustrative example as it demonstrated that only when forced to adapt did older people begin to learn the full functionality of their phones. Companies today are already increasingly emphasizing online orders and by phasing out in-person discounts and physical stores they will compel the elderly to adapt to modern conveniences. For instance, hopeful travelers must essentially learn to navigate an airline’s website to book flights these days.
In conclusion, older people can lead easier lives if they utilize developments in technology that companies have already begun to embrace. Naturally, children should also help educate their older parents about these benefits.
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders better ability to use phones allows for
improvement getting better
immediately evident clear right away
shopping buying things
During the recent Covid-19 pandemic when the Covid-19 stuff was happening
how to place orders for the way to order online
necessities daily life items
Since the pandemic restrictions have eased as Covid-19 becomes less of an issue
applications apps such as Google Drive, Amazon, etc.
best prices cheapest items
remain at home stay in their house
assured of the quality of their purchases know that the items they buy are good
in particular today especially these days
essential very valuable
remaining in contact with one’s family talking to family members
value family relations above all else care most about their brothers, sisters, kids, parents, etc.
make video calls using Facetime or Messenger
message send texts to
if they were more tech-savvy if better with technology
In order to achieve this level of convenience so that they live easier lives
encourage customers to engage online force people to use the internet
convinced persuaded
stubborn unwilling to change their mind
Coronavirus pandemic Covid-19 situation
illustrative example as it demonstrated good instance because it showed
only when forced to adapt did older people just when they had to did they make changes
full functionality how something is used
increasingly emphasizing more and more focusing on
phasing out in-person discounts not using coupons in real life
physical stores actual locations
compel force
adapt to modern conveniences start using new things
hopeful travelers people who want to go somewhere
essentially basically
navigate an airline’s website use the site for an airline like Delta
book flights arrange to fly somewhere
can lead easier lives have a more convenient time
utilize take advantage of
embrace care about
Naturally of course
educate teach
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ədˈvɑːnsɪz meɪd ɪn ðə fiːld ɒv tɛkˈnɒləʤi
nɒt ʃeəd ˈiːkwəli baɪ ɔːl eɪʤ ˌdɛməˈgræfɪks
ɪn pəˈtɪkjʊlə
ˈbɛnɪfɪt
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv kənˈviːniəns
kʊd biː əˈʧiːvd baɪ ˈbɪznɪsɪz trænˈzɪʃ(ə)nɪŋ tuː ˈpraɪmərɪli ˈɒnˌlaɪn ˈbɪznɪs ˈmɒdlz
ɪmˈpruːvd ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti wɪð kənˈsjuːmər ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪks ɪnˈʤɛndəz
ɪmˈpruːvmənt
ɪˈmiːdiətli ˈɛvɪdənt
ˈʃɒpɪŋ
ˈdjʊərɪŋ ðə ˈriːsnt ˈkəʊvɪd–nainti:npænˈdɛmɪk
haʊ tuː pleɪs ˈɔːdəz fɔː
nɪˈsɛsɪtiz
sɪns ðə pænˈdɛmɪk rɪsˈtrɪkʃənz hæv iːzd
ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)nz
bɛst ˈpraɪsɪz
rɪˈmeɪn æt həʊm
əˈʃʊəd ɒv ðə ˈkwɒlɪti ɒv ðeə ˈpɜːʧəsɪz
ɪn pəˈtɪkjʊlə təˈdeɪ
ɪˈsɛnʃəl
rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ ɪn ˈkɒntækt wɪð wʌnz ˈfæmɪli
ˈvæljuː ˈfæmɪli rɪˈleɪʃənz əˈbʌv ɔːl ɛls
meɪk ˈvɪdɪəʊ kɔːlz
ˈmɛsɪʤ
ɪf ðeɪ wɜː mɔː tɛk-ˈsævi
ɪn ˈɔːdə tuː əˈʧiːv ðɪs ˈlɛvl ɒv kənˈviːniəns
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ ˈkʌstəməz tuː ɪnˈgeɪʤ ˈɒnˌlaɪn
kənˈvɪnst
ˈstʌbən
kəˈrəʊnəˌvaɪrəs pænˈdɛmɪk
ˈɪləstreɪtɪv ɪgˈzɑːmpl æz ɪt ˈdɛmənstreɪtɪd
ˈəʊnli wɛn fɔːst tuː əˈdæpt dɪd ˈəʊldə ˈpiːpl
fʊl ˌfʌŋkʃəˈnælɪti
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈɛmfəsaɪzɪŋ
ˈfeɪzɪŋ aʊt ɪn-ˈpɜːsn ˈdɪskaʊnts
ˈfɪzɪkəl stɔːz
kəmˈpɛl
əˈdæpt tuː ˈmɒdən kənˈviːniənsɪz
ˈhəʊpfʊl ˈtrævləz
ɪˈsɛnʃəli
ˈnævɪgeɪt ən ˈeəlaɪnz ˈwɛbˌsaɪt
bʊk flaɪts
kæn liːd ˈiːzɪə lɪvz
ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz
ɪmˈbreɪs
ˈnæʧrəli
ˈɛʤu(ː)keɪt
I_________________________________________s a more convenient life. This i___________________t would be i_____________________t when s__________g online. D_____________________________c many older individuals first learned h______________________________r food and other n____________s online. S____________________________d, many now continue to use these a___________________s to shop for the b____________s, r_____________e, and be a_____________________________________s. Moreover, smartphones i____________________y are e__________l for r____________________________________y. Most older people v___________________________e and would be able to m____________________s and m_________e their children and grandchildren i_________________________y.
