Plan this advantages and disadvantages 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:
In some countries, cyclists must by law wear a helmet.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
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.
In some countries, cyclists are legally required to wear a helmet. I believe that the advantages of this rule outweigh the disadvantages, although the question is not clear-cut.
The main advantage is safety. A helmet reduces the risk of serious head injury in a fall or collision, and head injuries are the most common cause of death among cyclists. A law also protects children, who may not understand the danger and whose parents may not insist on a helmet unless it is required. In Australia, where helmets became compulsory in the early 1990s, studies recorded a notable fall in head injuries. A legal requirement also reduces the strain on hospitals and on the families of those injured, since preventing a single brain injury saves very large treatment and care costs.
However, there are drawbacks. Critics argue that compulsory helmets discourage people from cycling, particularly for short, spontaneous trips or in cities with bike-sharing schemes, where users rarely carry a helmet. Since cycling is healthy and pollution-free, any fall in its popularity could harm public health and the environment. Some people also believe that adults should be free to decide on their own safety, and that helmets give a false sense of security that encourages riskier behaviour. Enforcement can also be costly and may fall unfairly on young or poorer cyclists.
On balance, I think the safety benefit is more significant than these concerns. Governments can reduce the drawbacks by making helmets cheap, or even free for children, and by improving cycle lanes so that cyclists are less exposed to traffic.
In conclusion, requiring helmets prevents serious injuries, and although it may discourage some cyclists, I believe the advantages are greater.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| head injury | damage to the head |
| safety equipment | protective gear |
| compulsory helmet law | rule requiring helmets |
| cycling rates | number of people cycling |
| road user | person using the road |
| personal choice | individual decision |
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