This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of traveling in a city by care or bicycle from the real exam.
IELTS General Training Essay: Traveling in a City
Some people believe that in a city, the best way to travel is by car, while other people argue that bicycles are a better way of travelling in a city.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
While some argue that cars are the superior solution for urban travel, others firmly believe that bicycles are preferrable. In my opinion, although cars are convenient in certain circumstances, bicycles are by far a better option due to their flexibility.
Cars are undeniably useful in particular instances. Firstly, they provide convenience and comfort, especially during adverse weather conditions or when carrying heavy loads. Individuals commuting to work or transporting groceries are likely to find cars more practical and efficient. During these trips cars also offer greater privacy by allowing commuters to enjoy personal space and listen to their preferred music or podcasts during the journey. If a person is making a longer journey or lives in an area where the weather is often inhospitable, then traveling by car is essentially a necessity. Those who suffer from medical conditions that prevent the use of a bicycles will require a private vehicle to an even greater extent.
However, the overriding concern in most urban areas today is traffic congestion. Cars, although comfortable for individual commuters, contribute to increased traffic volume and gridlock. These long traffic queues not only waste valuable time but also result in heightened stress levels among drivers and potentially can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions. Relatedly, cars require ample parking space, which poses a significant challenge in densely populated cities. The scarcity of parking spots often leads to illegal parking and traffic violations, contributing to congestion problems. Bicycles, in contrast, not only offer health benefits by promoting physical activity, but also greatly reduce traffic issues due to their flexibility on streets and the relative ease of parking.
In conclusion, despite the minor conveniences engendered by cars, bicycles make city life more livable generally. By prioritizing cycling infrastructure and promoting a cycling culture, cities can create a greener, healthier, and more efficient urban environment for all residents.
Analysis
1. While some argue that cars are the superior solution for urban travel, others firmly believe that bicycles are preferrable. 2. In my opinion, although cars are convenient in certain circumstances, bicycles are by far a better option due to their flexibility.
1. Cars are undeniably useful in particular instances. 2. Firstly, they provide convenience and comfort, especially during adverse weather conditions or when carrying heavy loads. 3. Individuals commuting to work or transporting groceries are likely to find cars more practical and efficient. 4. During these trips cars also offer greater privacy by allowing commuters to enjoy personal space and listen to their preferred music or podcasts during the journey. 5. If a person is making a longer journey or lives in an area where the weather is often inhospitable, then traveling by car is essentially a necessity. 6. Those who suffer from medical conditions that prevent the use of a bicycles will require a private vehicle to an even greater extent.
1. However, the overriding concern in most urban areas today is traffic congestion. 2. Cars, although comfortable for individual commuters, contribute to increased traffic volume and gridlock. 3. These long traffic queues not only waste valuable time but also result in heightened stress levels among drivers and potentially can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions. 4. Relatedly, cars require ample parking space, which poses a significant challenge in densely populated cities. 5. The scarcity of parking spots often leads to illegal parking and traffic violations, contributing to congestion problems. 6. Bicycles, in contrast, not only offer health benefits by promoting physical activity, but also greatly reduce traffic issues due to their flexibility on streets and the relative ease of parking.
1. In conclusion, despite the minor conveniences engendered by cars, bicycles make city life more livable generally. 2. By prioritizing cycling infrastructure and promoting a cycling culture, cities can create a greener, healthier, and more efficient urban environment for all residents.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
While some argue that cars are the superior solution for urban travel, others firmly believe that bicycles are preferrable. In my opinion, although cars are convenient in certain circumstances, bicycles are by far a better option due to their flexibility.
Cars are undeniably useful in particular instances. Firstly, they provide convenience and comfort, especially during adverse weather conditions or when carrying heavy loads. Individuals commuting to work or transporting groceries are likely to find cars more practical and efficient. During these trips cars also offer greater privacy by allowing commuters to enjoy personal space and listen to their preferred music or podcasts during the journey. If a person is making a longer journey or lives in an area where the weather is often inhospitable, then traveling by car is essentially a necessity. Those who suffer from medical conditions that prevent the use of a bicycles will require a private vehicle to an even greater extent.
