Scorify.uzPublic transport
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| public transport | buses, trains and trams for everyone | Reliable public transport persuades people to leave their cars at home. |
| rush hour | the busiest time of the day for travel | Trains are packed during the morning rush hour. |
| commuter | a person who travels regularly to work | Commuters often spend two hours a day travelling. |
| fare | the price of a journey | Raising the fare may reduce the number of passengers. |
| timetable | a schedule of departures and arrivals | The bus timetable changes at weekends. |
| overcrowded | too full of people | Overcrowded buses make the journey unpleasant. |
| underground system | a railway under a city | The underground system carries millions of people daily. |
Traffic and roads
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| traffic congestion | heavy, slow traffic | Traffic congestion wastes time and fuel. |
| road safety | measures that prevent accidents | Speed cameras improve road safety. |
| congestion charge | a fee for driving in city centres | A congestion charge encourages people to use trams. |
| pedestrian zone | a street closed to vehicles | The pedestrian zone attracts shoppers and street performers. |
| car ownership | having your own car | Car ownership is rising along with incomes. |
| roadworks | repair work on a road | Roadworks caused long delays on the ring road. |
| air pollution | dirty air caused by fumes | Air pollution from traffic harms children's lungs. |
Urban life
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| urban planning | the design and organisation of cities | Good urban planning separates housing from noisy industry. |
| city centre | the central area of a city | Rents in the city centre are very high. |
| suburb | a residential area at the edge of a city | Many families move to the suburbs for more space. |
| high-rise building | a tall building with many floors | High-rise buildings make use of limited space. |
| cost of living | the money needed for daily needs | The cost of living is higher in the capital. |
| green space | parks and gardens in a city | Green spaces give residents a place to relax. |
| affordable housing | homes ordinary people can pay for | Cities need more affordable housing for young workers. |
Solutions and future trends
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sustainable transport | travel that does little harm to the environment | Sustainable transport includes cycling and electric buses. |
| cycle lane | a road lane just for bicycles | A protected cycle lane makes cycling safer. |
| electric vehicle | a car powered by a battery | Electric vehicles produce no exhaust fumes. |
| invest in infrastructure | spend money on roads, rails and networks | The government plans to invest in infrastructure over the next decade. |
| park and ride | a system of parking outside and taking a bus in | A park and ride scheme reduces the number of cars downtown. |
| car-sharing | several people using the same car | Car-sharing cuts costs and emissions. |
| smart city | a city using technology to manage services | A smart city can control traffic lights using live data. |
How to use these words well
- Use traffic congestion rather than heavy traffic jam; the first is the standard formal collocation.
- Remember that a fare is for a journey, while a fee or charge is for a service.
- When suggesting solutions, link cause and effect: a congestion charge encourages people to use trams, which reduces air pollution.
- Describe your own city in Speaking with two or three of these words and a short example.
Study guides
Computer-Delivered IELTS: What Changes and What Stays the Same
Thinking about taking IELTS on a computer? Here is what stays the same, what feels different in Writing, Reading and Listening, and how to prepare for the screen.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Graphs, Charts and Processes
Useful verbs, nouns, adverbs and sentence patterns for describing line graphs, bar charts, tables and processes in IELTS Task 1, with more than twelve example sentences.
Linking Words for IELTS and How to Use Them Correctly
A practical list of IELTS linking words grouped by function, with correct and incorrect examples, punctuation rules and a warning about overusing connectors.