Plan this problem and solution essay about cities 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:
Noise and light pollution are becoming serious problems for people living in large cities.
What problems does this cause? What measures could be taken to solve it?
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.
Noise and light pollution are becoming serious problems in large cities. This essay will explain the problems they cause and suggest measures to reduce them.
The main sources of noise are traffic, construction, aircraft and nightlife, while light pollution comes from street lamps, advertising boards and illuminated buildings that stay lit all night. The effects on health can be considerable. Constant noise raises stress and blood pressure and has been linked to heart disease, and it disturbs sleep, leaving people tired and less able to concentrate. Bright artificial light at night disrupts the body's natural rhythms and can cause insomnia, and it confuses wildlife: migrating birds collide with lit towers, and insects and sea turtle hatchlings are drawn away from their natural habitats. It also hides the stars, so city residents lose a connection with the night sky. Children living near airports have been found to have lower reading scores, which shows that the damage extends beyond physical health.
Several measures could improve the situation. Authorities can set and enforce noise limits, restrict construction and deliveries to daytime hours, and build barriers or plant trees beside busy roads. Quieter road surfaces and electric vehicles would reduce traffic noise at its source. Planners can also separate homes from industrial zones and entertainment districts. To limit light pollution, cities can use shielded, low-intensity lamps that point downwards, fit timers or sensors so that lighting is dimmed late at night and require shops and offices to switch off unnecessary lights. France has already introduced rules obliging businesses to turn off signs and lighting after a certain hour.
In conclusion, noise and light pollution harm human health and wildlife, but regulation, better design and cleaner technology can reduce both. Taking action will make cities healthier and more pleasant places to live.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| noise pollution | harmful or annoying sound |
| light pollution | too much artificial light |
| sleep deprivation | lack of sleep |
| stress levels | amounts of tension |
| noise barrier | wall that reduces sound |
| curfew | time limit for activity |
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