Electric vehicles for public transport have become an increasingly popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This subject aligns with global trends towards sustainable urban development and environmental conservation. Based on recent exam patterns, we can expect to see more questions related to this theme in future IELTS tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past exams and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Some people think that all public transportation should be electric to reduce air pollution. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to express their opinion on whether all public transportation should be electric to combat air pollution. Key points to consider:
- The main focus is on public transportation, not private vehicles.
- The question implies a direct link between electric vehicles and reduced air pollution.
- The phrase “to what extent” allows for a nuanced response, rather than a simple agree/disagree stance.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In recent years, the shift towards electric public transportation has gained significant traction as a potential solution to combat air pollution in urban areas. While I largely agree that electrifying public transit systems can yield substantial environmental benefits, I believe that a more nuanced approach is necessary to address the complexities of this issue.
The primary advantage of transitioning to all-electric public transportation is the dramatic reduction in direct emissions. Electric buses and trains produce zero tailpipe emissions, which can significantly improve air quality in densely populated urban centers. This is particularly crucial in megacities like Beijing or New Delhi, where air pollution has reached critical levels. Moreover, as renewable energy sources become more prevalent in the power grid, the overall carbon footprint of electric public transport will continue to decrease, further enhancing its environmental benefits.
However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks and challenges of a complete shift to electric public transportation. The initial costs of overhauling existing infrastructure and replacing entire fleets of vehicles can be prohibitively expensive for many cities, particularly in developing countries. Additionally, the production of electric vehicles and batteries involves its own environmental impacts, including the mining of rare earth elements and the disposal of spent batteries. These factors must be carefully weighed against the long-term benefits of reduced emissions.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of electric public transportation in reducing air pollution is heavily dependent on the source of electricity generation. In regions where fossil fuels still dominate the energy mix, the environmental benefits of electric vehicles may be limited. Therefore, a holistic approach that includes both the electrification of public transport and the transition to renewable energy sources is essential for maximizing the positive impact on air quality.
In conclusion, while I broadly support the move towards electric public transportation as a means to reduce air pollution, I believe that implementation should be gradual and context-specific. Cities should consider their unique circumstances, including financial resources, existing infrastructure, and energy sources, when developing strategies to improve public transport and air quality. A balanced approach that combines electric vehicles with other sustainable solutions, such as improved urban planning and investment in renewable energy, is likely to yield the most effective results in the long term.
(Word count: 368)
Electric buses in an urban environment
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In today’s world, air pollution is a major problem in many cities, and some people believe that making all public transportation electric is the solution. While I agree that electric vehicles can help reduce pollution, I think there are both advantages and disadvantages to this idea.
One of the main benefits of electric public transport is that it doesn’t produce exhaust fumes. This means that the air in cities could become much cleaner if all buses and trains were electric. For example, in big cities like London or Tokyo, where there are many buses, switching to electric vehicles could make a big difference to air quality. Also, electric vehicles are usually quieter than regular ones, which could make cities more pleasant places to live.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, electric vehicles can be very expensive to buy and maintain. Many cities might not have enough money to replace all their buses and trains with electric ones. Additionally, we need to think about where the electricity comes from. If it’s produced by burning coal or oil, then we’re still causing pollution, just in a different place.
Another issue is that electric vehicles need to be charged regularly. This means that cities would need to build many charging stations, which could be difficult in places where space is limited. There’s also the question of what happens if there’s a power cut – all the public transport might stop working at once.
In conclusion, while I believe that electric public transportation can help reduce air pollution, I don’t think it’s necessary or practical to make all public transport electric. I think a better approach would be to gradually increase the number of electric vehicles while also looking at other ways to reduce pollution, such as improving cycling infrastructure or encouraging people to walk more for short journeys.
(Word count: 309)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, air pollution is a big problem in many cities. Some people think that all public transportation should be electric to help solve this problem. I partly agree with this idea, but I also think there are some problems with it.
The good things about electric public transport are that it doesn’t make smoke and it’s quieter. This can help make the air cleaner in cities and make them nicer places to live. For example, if all buses in a city were electric, there would be less pollution on the streets.
But there are also some bad things about this idea. Electric buses and trains cost a lot of money, and some cities might not be able to afford them. Also, we need to think about where the electricity comes from. If it comes from burning coal, then we’re still making pollution.
Another problem is that electric vehicles need to be charged. This means cities would need to build many charging stations, which could be hard to do in some places.
In my opinion, I think it’s a good idea to have more electric public transportation, but I don’t think all of it needs to be electric. Cities should try to use more electric vehicles, but they should also look at other ways to reduce pollution, like having more bike lanes or encouraging people to walk more.
(Word count: 218)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout.
- Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary used with flexibility and precision.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are arranged coherently, but there may be occasional lapses in progression.
- Lexical Resource: Adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some attempts at less common words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with some errors that do not impede communication.
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Overall progression is clear, but connections between ideas may be unclear or repetitive.
- Lexical Resource: Limited range of vocabulary, adequate for basic communication.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Limited range of structures with frequent grammatical errors, though meaning is generally clear.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Electrification (noun) /ɪˌlek.trɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ – The process of providing electricity to a place or system.
Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/ – Able to continue over a period of time without damaging the environment.
Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪn.frə.strʌk.tʃər/ – The basic systems and services that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively.
Emissions (noun) /ɪˈmɪʃ.ənz/ – The act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source.
Renewable energy (noun phrase) /rɪˈnjuː.ə.bəl ˈen.ə.dʒi/ – Energy that is produced using the sun, wind, etc., or from crops, rather than using fuels such as oil or coal which cannot be replaced.
Carbon footprint (noun phrase) /ˈkɑː.bən ˈfʊt.prɪnt/ – The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.
Holistic approach (noun phrase) /həˈlɪs.tɪk əˈprəʊtʃ/ – Dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not just a part.
Gradual implementation (noun phrase) /ˈɡrædʒ.u.əl ˌɪm.plɪ.menˈteɪ.ʃən/ – The process of putting a plan or system into effect slowly and in stages.
Air quality (noun phrase) /eər ˈkwɒl.ə.ti/ – The degree to which the air is suitable or clean enough for breathing.
Transition (noun) /trænˈzɪʃ.ən/ – The process or period of changing from one state or condition to another.
Electric vehicle charging station
In conclusion, the topic of electric vehicles in public transport is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of government in promoting electric vehicles
- Comparing electric and traditional public transport systems
- The impact of electric vehicles on urban planning and infrastructure
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and further improvement.
How technology is transforming public transport is another interesting topic that you might want to explore to broaden your understanding of this subject. Additionally, considering the pros and cons of offering free public transportation can provide valuable insights into the broader context of public transport policies.