Plan this discussion essay about transport with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that building new airports and expanding existing ones is essential for a country's economy. Others think the environmental and social costs are too high.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Some people believe that new and larger airports are essential for a country's economy, while others think the environmental and social costs are too high. I will discuss both views, and I will explain why I think expansion should be limited and carefully controlled.
Supporters point to economic benefits. Airports create thousands of direct jobs and many more in hotels, transport and retail, and they link businesses to international markets, making it easier to export goods and attract investment. Tourism depends on convenient air access, and a major hub can raise a whole region's prosperity. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates have built their economic strategy around airports and airlines, and their cities have grown rapidly as a result.
Opponents, however, stress the costs. Aircraft emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and airports generate noise and air pollution that affect the health and sleep of nearby residents. Building a runway can require demolishing homes and destroying farmland or wildlife habitats, and communities may be moved against their wishes. In addition, the economic gains are not always as large as promised, since new capacity is often used by residents travelling abroad, who spend their money overseas rather than by visitors arriving in the country.
In my opinion, airports are important, but unlimited expansion cannot be justified in a time of climate crisis. Governments should make better use of existing facilities, improve rail links as an alternative for short journeys and permit new capacity only when strict environmental and noise standards are met, with fair compensation for affected residents.
In conclusion, airports support jobs and trade, yet their environmental and social costs are heavy, and growth should therefore be limited and carefully regulated.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| air connectivity | ease of reaching places by air |
| economic boost | increase in economic activity |
| noise disturbance | annoyance from sound |
| local residents | people living nearby |
| carbon footprint | total greenhouse gas emissions |
| aviation industry | business of air travel |
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