However, the overriding concern in most urban areas today is traffic congestion. Cars, although comfortable for individual commuters, contribute to increased traffic volume and gridlock. These long traffic queues not only waste valuable time but also result in heightened stress levels among drivers and potentially can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions. Relatedly, cars require ample parking space, which poses a significant challenge in densely populated cities. The scarcity of parking spots often leads to illegal parking and traffic violations, contributing to congestion problems. Bicycles, in contrast, not only offer health benefits by promoting physical activity, but also greatly reduce traffic issues due to their flexibility on streets and the relative ease of parking.
In conclusion, despite the minor conveniences engendered by cars, bicycles make city life more livable generally. By prioritizing cycling infrastructure and promoting a cycling culture, cities can create a greener, healthier, and more efficient urban environment for all residents.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
superior solution – optimal solution
for urban travel – for city commuting
others firmly believe that – others are convinced that
preferred – favored
convenient in certain circumstances – handy in specific situations
by far a better option – significantly superior choice
due to – owing to
flexibility – adaptability
undeniably useful in particular instances – unquestionably valuable in specific cases
provide convenience and comfort – offer convenience and comfort
especially during adverse weather conditions – particularly in inclement weather
carrying heavy loads – transporting heavy items
commuting – traveling to and from work
groceries – food shopping
practical – pragmatic
offer greater privacy by – provide more privacy through
personal space – individual space
preferred music – favorite music
podcasts – audio shows
inhospitable – unwelcoming
essentially a necessity – essentially a requirement
suffer from medical conditions – experience medical conditions
prevent – hinder
to an even greater extent – to a further degree
overriding concern – primary concern
traffic congestion – traffic jams
contribute – contribute to
increased traffic volume – higher traffic volume
gridlock – traffic gridlock
long traffic queues – lengthy traffic lines
waste valuable time – squander precious time
result in heightened stress levels – lead to increased stress levels
potentially can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions – potentially worsen existing medical conditions
Relatedly – Similarly
require ample parking space – need sufficient parking space
poses a significant challenge in densely populated cities – presents a major challenge in densely populated cities
scarcity – shortage
illegal parking – unauthorized parking
traffic violations – traffic offenses
contributing to congestion problems – adding to congestion issues
in contrast – on the other hand
health benefits – advantages for health
promoting physical activity – encouraging physical exercise
greatly reduce traffic issues – significantly decrease traffic problems
flexibility – versatility
relative ease of parking – relatively easy parking
despite – notwithstanding
minor conveniences engendered by – small conveniences brought about by
livable – habitable
prioritizing – giving priority to
infrastructure – public infrastructure
promoting – fostering
cycling culture – bicycle culture
greener – more environmentally friendly
efficient urban environment – effective city environment
residents – inhabitants
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
suːˈpɪəriə səˈluːʃᵊn
fɔːr ˈɜːbᵊn ˈtrævᵊl
ˈʌðəz ˈfɜːmli bɪˈliːv ðæt
priˈfɜːrəbᵊl
kənˈviːniənt ɪn ˈsɜːtᵊn ˈsɜːkəmstɑːnsɪz
baɪ fɑːr ə ˈbɛtər ˈɒpʃᵊn
djuː tuː
