IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write at least 250 words.
Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that in many cities around the world there are constant traffic jams
How true do you think this statement is?
What measures can governments take to discourage people from owning cars?
Sample Answer:
The statement that car ownership has risen exponentially in the past three decades is an accurate one. This has had a direct effect on traffic congestion in cities, as the increased demand for road space has not been met with an equal increase in infrastructure. To address this problem, governments must take steps to discourage people from owning cars.
In the past three decades, car ownership has increased significantly. This is largely attributable to a number of factors, such as a rise in global incomes and the proliferation of car manufacturers. The result of this has been a corresponding increase in the amount of traffic on the roads of many cities, resulting in chronic traffic jams. This has had a serious impact on the environment and quality of life in many cities, as the noise and pollution generated by the congestion has become a major issue.
In order to address the issue of traffic congestion, governments must take steps to discourage people from owning cars. One of the most effective measures is to increase taxation on car ownership. This would make it more expensive to own a car, and would thus dissuade people from buying one. In addition, governments could introduce incentives for the use of public transportation. These could come in the form of reduced ticket prices or even free public transportation. This would both reduce the amount of traffic on the roads and also provide an accessible and affordable means of transport for those who cannot afford to own a car.
Another measure that governments could take is to introduce laws that regulate car use. This could include restricting the use of cars in certain areas, such as city centres, or introducing regulations on the type of cars that can be used in certain areas. This would limit the amount of traffic in certain areas, thus reducing congestion.
In conclusion, it is true that car ownership has risen significantly in the past three decades, resulting in increased traffic congestion in many cities. To address this problem, governments must take measures to discourage people from owning cars, such as increasing taxation and introducing incentives for the use of public transport. In addition, governments could introduce laws that regulate car use, thus limiting the amount of traffic on the roads.