This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of cyclists from the real exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Cyclists
Some experts say for road safety cyclists should pass a test before being allowed on public roads.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
There have been recent calls for mandatory tests for cyclists before they are permitted on public motorways. In my opinion, though this proposal must be managed properly it is advisable.
Detractors argue this reform is essentially a complex method of fixing a problem that does not exist. Riding a bike is a fairly simple skill that most people learn as children. It is unclear at what age such a test and license should be logistically required. The extra paperwork and bureaucracy would make it a negative for both cyclists and those charged with enforcing this law. If passed, there is also the strong likelihood that it would be tokenistic. Cyclists might be able to pass a basic written test and demonstrate the ability to ride a bike but that would not ensure they will actually be safe riders.
However, in my opinion, there exists a need since most cyclists are not particularly cognizant of the hierarchy of vehicles. In most cities, cyclists are considered a menace or an annoyance and increase the odds of accidents. Many cyclists feel they are essentially the same as cars and weave into traffic where cars and motorbikes traveling at faster speeds rightly belong. If there was better education and a law that required cyclists to learn unwritten rules of etiquette, this would greatly enhance road conditions for motorists and pedestrians. For instance, in certain European nations, cyclists must apply for licenses and this has created a culture where bicycles fit into the flow of traffic more seamlessly.
In conclusion, although there are significant practical hurdles, I believe requiring cyclists to apply for licenses addresses a key public road issue. Governments should therefore enact this or a similar regulation.
Analysis
1. There have been recent calls for mandatory tests for cyclists before they are permitted on public motorways. 2. In my opinion, though this proposal must be managed properly it is advisable.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Detractors argue this reform is essentially a complex method of fixing a problem that does not exist. 2. Riding a bike is a fairly simple skill that most people learn as children. 3. It is unclear at what age such a test and license should be logistically required. 4. The extra paperwork and bureaucracy would make it a negative for both cyclists and those charged with enforcing this law. 5. If passed, there is also the strong likelihood that it would be tokenistic. 6. Cyclists might be able to pass a basic written test and demonstrate the ability to ride a bike but that would not ensure they will actually be safe riders.
- 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.
- Finish development.
- Make sure you have dealt with all points in the topic.
1. However, in my opinion, there exists a need since most cyclists are not particularly cognizant of the hierarchy of vehicles. 2. In most cities, cyclists are considered a menace or an annoyance and increase the odds of accidents. 3. Many cyclists feel they are essentially the same as cars and weave into traffic where cars and motorbikes traveling at faster speeds rightly belong. 4. If there was better education and a law that required cyclists to learn unwritten rules of etiquette, this would greatly enhance road conditions for motorists and pedestrians. 5. For instance, in certain European nations, cyclists must apply for licenses and this has created a culture where bicycles fit into the flow of traffic more seamlessly.
- 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.
- Develop the example fully.
1. In conclusion, although there are significant practical hurdles, I believe requiring cyclists to apply for licenses addresses a key public road issue. 2. Governments should therefore enact this or a similar regulation.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
There have been recent calls for mandatory tests for cyclists before they are permitted on public motorways. In my opinion, though this proposal must be managed properly it is advisable.
Detractors argue this reform is essentially a complex method of fixing a problem that does not exist. Riding a bike is a fairly simple skill that most people learn as children. It is unclear at what age such a test and license should be logistically required. The extra paperwork and bureaucracy would make it a negative for both cyclists and those charged with enforcing this law. If passed, there is also the strong likelihood that it would be tokenistic. Cyclists might be able to pass a basic written test and demonstrate the ability to ride a bike but that would not ensure they will actually be safe riders.
However, in my opinion, there exists a need since most cyclists are not particularly cognizant of the hierarchy of vehicles. In most cities, cyclists are considered a menace or an annoyance and increase the odds of accidents. Many cyclists feel they are essentially the same as cars and weave into traffic where cars and motorbikes traveling at faster speeds rightly belong. If there was better education and a law that required cyclists to learn unwritten rules of etiquette, this would greatly enhance road conditions for motorists and pedestrians. For instance, in certain European nations, cyclists must apply for licenses and this has created a culture where bicycles fit into the flow of traffic more seamlessly.
In conclusion, although there are significant practical hurdles, I believe requiring cyclists to apply for licenses addresses a key public road issue. Governments should therefore enact this or a similar regulation.