I__________________________________________e, companies should continue to e_____________________________________e. Older individuals will not be c_____________d simply by the benefits of technology as many may be s_________n. The C____________________c is again an i________________________________d that o_________________________________e begin to learn the f_________________y of their phones. Companies today are already i____________________g online orders and by p__________________________s and p_______________s they will c___________l the elderly to a____________________s. For instance, h_________________s must e____________y learn to n__________________________e to b____________s these days.
In conclusion, older people c____________________s if they u__________e developments in technology that companies have already begun to e___________e. N__________y, children should also help e__________e their older parents about these benefits.
Many people who care for the elderly do not have enough time to look after them.
What are the problems related to this?
What are some possible solutions?
This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of urban infrastructure from the general training exam.
Be sure to sign up for my full IELTS EBooks here to support my efforts to keep writing these essays for students:
Dave
Some believe that traffic problems in cities can best be resolved by investing in urban infrastructure while others feel there are superior solutions.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Many policymakers feel that the optimal counter to traffic issues in urban areas is increased funding for infrastructure. In my opinion, though this funding may have a marginal effect, there are other, potentially more impactful, regulations.
Supporters of investment in infrastructure contend it is a direct and pragmatic solution. As cities become larger, they face inevitable traffic problems caused by overcrowding and deteriorating roads. Improving the existing infrastructure can include repaving these roads to reduce accidents and slow driving, building additional public transportation lines for subways, creating biking lanes, widening streets, constructing overpasses, and so on. Combined, the theoretical result of these changes will be an alleviation of current strain on transport systems. However, in practice, in large cities such as New York City, rarely produce any actual difference in traffic conditions as they cannot keep pace with growing populations.
Instead, governments must consider more drastic policies. The first such reform would be to ban or severely limit the use of private vehicles. A good example of this would be in certain European cities that have enacted single day bans or raised taxes on automobile purchases. Since cars occupy the majority of the space on roads, while often only transporting one or two individuals, they are the least efficient and slowest modes of travel. Secondly, governments can subtly shift housing policies to engender dramatic effects. Instead of allowing cities to build upwards, through skyscrapers and tall apartment buildings, they can limit the number of floors on buildings to encourage a more horizontal cityscape. The result of this would be to spread out workplaces and lower congestion levels generally.
In conclusion, there is little doubt that improved infrastructure could alleviate traffic congestion in cities to an extent; however, the best remedy is to pass laws concerning private vehicles and housing. Governments should implement these long-term policies over short-term fixes.
1. Many policymakers feel that the optimal counter to traffic issues in urban areas is increased funding for infrastructure. 2. In my opinion, though this funding may have a marginal effect, there are other, potentially more impactful, regulations.
1. Supporters of investment in infrastructure contend it is a direct and pragmatic solution. 2. As cities become larger, they face inevitable traffic problems caused by overcrowding and deteriorating roads. 3. Improving the existing infrastructure can include repaving these roads to reduce accidents and slow driving, building additional public transportation lines for subways, creating biking lanes, widening streets, constructing overpasses, and so on. 4. Combined, the theoretical result of these changes will be an alleviation of current strain on transport systems. 5. However, in practice, in large cities such as New York City, rarely produce any actual difference in traffic conditions as they cannot keep pace with growing populations.
