The topic of government incentives for electric cars has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the growing importance of sustainable transportation, it’s likely that this theme will continue to appear frequently in future tests. Let’s examine a real IELTS question that has appeared in past exams:
Some people think that governments should provide incentives for people to use electric cars. Others believe that governments should not intervene in this way. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
This question reflects the ongoing debate about government involvement in promoting eco-friendly transportation. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question presents two contrasting views on government incentives for electric cars:
- Governments should provide incentives for electric car usage.
- Governments should not intervene in this matter.
To answer this question effectively, you need to:
- Discuss both viewpoints
- Provide reasons and examples to support each view
- State your own opinion
- Use appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Electric vehicles have gained significant attention as a potential solution to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. While some argue that governments should incentivize their adoption, others believe such intervention is unnecessary. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of government incentives argue that financial support can accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions more rapidly. By offering tax breaks, subsidies, or other financial incentives, governments can make electric cars more affordable and attractive to consumers. For instance, Norway’s generous incentive program has resulted in electric vehicles accounting for over 50% of new car sales in 2020, demonstrating the effectiveness of such policies. Furthermore, government support can encourage automakers to invest more in electric vehicle technology, leading to faster innovation and improved infrastructure.
On the other hand, opponents contend that government intervention distorts the free market and may lead to unintended consequences. They argue that if electric vehicles are truly superior, consumer demand will naturally drive their adoption without the need for artificial incentives. Additionally, some critics point out that the environmental benefits of electric cars may be overstated, especially if the electricity used to charge them comes from fossil fuel sources. There are also concerns about the fairness of using taxpayer money to subsidize purchases that primarily benefit wealthier individuals who can afford new vehicles.
In my opinion, while the free market should ultimately drive the adoption of new technologies, government incentives for electric vehicles are justified in the short term due to the urgent need to address climate change. The environmental benefits of electric cars, particularly when powered by renewable energy sources, outweigh the potential drawbacks of market intervention. However, I believe that such incentives should be carefully designed and time-limited to avoid creating long-term market distortions.
In conclusion, government incentives for electric vehicles can play a crucial role in accelerating the transition to cleaner transportation, but they should be implemented thoughtfully and with a clear exit strategy. As technology improves and prices decrease naturally, the need for such incentives should diminish, allowing the market to take over in driving further adoption.
(Word count: 346)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and deserves a Band 8-9 score for the following reasons:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “greenhouse gas emissions” and “fossil fuel sources.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly.
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Why electric vehicles are the future of transportation is a topic that this essay addresses effectively, providing a balanced view of the debate surrounding government incentives.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Nowadays, electric cars are becoming more popular, and some people think governments should give incentives to encourage their use. Others disagree with this idea. In this essay, I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support government incentives for electric cars have some good reasons. Firstly, electric cars are better for the environment because they don’t produce pollution like regular cars. If more people use electric cars, it can help reduce air pollution in cities. Secondly, incentives can make electric cars cheaper, so more people can afford them. For example, in some countries, the government gives tax breaks or cash rewards to people who buy electric cars.
However, there are also arguments against government incentives. Some people say it’s not fair to use taxpayers’ money to help only some people buy cars. They think the market should decide which cars are popular without government interference. Another point is that electric cars might not be as green as we think if the electricity comes from coal or other dirty sources.
In my opinion, I think governments should provide some incentives for electric cars, but not too much. It’s important to encourage cleaner transportation, but we also need to be careful about spending public money. Maybe governments could focus on improving charging stations and other infrastructure instead of giving money directly to buyers.
To conclude, there are good arguments on both sides of this debate. While government incentives can help promote electric cars and reduce pollution, we need to consider the costs and fairness of such programs. I believe a balanced approach with some incentives and infrastructure improvements is the best way forward.
(Word count: 276)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates good writing skills and falls within the Band 6-7 range for the following reasons:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and stating the writer’s opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes in a mechanical way.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempt at using less common words. However, the range is more limited compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, though there are some errors.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are presented and supported, but the level of detail and explanation is less than in the Band 8-9 essay.
Should governments promote electric cars over petrol vehicles is a question that this essay addresses, albeit with less depth and sophistication than the higher band essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Incentives (noun) – /ɪnˈsentɪvz/ – something that encourages a person to do something
- Transition (noun) – /trænˈzɪʃən/ – the process of changing from one state or condition to another
- Subsidies (noun) – /ˈsʌbsɪdiz/ – money given by a government to help an industry or business keep prices low
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – the basic systems and services that a country or organization needs to function properly
- Adoption (noun) – /əˈdɒpʃən/ – the act of starting to use something new
- Greenhouse gas emissions (noun phrase) – /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – the release of gases that contribute to global warming
- Distort (verb) – /dɪˈstɔːt/ – to change something from its usual, original, or natural shape or condition
- Renewable energy (noun phrase) – /rɪˈnjuːəbəl ˈenədʒi/ – energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power
- Innovation (noun) – /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ – a new idea, method, or device
- Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ – able to continue over a period of time without damaging the environment
Conclusion
The topic of government incentives for electric cars is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The environmental impact of different transportation methods
- Government roles in promoting sustainable technologies
- The advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles
The rise of electric cars and its effects on the environment is another important aspect to consider when preparing for this topic.
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your points with relevant examples. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners.