IELTS with Mujahid · Academic Writing
Sending your writing to your instructor for review...
Compare your response against a high-band sample — don't aim to copy it, use it to see how ideas are organised and supported.
The diagrams illustrate how cement is manufactured and how it is then used to make concrete for construction.
Overall, cement production is a multi-stage linear process that turns raw materials into bagged cement, whereas concrete production involves a single mixing stage in which cement is combined with three other ingredients.
In the first diagram, limestone and clay are fed into a crusher, where they are broken into small pieces. The crushed materials then pass into a mixer, which blends them into a powder. This powder is transported to a rotating heater, where heat is applied to it. After heating, the material goes into a grinder, which produces cement. Finally, the finished cement is packed into bags.
The second diagram shows how cement is used to make concrete. Cement, sand, gravel (small stones) and water are put together in a concrete mixer. Gravel is the main ingredient, making up 50% of the mixture, followed by sand at 25% and cement at 15%, while water is the smallest component at just 10%.
Traffic congestion and air pollution are growing problems in many cities, and some people believe that raising the price of petrol is the best remedy. I only partly agree with this view, because higher fuel prices can help but are unlikely to solve the problem alone. Other measures, particularly better public transport, are also essential.
Increasing petrol prices can certainly reduce car use. When fuel becomes expensive, drivers tend to make fewer unnecessary journeys, share rides or switch to cheaper alternatives, which reduces both congestion and exhaust emissions. The extra revenue could also be used to improve roads and fund cleaner transport. However, this approach has serious drawbacks. People who live far from city centres or who have no alternative to driving, such as delivery workers, will simply pay more, and poorer households suffer the most. Moreover, as the cost of fuel rises, so does the cost of transporting goods, which pushes up prices in shops.
Therefore, other measures should accompany any price rise. Firstly, governments should invest in reliable, affordable and comfortable public transport, such as metro lines and bus lanes, so that people have a real alternative to their cars. Secondly, congestion charges and restrictions on older, polluting vehicles, as introduced in London, can discourage driving in crowded areas. Thirdly, encouraging electric vehicles through subsidies and charging stations would cut pollution even if traffic levels remain high. Finally, promoting cycling and working from home can reduce the number of daily commutes.
In conclusion, a higher petrol price can play a useful role, but it is not the best solution on its own. A combination of improved public transport, restrictions on pollution and support for cleaner vehicles would be far more effective.