As the number of private cars has increased, so too has the level of pollution in many cities.

What can be done to tackle this increasingly common problem?

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer
As the number of private cars has increased, so has the level of pollution. Overreliance on cars at
the expense of public transport has made this problem even worse, causing many concerned
citizens to look for a solution to the problem.
One potential solution to this problem is to discourage the use of private cars by raising taxes. If
the cost of petrol was increased, then many people would consider using alternative forms of
transport or even walking. Admittedly, there would be a number of complaints from car drivers,
but these would not be of much importance when balanced against the environmental benefits.
Another solution could be to look at more specific causes of the problem. Modern cars are fitted
with cleaner burning engines and catalytic converters. Accordingly, they do not cause as much of
an environmental hazard as some older cars. In Japan, for example, cars are heavily taxed once
they have been on the road for three years or more, encouraging people to buy new cars which
pollute less. By heavily taxing older vehicles from the road, some of the worst-polluting vehicles
would be taken off the road. However, this would not really be fair to those who cannot afford a
new car with such regularity.
An improvement in the quality and efficiency of public transport would also encourage people to
use their cars less. In London, for example, a system has been operating for some time in which
people are allocated days of the week when they can use their cars. On days that they are not
allowed to drive, public transport is taken.
Although these are potential solutions to the problem, none of them are perfect. Only by a
concerted effort by both the government and the public can this situation truly be resolved.
(298 words)

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IELTS Writing Sample #162

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people think women should be allowed to join the army, the navy and the air force
just like men.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

Test Tip
At the end of any type of essay in the IELTS exam, you need to write a short conclusion. The
important thing to remember is that there are no right or wrong conclusions, and the examiner
will not make any judgments about your opinions, so write freely and clearly
Model answer

Whether women should be allowed to serve in the military has triggered spirited debate. Some
assert that women should be allowed to defend their country in the same capacity as their male
peers. Personally, I agree with their assertion for two reasons.
History has shown that women are fully capable of performing well in the military. Historically,
there were a host of valiant women soldiers whose achievements really put their male
counterparts to shame. One need only look at the classic examples of Joan of Arc and Mulan to
see how exceptionally women could perform on the battlefield. In my observation, their
determination, courage and dignity, to this day, are still being admired by male soldiers and
civilians alike throughout the world.
Moreover, from an enlightened standpoint, female patriots should be granted the right to go to
the front line when their motherland is involved in a war. Admittedly, gender inequality was a
highly controversial issue in the twentieth century. However, now twelve years into the new
millennium, women can learn and teach, work and supervise, vote and voted in most countries
just like men. In light of this sweeping progress in gender equality, there is no sense in denying
them the right to defend their home country when a war breaks out.
In sum, keeping military services out of bounds of women in the information age is unwarranted.
I have been convinced that it is in the best interest of a nation if women are also granted equal
rights in this particular arena.