1. Instead, governments must consider more drastic policies. 2. The first such reform would be to ban or severely limit the use of private vehicles. 3. A good example of this would be in certain European cities that have enacted single day bans or raised taxes on automobile purchases. 4. Since cars occupy the majority of the space on roads, while often only transporting one or two individuals, they are the least efficient and slowest modes of travel. Secondly, governments can subtly shift housing policies to engender dramatic effects. 5. Instead of allowing cities to build upwards, through skyscrapers and tall apartment buildings, they can limit the number of floors on buildings to encourage a more horizontal cityscape. 6. The result of this would be to spread out workplaces and lower congestion levels generally.
1. In conclusion, there is little doubt that improved infrastructure could alleviate traffic congestion in cities to an extent; however, the best remedy is to pass laws concerning private vehicles and housing. 2. Governments should implement these long-term policies over short-term fixes.
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many policymakers feel that the optimal counter to traffic issues in urban areas is increased funding for infrastructure. In my opinion, though this funding may have a marginal effect, there are other, potentially more impactful, regulations.
Supporters of investment in infrastructure contend it is a direct and pragmatic solution. As cities become larger, they face inevitable traffic problems caused by overcrowding and deteriorating roads. Improving the existing infrastructure can include repaving these roads to reduce accidents and slow driving, building additional public transportation lines for subways, creating biking lanes, widening streets, constructing overpasses, and so on. Combined, the theoretical result of these changes will be an alleviation of current strain on transport systems. However, in practice, in large cities such as New York City, rarely produce any actual difference in traffic conditions as they cannot keep pace with growing populations.
Instead, governments must consider more drastic policies. The first such reform would be to ban or severely limit the use of private vehicles. A good example of this would be in certain European cities that have enacted single day bans or raised taxes on automobile purchases. Since cars occupy the majority of the space on roads, while often only transporting one or two individuals, they are the least efficient and slowest modes of travel. Secondly, governments can subtly shift housing policies to engender dramatic effects. Instead of allowing cities to build upwards, through skyscrapers and tall apartment buildings, they can limit the number of floors on buildings to encourage a more horizontal cityscape. The result of this would be to spread out workplaces and lower congestion levels generally.
In conclusion, there is little doubt that improved infrastructure could alleviate traffic congestion in cities to an extent; however, the best remedy is to pass laws concerning private vehicles and housing. Governments should implement these long-term policies over short-term fixes.
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
policymakers politicians, the authorities
optimal counter best solution
traffic issues problems related to too many cars
urban areas cities
increased funding for infrastructure more money for buildings
marginal effect small impact
potentially more impactful possibly greater effect
regulations rules and laws
Supporters of investment in people in favor of funding
contend argue
direct straightforward
pragmatic useful
face inevitable traffic problems caused by overcrowding and deteriorating roads have to deal with issues from too many people and streets getting old
Improving the existing infrastructure fixing roads now
repaving putting down new pavement
reduce accidents fewer crashes
slow driving not going fast
building additional public transportation lines for subways adding on metro routes
creating biking lanes making space for bikes to ride
widening increasing
overpasses roads going over other ones
Combined in the aggregate
theoretical result what could happen
alleviation fixing
current strain on transport systems pressure on roads, transport, etc.
in practice in reality
rarely produce doesn’t often happen
actual difference in traffic conditions real change for traffic
keep pace with growing populations match the growth of people living there
Instead rather than
drastic policies strong laws
reform change
ban prohibit
severely limit really contain/stop
private vehicles cars
enacted single day bans or raised taxes on automobile purchases create laws where you can’t drive one day or make cars more expensive
occupy take up space
majority most of
least efficient wastes time and energy