Answers
recent calls people have been asking for now
mandatory tests required exams
cyclists people who ride bicycles
permitted allowed
public motorways roads and streets
proposal idea
managed properly dealt with well
advisable good idea
detractors argue people against this claim
reform change
essentially basically
complex method complicated way
fixing making better
exist be in the real world
fairly simple skill basic ability
unclear fuzzy
license permit
logistically pragmatically
extra paperwork more forms
bureaucracy government agencies processing papers, red tape
negative not positive
charged with enforcing must make sure the law is upheld
strong likelihood good chance
tokenistic not really effective
pass a basic written test get good enough marks on an exam
demonstrate show
ensure make sure of
safe riders good cyclists
exists is present
particularly cognizant definitely aware of
hierarchy of vehicles order of importance of cars, bikes, etc.
considered thought about
menace problem
annoyance something that annoys you
increase the odds of accidents there is a better chance of people being hurt
essentially basically
weave combine
traffic cars on the road
traveling at faster speeds going more quickly
rightly belong definitely should be there
unwritten rules of etiquette how to drive well and behave
greatly enhance road conditions make it better to drive
motorists people who drive
pedestrians people walking around
apply put in an application
culture how people behave together
fit into the flow of traffic more seamlessly blend better with other vehicles
significant practical hurdles big problems to overcome to make it work
addresses deals with
key public road issue crucial problem for driving
therefore enact thus put into place
regulation law
Pronunciation
ˈriːsnt kɔːlz
ˈmændətəri tɛsts
ˈsaɪklɪsts
pəˈmɪtɪd
ˈpʌblɪk ˈməʊtəˌweɪz
prəˈpəʊzəl
ˈmænɪʤd ˈprɒpəli
ədˈvaɪzəbl
dɪˈtræktəz ˈɑːgjuː
ˌriːˈfɔːm
ɪˈsɛnʃəli
ˈkɒmplɛks ˈmɛθəd
ˈfɪksɪŋ
ɪgˈzɪst
ˈfeəli ˈsɪmpl skɪl
ʌnˈklɪə
ˈlaɪsəns
ləʊˈʤɪstɪkəli
ˈɛkstrə ˈpeɪpəˌwɜːk
bjʊəˈrɒkrəsi
ˈnɛgətɪv
ʧɑːʤd wɪð ɪnˈfɔːsɪŋ
strɒŋ ˈlaɪklɪhʊd
ˈtəʊkənɪstɪk
pɑːs ə ˈbeɪsɪk ˈrɪtn tɛst
ˈdɛmənstreɪt
ɪnˈʃʊə
seɪf ˈraɪdəz
ɪgˈzɪsts
pəˈtɪkjʊləli ˈkɒgnɪzənt
ˈhaɪərɑːki ɒv ˈviːɪklz
kənˈsɪdəd
ˈmɛnəs
əˈnɔɪəns
ˈɪnkriːs ði ɒdz ɒv ˈæksɪdənts
ɪˈsɛnʃəli
wiːv
ˈtræfɪk
ˈtrævlɪŋ æt ˈfɑːstə spiːdz
ˈraɪtli bɪˈlɒŋ
ʌnˈrɪtn ruːlz ɒv ˈɛtɪkɛt
ˈgreɪtli ɪnˈhɑːns rəʊd kənˈdɪʃənz
ˈməʊtərɪsts
pɪˈdɛstrɪənz
əˈplaɪ
ˈkʌlʧə
fɪt ˈɪntuː ðə fləʊ ɒv ˈtræfɪk mɔː ˈsiːmlɪsli
sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˈpræktɪkəl ˈhɜːdlz
əˈdrɛsɪz
kiː ˈpʌblɪk rəʊd ˈɪʃuː
ˈðeəfɔːr ɪˈnækt
ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃən
Vocabulary Practice
There have been r_____________s for m___________________s for c_________s before they are p_____________d on p_______________s. In my opinion, though this p_____________l must be m___________________y it is a________e.
D___________________e this r______m is e_____________y a c________________d of f_________g a problem that does not e______t. Riding a bike is a f___________________l that most people learn as children. It is u________r at what age such a test and l________e should be l____________y required. The e____________________k and b______________y would make it a n_______e for both cyclists and those c_________________________g this law. If passed, there is also the s_________________________d that it would be t_____________c. Cyclists might be able to p__________________________t and d_________________e the ability to ride a bike but that would not e________e they will actually be s___________s.
However, in my opinion, there e______s a need since most cyclists are not p_______________________t of the h_____________________s. In most cities, cyclists are c___________d a m_________e or an a____________e and i____________________________________s. Many cyclists feel they are e____________y the same as cars and w_______e into t________c where cars and motorbikes t____________________________s r_______________g. If there was better education and a law that required cyclists to learn u_____________________e, this would g__________________________s for m__________s and p___________s. For instance, in certain European nations, cyclists must a______y for licenses and this has created a c_________e where bicycles f________________________________________y.
In conclusion, although there are s_________________________s, I believe requiring cyclists to apply for licenses a________s a k_____________________e. Governments should t__________________t this or a similar r______________n.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
https://www.wired.com/story/most-bike-friendly-cities-2019-copenhagenize-design-index/
Speaking Practice
Cycling
- Do you own a bicycle?
- When was the last time you went cycling?
- Is cycling dangerous in your country?
- Would you ever take a long cycling trip?
Writing Practice
Some people say that the bicycles are a good, modern means of transportation. Other say riding a bicycle has clear disadvantages.
Discuss both view points and give your own opinion.
Good efforts