IELTS General Training Essay: Urban Infrastructure

Vocabulary Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

policymakers politicians, the authorities

optimal counter best solution

traffic issues problems related to too many cars

urban areas cities

increased funding for infrastructure more money for buildings

marginal effect small impact

potentially more impactful possibly greater effect

regulations rules and laws

Supporters of investment in people in favor of funding

contend argue

direct straightforward

pragmatic useful

face inevitable traffic problems caused by overcrowding and deteriorating roads have to deal with issues from too many people and streets getting old

Improving the existing infrastructure fixing roads now

repaving putting down new pavement

reduce accidents fewer crashes

slow driving not going fast

building additional public transportation lines for subways adding on metro routes

creating biking lanes making space for bikes to ride

widening increasing

overpasses roads going over other ones

Combined in the aggregate

theoretical result what could happen

alleviation fixing

current strain on transport systems pressure on roads, transport, etc.

in practice in reality

rarely produce doesn’t often happen

actual difference in traffic conditions real change for traffic

keep pace with growing populations match the growth of people living there

Instead rather than

drastic policies strong laws

reform change

ban prohibit

severely limit really contain/stop

private vehicles cars

enacted single day bans or raised taxes on automobile purchases create laws where you can’t drive one day or make cars more expensive

occupy take up space

majority most of

least efficient wastes time and energy

slowest modes of travel not the fastest ways to go

subtly shift housing policies slightly change how much it costs

engender dramatic effects create a big impact

build upwards construct tall apartment buildings

skyscrapers tall buildings

limit contain

encourage a more horizontal cityscape make the city more spread out

spread out workplaces

lower less than

generally overall

there is little doubt that few would question

alleviate fix

congestion traffic

to an extent to some degree

best remedy optimal fix

pass laws concerning private vehicles and housing make rules related to cars and real estate

implement put in place

long-term policies over short-term fixes think about the future, not just now