ˌflɛksəˈbɪləti
ˌʌndɪˈnaɪəbᵊli ˈjuːsfᵊl ɪn pəˈtɪkjələr ˈɪnstənsɪz
prəˈvaɪd kənˈviːniəns ænd ˈkʌmfət
ɪˈspɛʃᵊli ˈdjʊərɪŋ ˈædvɜːs ˈwɛðə kənˈdɪʃᵊnz
ˈkæriɪŋ ˈhɛvi ləʊdz
kəˈmjuːtɪŋ
ˈɡrəʊsᵊriz
ˈpræktɪkᵊl
ˈɒfə ˈɡreɪtə ˈprɪvəsi baɪ
ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl speɪs
prɪˈfɜːd ˈmjuːzɪk
ˈpɒdkɑːsts
ˌɪnhɒˈspɪtəbᵊl
ɪˈsɛnʃᵊli ə nəˈsɛsəti
ˈsʌfə frɒm ˈmɛdɪkᵊl kənˈdɪʃᵊnz
prɪˈvɛnt
tuː ən ˈiːvᵊn ˈɡreɪtər ɪkˈstɛnt
ˌəʊvəˈraɪdɪŋ kənˈsɜːn
ˈtræfɪk kənˈʤɛsʧᵊn
kənˈtrɪbjuːt
ɪnˈkriːst ˈtræfɪk ˈvɒljuːm
ˈɡrɪdlɒk
lɒŋ ˈtræfɪk kjuːz
weɪst ˈvæljəbᵊl taɪm
rɪˈzʌlt ɪn ˈhaɪtᵊnd strɛs ˈlɛvᵊlz
pəˈtɛnʃᵊli kæn ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt priː-ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ ˈmɛdɪkᵊl kənˈdɪʃᵊnz
rɪˈleɪtɪdli
rɪˈkwaɪər ˈæmpᵊl ˈpɑːkɪŋ speɪs
ˈpəʊzɪz ə sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt ˈʧælɪnʤ ɪn ˈdɛnsli ˈpɒpjəleɪtɪd ˈsɪtiz
ˈskeəsəti
ɪˈliːɡᵊl ˈpɑːkɪŋ
ˈtræfɪk ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃᵊnz
kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪŋ tuː kənˈʤɛsʧᵊn ˈprɒbləmz
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
hɛlθ ˈbɛnɪfɪts
prəˈməʊtɪŋ ˈfɪzɪkᵊl ækˈtɪvəti
ˈɡreɪtli rɪˈdjuːs ˈtræfɪk ˈɪʃuːz
ˌflɛksəˈbɪləti
ˈrɛlətɪv iːz ɒv ˈpɑːkɪŋ
dɪˈspaɪt
ˈmaɪnə kənˈviːniənsɪz ɪnˈʤɛndəd baɪ
ˈlɪvəbᵊl
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzɪŋ
ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧə
prəˈməʊtɪŋ
ˈsaɪklɪŋ ˈkʌlʧə
ˈɡriːnə
ɪˈfɪʃᵊnt ˈɜːbᵊn ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
ˈrɛzɪdᵊnts
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
While some argue that cars are the s_____________________r u__________l, o________________t bicycles are p____________e. In my opinion, although cars are c_______________________________s, bicycles are b_______________________n d_______o their f____________y.
Cars are u___________________________________________s. Firstly, they p________________________________t, e______________________________________________s or when c______________________________s. Individuals c____________g to work or transporting g_________s are likely to find cars more p_______l and efficient. During these trips cars also o______________________y allowing commuters to enjoy p_______________e and listen to their p_________________c or p________s during the journey. If a person is making a longer journey or lives in an area where the weather is often i____________e, then traveling by car is e__________________________y. Those who s_____________________________s that p________t the use of a bicycles will require a private vehicle t_______________________t.
However, the o___________________n in most urban areas today is t_______________n. Cars, although comfortable for individual commuters, c_______________e to i_________________________e and g__________k. These l_____________s not only w____________________e but also r___________________________________s among drivers and p___________________________________________________________s. R__________y, cars r____________________e, which p_____________________________________________________s. The s_________y of parking spots often leads to i___________g and t______________s, c_____________________________________________s. Bicycles, i__________t, not only offer h________________s by p___________________y, but also g__________________________s due to their f____________y on streets and the r____________________g.
In conclusion, d__________e the m_________________________y cars, bicycles make city life more livable generally. By p_______________g cycling i_____________e and p___________g a c____________e, cities can create a g____________r, healthier, and more e_____________________________________t for all r__________s.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to 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.