slowest modes of travel not the fastest ways to go
subtly shift housing policies slightly change how much it costs
engender dramatic effects create a big impact
build upwards construct tall apartment buildings
skyscrapers tall buildings
limit contain
encourage a more horizontal cityscape make the city more spread out
spread out workplaces
lower less than
generally overall
there is little doubt that few would question
alleviate fix
congestion traffic
to an extent to some degree
best remedy optimal fix
pass laws concerning private vehicles and housing make rules related to cars and real estate
implement put in place
long-term policies over short-term fixes think about the future, not just now
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
dɪsˈkʌs bəʊθ saɪdz ænd gɪv jɔːr əʊn əˈpɪnjən
ˈpɒlɪsi ˈmeɪkəz
ˈɒptɪməl ˈkaʊntə
ˈtræfɪk ˈɪʃuːz
ˈɜːbən ˈeərɪəz
ɪnˈkriːst ˈfʌndɪŋ fɔːr ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə
ˈmɑːʤɪnəl ɪˈfɛkt
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli mɔːr ˈɪmpæktf(ə)l
ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
səˈpɔːtəz ɒv ɪnˈvɛstmənt ɪn
kənˈtɛnd
dɪˈrɛkt
prægˈmætɪk
feɪs ɪnˈɛvɪtəbl ˈtræfɪk ˈprɒbləmz kɔːzd baɪ ˌəʊvəˈkraʊdɪŋ ænd dɪˈtɪərɪəreɪtɪŋ rəʊdz
ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ ði ɪgˈzɪstɪŋ ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə
ˌriːˈpeɪvɪŋ
rɪˈdjuːs ˈæksɪdənts
sləʊ ˈdraɪvɪŋ
ˈbɪldɪŋ əˈdɪʃənl ˈpʌblɪk ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃən laɪnz fɔː ˈsʌbweɪz
kri(ː)ˈeɪtɪŋ ˈbaɪkɪŋ leɪnz
ˈwaɪdnɪŋ
ˈəʊvəpɑːsɪz
kəmˈbaɪnd
θɪəˈrɛtɪkəl rɪˈzʌlt
əˌliːvɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n
ˈkʌrənt streɪn ɒn ˈtrænspɔːt ˈsɪstɪmz
ɪn ˈpræktɪs
ˈreəli ˈprɒdjuːs
ˈækʧʊəl ˈdɪfrəns ɪn ˈtræfɪk kənˈdɪʃənz
kiːp peɪs wɪð ˈgrəʊɪŋ ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃənz
ɪnˈstɛd
ˈdræstɪk ˈpɒlɪsiz
ˌriːˈfɔːm
bæn
sɪˈvɪəli ˈlɪmɪt
ˈpraɪvɪt ˈviːɪklz
ɪˈnæktɪd ˈsɪŋgl deɪ bænz ɔː reɪzd ˈtæksɪz ɒn ˈɔːtəməʊbiːl ˈpɜːʧəsɪz
ˈɒkjʊpaɪ
məˈʤɒrɪti
liːst ɪˈfɪʃənt
ˈsləʊɪst məʊdz ɒv ˈtrævl
ˈsʌtli ʃɪft ˈhaʊzɪŋ ˈpɒlɪsiz
ɪnˈʤɛndə drəˈmætɪk ɪˈfɛkts
bɪld ˈʌpwədz
ˈskaɪˌskreɪpəz
ˈlɪmɪt
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ ə mɔː ˌhɒrɪˈzɒntl ˈsɪti skeɪp
sprɛd aʊt ˈwɜːkˌpleɪsɪz
ˈləʊə
ˈʤɛnərəli
ðeər ɪz ˈlɪtl daʊt ðæt
əˈliːvɪeɪt
kənˈʤɛsʧən
tuː ən ɪksˈtɛnt
bɛst ˈrɛmɪdi
pɑːs lɔːz kənˈsɜːnɪŋ ˈpraɪvɪt ˈviːɪklz ænd ˈhaʊzɪŋ
ˈɪmplɪmənt
ˈlɒŋtɜːm ˈpɒlɪsiz ˈəʊvə ʃɔːt-tɜːm ˈfɪksɪz
Many p___________s feel that the o__________________r to t________________s in u___________s is i_________________________________e. In my opinion, though this funding may have a m____________t, there are other, p_______________________________l, r___________s.
S_____________________________n infrastructure c_________d it is a d_______t and p_____________c solution. As cities become larger, they f_________________________________________________________________s. I_______________________________e can include r____________g these roads to r________________s and s___________g, b____________________________________________________________________s, c______________________s, w________g streets, constructing o______________s, and so on. C____________d, the t__________________________t of these changes will be an a__________________n of c________________________________________s. However, i_____________e, in large cities such as New York City, r_________________e any a______________________________________s as they cannot k______________________________________s.
I__________d, governments must consider more d_____________________s. The first such r_______m would be to b__n or s_______________t the use of p______________s. A good example of this would be in certain European cities that have e__________________________________________________s. Since cars o_______y the m________y of the space on roads, while often only transporting one or two individuals, they are the l_______________t and s__________________________l. Secondly, governments can s________________________s to e___________________________s. Instead of allowing cities to b_____________s, through s___________s and tall apartment buildings, they can l______t the number of floors on buildings to e___________________________________e. The result of this would be to s__________________________s and l_______r congestion levels g_____________y.
In conclusion, t___________________t improved infrastructure could a___________e traffic c___________n in cities t___________t; however, the b_____________y is to p________________________________________________g. Governments should i____________t these l____________________________________________s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NenDzgLTxEU
https://www.planetware.com/world/top-cities-in-the-world-to-visit-eng-1-39.htm
Some people think the main purpose of school is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?