You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve the growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? What other measures do you think might be effective?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1: (Agreement)
Over the last century, our cities faced unprecedented growth of traffic congestion and as a result of this, we encounter a litany of environmental pollutions. Some experts believe that the rising cost of petrol is the best way to tackle these problems. I firmly believe that there is a defensible basis for this argument. In this essay, some other possible solutions will be elaborated.
The proponents of this view claim that recent studies have shown that due to increasing the price of petrol, the user of this energy has dramatically decreased. As a result of this, the wide demand for petrol has slumped. The key point to justify this attitude could be illustrated by a tangible example. Our country “Iran” has a high reputation for having oil resources. Consequently, the price of petrol was not justified by comparison with another country. To cut a long story short, after applying this idea in cities, the evidence has shown most of the people turn to some Alternatives instead of the use of a private car. For example, by the time went on, the rising price of petrol has caused majority the people use much more public transportation rather than the past.
Alternatively, there are other possible solutions to address this issue. First and foremost, governments should give special care to renewable energy such as water, wind, solar energy and etc. Also, they should encourage people to use public transportation such as electric tram, metro, bus and etc. Last but not least, we should own up to the fact that we need cultural reconstruction about the true understanding of the energy crisis on our planet.
In conclusion, from what has been discussed above, increasing the price of petrol can be an effective factor to reduce consumption of this energy, at least in my country. Serious measures should be taken by government and individuals as a duty for solving these problems. Also, the government must assume responsibility, stop passing the bulk and settle down the effective laws to control this issue. Finally, it is absolutely imperative we should not try to be wise after the events.
[ by – Reza Paziresh ]
Sample Answer 2: (Disagreement)
It is considered that increasing the price of petrol is one of the most important ways to curb escalating traffic and pollution problems. However, in my opinion, I completely believe that using other sustainable sources of energy like solar, wind and hydro will immensely help to tackle such issues.
On the one hand, there are people who think that increasing the price of petrol will reduce its use and, thus, decrease rising traffic congestions and pollutions. However, in spite of increased petrol price people will continue to use it as there are no other viable options available to run vehicles. Hence, it will not bring much change in solving growing traffic issues and pollutions. In fact, due to the increase in petrol price cost of goods may increase because of an increase in transportation costs, creating detrimental effects on the economy.
On the other hand, if more sustainable energy like solar power, wind power, and hydropower are utilised to run vehicles and factories, there will be less emission of harmful gases like carbon mono oxide and CFC which contributes increasing air pollution considerably. In addition, using solar power to run public vehicles would result in cheap fare. This will encourage people to travel through eco-friendly cheap trams, trains and buses.
To conclude, increasing the price of petrol is not the best way to resolve the growing traffic congestions and pollutions. Thus, an effective way to control the aforementioned issues would be to use other renewable sources of energy in the public transport system which can significantly bring down traffic and pollution problems.
[ by – Vikash Singtan ]
Sample Answer 3: (Agreement)
Traffic and pollution have been being two major concerns worldwide lately. Several solutions have been proposed to deal with these problems, improving the price of petrol for example. However, whether or not it is effective is debatable. Yet, I personally agree with proposing a more expensive price of petrol to reduce traffic and pollution based on demanding point of view.
To begin with, a classic economic theory clearly argues that the higher the price, the lower the demanding of a product and reversely. By increasing the price of petrol, more people may be more aware of using the vehicle considerably since they need to pay more to fill the tank. This idea can lead to a systematic approach to reducing traffic and air problem through declining possibilities of people to buy fuel needed to run their vehicle and this may result in reducing the number of transportation tool subsequently. For instance, Whitehorse city has imposed the expensive price of fuel and gas which influences the number of vehicles operating and as a result, it comes up as the cleanest air city of the world.
Meanwhile, the other way to overcome traffic and pollution is by optimising public transportation. A good system of public vehicles accomplished by better infrastructure may be delightful to everyone and can attract individuals to use public transportation more often than their own vehicles. This idea certainly can minimise the amount of traffic and pollution as well. Mass rapid train in China and Japan, for example, sophisticated transport and well-managed train schedule have successfully brought up these countries in lessening traffic problem.
All in all, a wide range of solutions is available to help cope with traffic and pollution problem. Improving fuel price and public transportations are true as proposed solutions.
[ by – Linda ]
Sample Answer 4: (Agreement)
Traffic congestion and pollution are two pressing issues all over the world. As the majority of cars and bikes are petrol driven, elevating petrol price can reduce their numbers on the roads, and as a result, help control traffic congestions and pollution to a great extent, I believe.
Unlike the past, when only rich people could afford automobiles, a majority of car and motorbike owners, these days, are from middle-class families. Therefore, a higher fuel cost will affect their budget, and many of them might opt-out using petroleum driven cars. Such surge in prices will increase the demand for public transportations which is by far the most efficient way to pull out the pollution and traffic jam problems.
Moreover, such a price hike will make eco-friendly automobiles popular. For instance, electric cars, or CNG or LPG driven vehicles can become a viable option for consumers. Although it cannot reduce traffic problems, it can reduce pollutions effectively.
Other solutions can also be considered instead of upscaling petroleum price only. To begin with, the government can implement policies to restrict the number of cars per family can own, and also offer subsidies to citizens to purchase electric cars.
An odd-even approach can be implemented by states where number plates ending with odd numbers can use some roads during rush hours while cars with even number plates can run on other streets. Besides, citizens should change their mindset and help the authority in curbing traffic jams and pollutions.
To conclude, increasing petrol price will open the doors for alternative options which can, directly and indirectly, combat both traffic and pollution problems. The government should make sure the petrol price does not hike the price of other necessary commodities.
[Written by – Patrick; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
Sample Answer 5: (Partial Agreement)
It is considered by many that increasing the price of fuel is one of the most effective methods to curb escalating traffic congestion and pollution problems. I somewhat agree with this proposition, and I will explain my point of view as well as suggest some measures that could have a huge impact on this matter.
On the one hand, there is no doubt about the uncontrolled growing traffics and pollutions as a consequence of rapidly growing cars on the streets. So in order to solve these issues, we need to take steps to control the number of vehicles that run on the streets every day. And increasing the fuel price seems like a great solution. This will also make people think about using alternative energy sources which cause no harm to the environment. One good example here is the use of hybrid cars instead of gasoline dependent ones. However, rising petrol price will make it exclusive for wealthy people and thus poor population will not be able to afford to use petroleum products. This will increase the prices of daily commodities.
Then, turning to other possible solutions than to increase petrol price, which are effective in facing the velocity of traffic flows and pollution; one of these could be setting new restrictions in relation to daily or weekly fuel consumption. For example, determining particular days to use petroleum-driven cars and utilizing other options which are environmental friendly could be a great step. Another solution could be educating people about the importance of saving our environment and the consequences of pollution using multiple advertising media. For instance, through newspapers, the government should encourage people to use non-petroleum items to drive cars.
In conclusion, elevating petrol prices is one of the ways to slow down the pace of growing traffic and its problems related to pollutions despite its negative effects on poor people of society. Alternative ways, which are equally or more effective than increasing fuel price, should be considered to curb these issues.