IELTS Task 2 Problem and Solution: Traffic Congestion
Explain the causes of traffic congestion in cities and propose practical solutions in a well-organised essay.
- Time
- 40 min
- Length
- 250-300 words
Writadia · B2 · IELTS Task 2
NameClassDate
Your task
Traffic congestion is becoming a serious problem in many cities around the world. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Writing toolkit
Open these only when you need them. Try the first draft on your own.
Plan it in steps
- Introduction: paraphrase the problem and outline your answer.
- Body 1: two main causes, each explained.
- Body 2: two solutions, each linked to a cause.
- Conclusion: summarise causes and solutions.
- Make the links between causes and solutions clear.
Useful phrases
Causes
Solutions
Linking
Tap a phrase to add it to your text. Gaps (…) are selected so you can type over them.
Vocabulary
- congestion
- heavy trafficCongestion costs the city millions.
- commute
- travel to workMy commute takes an hour.
- infrastructure
- basic systems such as roads and railwaysPublic transport infrastructure needs investment.
- incentive
- something that encourages actionTax incentives for car sharing
- car-dependent
- needing a car for daily lifecar-dependent suburbs
Model answer (243 words)
Read it after you’ve written your own version. Notice the highlighted parts. The numbers explain why they work.
In many cities, roads that once flowed freely are now blocked for hours every day. This essay will examine two main causes of this congestion and suggest measures that could reduce it.1
One of the main causes is the rapid rise in car ownership. As incomes increase, more families buy cars and use them even for short journeys.2 This is largely due to the fact that public transport in many cities is slow, crowded or unreliable, so driving seems the only practical option. Another contributing factor is the way cities have expanded. New housing is often built on the edges of cities, far from workplaces and shops, which makes residents car-dependent and lengthens daily commutes.
To tackle the first problem, governments should invest in fast, frequent public transport.3 Dedicated bus lanes and modern metro systems, such as those built in many Asian capitals, can move far more people than roads full of private cars. If buses were quicker than driving, fewer people would choose their cars. In addition, a congestion charge for driving into the city centre, as introduced in London and Stockholm, can discourage unnecessary trips. To address the second cause, planners could require new neighbourhoods to include schools, shops and offices, so that residents can meet their daily needs nearby.
In conclusion, congestion results mainly from growing car use and car-dependent urban design. Better public transport, charges on central driving and mixed-use planning together offer a realistic path to clearer roads.4
- Introduction with a clear outline.
- Cause 1 + explanation.
- Solution linked directly to cause 1.
- Conclusion summarising causes and solutions.
Teacher notes
Coherence: highlight in two colours: causes and solutions. The best answers show a visible link between each pair.
Fact check: London (since 2003) and Stockholm (permanent since 2007) both have congestion charges.
Extra challenge
Add a paragraph on one possible disadvantage of congestion charges.
Lesson plan
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: congestion, commute, infrastructure, incentive, car-dependent.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “One of the main causes of ... is ...”, “This is largely due to ...”, “Another contributing factor is ...”.
- 38 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (250-300 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
Assessment rubric
| Criterion | Band 7+ | Band 6 | Band 5 | Band 4 or below | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task Response | All parts answered; position clear throughout and well supported. | All parts addressed; some ideas underdeveloped. | Task partly addressed; position sometimes unclear. | Barely addresses the task or off topic. | |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Logical flow; varied, natural linking; clear paragraphs. | Generally organised; linking sometimes mechanical. | Weak organisation; few or faulty linkers. | Ideas not linked. | |
| Lexical Resource | Wide, precise vocabulary; few slips. | Adequate range; some errors that do not block meaning. | Limited range; noticeable repetition and spelling errors. | Very limited; meaning often lost. | |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Variety of complex structures; most sentences error-free. | Mix of simple and complex forms; errors rarely reduce clarity. | Mostly simple forms; frequent errors. | Errors seriously affect understanding. | |
| Total | |||||
Criterion names are the official IELTS criteria; descriptors are short classroom summaries. Each criterion carries equal weight.
Task checklist
- I explained at least two causes.
- Each solution is linked to a cause.
- My paragraphs are clearly organised.
Teacher comment
Peer-review sheet
Students swap texts and give each other feedback with this sheet.
Before you finish
Before you finish
- I explained at least two causes.
- Each solution is linked to a cause.
- My paragraphs are clearly organised.
Writadia · B2 · IELTS Task 2
Assessment rubric: IELTS Task 2 Problem and Solution: Traffic Congestion
| Criterion | Band 7+ | Band 6 | Band 5 | Band 4 or below | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task Response | All parts answered; position clear throughout and well supported. | All parts addressed; some ideas underdeveloped. | Task partly addressed; position sometimes unclear. | Barely addresses the task or off topic. | |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Logical flow; varied, natural linking; clear paragraphs. | Generally organised; linking sometimes mechanical. | Weak organisation; few or faulty linkers. | Ideas not linked. | |
| Lexical Resource | Wide, precise vocabulary; few slips. | Adequate range; some errors that do not block meaning. | Limited range; noticeable repetition and spelling errors. | Very limited; meaning often lost. | |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Variety of complex structures; most sentences error-free. | Mix of simple and complex forms; errors rarely reduce clarity. | Mostly simple forms; frequent errors. | Errors seriously affect understanding. | |
| Total | |||||
Criterion names are the official IELTS criteria; descriptors are short classroom summaries. Each criterion carries equal weight.
Task checklist
- I explained at least two causes.
- Each solution is linked to a cause.
- My paragraphs are clearly organised.
Teacher comment
Writadia · B2 · IELTS Task 2
Peer-review sheet: IELTS Task 2 Problem and Solution: Traffic Congestion
WriterReviewer
Read your partner’s text carefully. Be kind and specific: say why, not just “good”.
Task checklist
| Yes | Partly | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I explained at least two causes. | |||
| Each solution is linked to a cause. | |||
| My paragraphs are clearly organised. |
Questions
- Does the text cover every point in the task?
- Are there paragraphs? What is each one about?
- Write two linking words the writer used.
- Is there a sentence you had to read twice?
Two stars and a wish
★ Something I liked
★ Another thing I liked
→ One suggestion
Writadia · B2 · IELTS Task 2
Lesson plan: IELTS Task 2 Problem and Solution: Traffic Congestion
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: congestion, commute, infrastructure, incentive, car-dependent.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “One of the main causes of ... is ...”, “This is largely due to ...”, “Another contributing factor is ...”.
- 38 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (250-300 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
Did you use this task in class?
If you used it, tell us. It helps us see which tasks work.