People Believe that the Increasing Number of Cars in Cities - IELTS Writing Task 2

Rapid urbanisation has transformed cities into centres of economic activity, but it has also intensified environmental pressure. The essay topic for IELTS Writing Task 2 ‘People believe that the increasing number of cars in cities’ requires you to evaluate whether private vehicles or industrial activities are primarily responsible for urban pollution, while clearly justifying a personal viewpoint through balanced reasoning. 

In this blog, let us explore Band 7+ model essays on the topic ‘People believe that the increasing number of cars in cities’ and topic-specific vocabulary to help you craft a high-scoring essay.

Essay Question for ‘People Believe that the Increasing Number of Cars in Cities’

Outline for IELTS Discussion Essay

Given below is the outline that will help you to understand how to write an IELTS discussion essay with opinion, like ‘People believe that the increasing number of cars in cities’.

Sample Answers for People Believe that the Increasing Number of Cars in Cities IELTS Writing Task 2

Here are three IELTS Band 9 essay samples on the topic ‘People believe that the increasing number of cars in cities’. 

People Believe that the Increasing Number of Cars in Cities - Sample Answer 1

There is considerable debate about whether private vehicles or industrial activities are the primary sources of pollution and waste in modern cities. While some people argue that factories and large-scale industries are primarily responsible for environmental degradation, others believe that the rapid increase in the number of cars poses a more serious problem. In my opinion, although both contribute to urban pollution, private vehicles play a far more dominant role in worsening air quality and generating waste in cities.

The most significant contributor to urban pollution is the sheer volume of cars on city roads. Daily commuting, frequent traffic congestion, and inadequate public transport systems encourage excessive dependence on private vehicles. As a result, cars continuously emit greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which severely damage air quality and pose serious risks to public health. Moreover, cars generate substantial amounts of waste, including used tyres, engine oil, batteries, and non-biodegradable plastic components, all of which create long-term disposal challenges. 

Industries, on the other hand, certainly contribute to pollution through factory emissions and industrial waste. However, many industrial zones are located outside city centres and are subject to stricter environmental regulations. Governments increasingly require factories to adopt cleaner technologies and waste-treatment systems, which helps reduce their overall impact. In contrast, individual car usage remains largely unregulated and continues to rise rapidly.

In conclusion, although industrial pollution cannot be ignored, the escalating number of private vehicles is the most immediate and visible cause of urban pollution and waste. Continuous vehicle emissions, traffic congestion, and car-related waste make automobiles the dominant contributor to environmental degradation in cities.

People Believe that the Increasing Number of Cars in Cities - Sample Answer 2

There is an ongoing debate about whether the increasing number of private cars or industrial activities is the main contributor to pollution and waste in cities. While some people believe that traffic-related emissions are the primary cause of environmental degradation, others argue that industries are far more damaging. In my opinion, although vehicles play a significant role in urban pollution, industrial activities contribute more substantially to large-scale environmental harm. 

On the one hand, cars are a major source of pollution in urban areas. Exhaust emissions from private vehicles release harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter, all of which degrade air quality and threaten public health. Heavy traffic congestion further intensifies the problem, as idling engines waste fuel and increase emissions unnecessarily. In densely populated cities, the cumulative impact of millions of cars leads to persistent smog, noise pollution, and a rise in respiratory illnesses. 

On the other hand, industries produce pollution on a much larger and more destructive scale. Factories often emit toxic gases and discharge untreated wastewater into rivers and surrounding land, causing long-term damage to ecosystems. Industrial waste, including hazardous chemicals and non-biodegradable plastics, is particularly difficult to manage and can contaminate soil and water for decades. Furthermore, industrial pollution is more concentrated and often affects wider regions rather than just city centres. 

In conclusion, while private cars undeniably worsen urban pollution and waste, I believe industrial activities are the greater contributor overall. Their large-scale emissions, harmful waste, and long-lasting environmental impact make industries the primary source of serious pollution, highlighting the need for stricter regulation and cleaner production methods.

People Believe that the Increasing Number of Cars in Cities - Sample Answer 3

Few opine that the primary cause of pollution and garbage is the rising number of cars in urban areas whilst others attribute it to industries. As both factors are certainly causing environmental pollution, they will be discussed in the forthcoming paragraphs one by one.

To begin with, the high demand for cars in cities directly results in air pollution. Consumption of fuel in vehicles emits various gases such as sulphur oxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, which are hazardous to our environment. These gases also trap the heat in the atmosphere, leading to an increase in the earth’s temperature and global warming. Besides, one can feel the breath of fresh air in the countryside where there are fewer cars.

On the other hand, industrial pollution is rampant and can be considered the primary cause worldwide. Apart from releasing poisonous gases into the atmosphere and degrading air quality, the industries also discard wastes into water bodies, causing water pollution. For instance, the water of many rivers in India, like the Yamuna, is rendered unsafe owing to the rampant dump of wastes from industries. Furthermore, many sea creatures are endangered because of water contamination. In addition, water, thus defiled with harmful toxins, affects human life as it is one of the basic needs to survive on earth. Likewise, such polluted water is also the main reason for cholera and typhoid, which causes millions of deaths annually, which was not the case half a century ago.

In conclusion, mobilising all possible forces is a more sensible approach towards handling pollution as there is a large amount of work involved. Therefore, joint efforts of governments and citizens would likely result in the most effective way of preserving the environment.

Vocabulary to Use for People Believe that the Increasing Number of Cars in Cities - IELTS Writing Task 2

To improve your overall vocabulary and demonstrate your lexical resources, here are some IELTS academic high-frequency vocabulary words related to the topic of ‘People believe that the increasing number of cars in cities’.

To conclude, whether cars or industries are the main source of urban pollution tests comparison skills and critical evaluation. Strong responses clearly explain both perspectives, support ideas with logical reasoning, and maintain a consistent position. So, by using good vocabulary words to use in an IELTS essay and balanced arguments, you can effectively achieve a Band 7 or higher.

Useful Links:

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