Others say there are more serious problems. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 9 IELTS essay sample
Some people insist that growing car ownership is the worst problem that cities face. Others, however, opine that there are even worse problems. I side with the second view.
It is true that increase in the number of private cars certainly leads to several problems. For example, it causes traffic congestion. In cities, almost every family now owns a car. Some families own multiple cars. Unfortunately, the existing infrastructure of most cities is not adequate to cope with the increase in the number of cars. Consequently, traffic problems are an everyday occurrence in most major cities. Cars also worsen air pollution. In addition, lack of adequate parking facilities add to the woes of urban dwellers. So, obviously, cars are certainly a problem.
Even so, in my opinion, cars are not the biggest problems that cities face. There are several other issues and one of them is the shortage of affordable housing. Property prices are pretty high in many cities and consequently poor people cannot afford to buy a home. They are often forced to live in shanties in highly unhygienic surroundings. Another problem that cities face is pollution. While cars certainly add to the pollution, they are not the only cause of pollution in urban areas. Factories and construction activities are even bigger polluters. Factories pollute water bodies too. Inadequate infrastructure and drainage facilities also make life hellish for many urban residents. Floods are a regular occurrence because thoughtless construction of homes and other buildings prevents rain water from flowing away. Water logging not only causes traffic jams but also leads to an increase in the number of mosquitoes. Worse still, many cities do not have adequate facilities for treating biodegradable waste. Hence, waste piles up everywhere. Water scarcity is another problem that affects urban areas. Cities often lack water resources of their own. The few resources they have are usually polluted by factories.
In short, the increase in the number of cars certainly affects the quality of life in cities. However, it is not the biggest problem plaguing urbanites. Poor infrastructure, water scarcity and unaffordable housing are even worse issues that affect urban dwellers.
Analysis
The writer has addressed the task well, clearly presented their opinion and defended it with valid supporting points. There are no grammar mistakes. A wide range of vocabulary is used. Cohesive elements are also employed effectively.
Score: Band 9
How to write a discuss both views essay
Before you start writing, you should have a clear understanding of exactly what you are supposed to write. The way you approach an agree/disagree essay is different from the way you approach a discuss both views or problem/solution essay.
Here the task rubric presents two views / opinions. The first view is that cars are the biggest problem in cities. The second view claims that there are even bigger issues. Before you start writing, you should know which view you are going to support. If you believe that cars are indeed the number one problem in cities, you have to prove it with valid arguments. In this case, you have to over emphasise the problems caused by cars and downplay problems caused by other factors.
Now if you believe that cars aren’t the biggest problem, you have to give more importance to other problems. Remember, you still have to acknowledge that cars are a problem. This is not an agree/disagree essay and hence you do not have the option to simply say that cars are not a problem at all. Nor do you have the option to claim that cars are the only problem. You have to discuss the problems caused by both cars and other factors.
In the first body paragraph, discuss how cars affect city life. Think logically and mention all problems that you can think of. Now in the second body paragraph discuss the other problems. If you are an urban dweller ask yourself if traffic congestion and air pollution are the biggest issues you face. If that is indeed the case, then you can claim that cars are the biggest problems in cities. If that is not the case, mention the other problems that affect the quality of your life.
Present your arguments logically. Make sure that your body paragraphs support the opinion you presented in the introduction. If you believe that increase in the number of cars is the biggest issue, your body paragraphs should have several supporting points to defend that view. In this case, you have to present problems caused by other factors in such a way that they sound less serious.
