Plan this advantages and disadvantages 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:
Some cities are making large areas car-free and giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists.
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.
A growing number of cities are creating large car-free zones and giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists. In my view, the advantages of this trend clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
The most important benefit is improved health and environment. Fewer cars mean cleaner air, less noise and fewer road accidents, and people who walk or cycle every day gain exercise that reduces the risk of heart disease and obesity. Pedestrian areas also create attractive public spaces where people can meet, children can play and cafes can place tables outside. The Spanish city of Pontevedra removed cars from its centre and saw traffic deaths fall almost to zero while the population grew. In addition, shops often profit, because people who walk past windows are more likely to stop and buy than drivers passing at speed.
However, there are disadvantages. Businesses that rely on deliveries or on customers arriving by car may lose trade, and residents with limited mobility, such as elderly or disabled people, may find it harder to reach their homes or to travel to a doctor. Traffic can also move to neighbouring streets, increasing congestion there. Some critics add that banning cars is unfair to those who live far from the centre and depend on them for work.
These problems can be reduced through careful planning. Authorities can allow deliveries at certain hours, provide parking at the edge of the zone, offer exemptions for people with disabilities and invest in frequent public transport. Such measures preserve most of the benefits while meeting residents' practical needs.
In conclusion, although car-free areas create some inconvenience, they improve health, safety and quality of life, and I believe the advantages are greater.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| car-free zone | area without cars |
| pedestrianisation | making streets for walkers |
| accessibility | ease of reaching places |
| footfall | number of pedestrians |
| public realm | shared open spaces |
| last-mile delivery | final stage of delivery |
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