雅思口语范例:a traffic jam

Describe a time when you had to wait in a traffic jam.
            You should say:
                          when and where it happened
                          where you were going at that time
                          what form of transport you were using *
                          what you did while waiting  (possibly: what you did about the situation)
             and explain how you felt when you were in that traffic jam. *
                                            or
            and explain what problems that traffic jam caused for you. *
Notes
    * People have written that the card says, "What you did". I assume that means, "What you did while waiting" but it might mean, "What you did to try to get out of your problem situation".
My sample:
Well, in cities nowadays, it has almost become a norm to be stuck in a traffic jam. I have been in traffic jams many times, but this one makes the deepest impression. Last year, I took a bus and headed to an interview with a company that I had applied. Shortly afterwards, the bus stopped in the middle of the traffic. There was rumor that some accident had happened and the traffic was held up. People were complaining on the bus. I felt so anxious because I would be late for this interview and would lose this precious opportunity. I called the company trying to explain the situation. The girl who took the phone had a very sweet voice. She told me patiently not to worry. She said that she would explain everything to her boss and help me reschedule. I was so grateful for her help that I asked for her name and phone number. Five minutes later, she called me and told me that the traffic jam was city-wide and that her boss totally understood this. She also said that I would be given another interview the next day at 10 in the morning, which was really something that I had not expected. I got the internship later and the girl became my girlfriend and has remained so until today. Actually, I think that the traffic jam is a godsend that brings my girlfriend and I together.
Part 3
Different Modes of City Transportation
Choices of Transportation
  Do you prefer traveling by car or by bus? FQx2
By car, although I don’t have one yet. It give me the freedom to go anywhere I like.
    * (Similar to above) Compare travelling by car and travelling by bus. (Probably referring to travel in a city or town, not long distance travel) FQx2
If you are traveling by car, you have the freedom to choose your destination and can leave at any time. If you are traveling by bus, you have to follow some schedule. There is not much freedom of choice.
    * Which vehicles are more likely to be in a traffic jam, cars or buses?
Buses, because they are bigger and more difficult to turn around.
    * If you were in a traffic jam, would you prefer to be in a car or a bus? FQx2
A car. To be stuck in the traffic in a bus, especially a crowded one is like hell.
    * (Similar to above) Do you think you would feel differently in a traffic jam if you were in a bus, compared to being in a car? FQx2
同上。
    * Compare travelling by taxi with travelling by other forms of public transportation.
Traveling by taxi is more flexible. I can choose wherever I would like to visit and when. If I am taking the other forms of public transportation, such as a bus, there will be no such freedom.
    * How does having many cars in a city affect the environment?
Cars are the worst polluters in the city and can affect the environment badly. Car emission is considered the number one killer in the city, I hear.
    * What do you think of people who always drive their car, even when they could just as easily use public transportation?
I believe it is a kind of habit. Once they have formed the habit of driving a car, it is difficult to change to the other form of transportation, unless they make a conscious effort to do so.

Traffic Congestion
See Note
The Traffic Conditions in your Hometown
    * What are the traffic conditions like in your hometown?
There is too much traffic in my hometown, as is in so many cities in China now. The road is always blocked during the rush hours.
    * Are traffic jams very common in your hometown (or, around where you live)?
Yes, the road is always blocked during the rush hours.
    * Do you feel that traffic congestion in your hometown is better, or worse than it used to be? FQ
It is worse. The road is always blocked during the rush hours.
The Nature of Traffic Jams
    * What are the causes of traffic jams (or, traffic congestion)?
I guess the rise in the private ownership of cars is the main reason. Besides, many government departments own more cars than necessary.
    * When (at what time of the day) do the most severe traffic jams usually happen?  (Why?) FQx2
It usually occurs during the rush hour from 8 to 10 in the morning and from 5 till 8 in the evening.
    * What locations are most prone to traffic jams?
The crossroads in the downtown area, I believe.
The Social Impact of Traffic Jams
    * What impact do you think traffic jams have on society? (or, on people)
Usually they are bad on people, because a lot of time is wasted during the jam and people can do nothing but sit there and complain. It is also a waste of energy as so many cars have to drive at a slow speed which is energy-consuming.
    * What is the mood of people when they are caught in a traffic jam?
People usually complain, though some might take the time to have a small nap.
Managing/Solving the Problem of Traffic Jams
    * Do you think only the government has the power to manage the problem of traffic jams? (Or can the decisions of individuals affect whether or not there are traffic jams?) FQ
The main responsibility lies with the government, in my opinion, because they have the power to pass laws to restrict the use of cars, but the individuals can also help by making some efforts such as car-pooling. (路途一样的人，多人同乘一辆车)
    * (Similar to above) Do you think it's only the responsibility of the government to solve this problem (and not the responsibility of ordinary people)? FQ
同上。
    * In what ways do you think decisions made by government affect how much traffic congestion there is? (E.g., town planning/major event planning)
There are a lot that the government can do. For example, they can relocate the government agencies to the suburb so that there would be less traffic in the downtown area. Or they can designate special lanes for the bus to encourage public transportation.
    * What is the government doing (or, what has it done) to help solve the problem of traffic jams? FQ
They have designate special lanes for the buss to encourage the public to take the bus. They have also discouraged the use of private cars by imposing tax on gas.
    * What would you suggest as possible solutions to the problem of congested traffic? FQx2
I believe that special lanes should be designated for bus to encourage the public to use buses. Private cars should be discouraged if there is higher tax on the use of gas. The government should move some of its agencies to the suburb to relieve the traffic in downtown area.
    * Do you think the problem of traffic congestion will be eased (or solved) in the future or will it become worse? FQx2
I think it will become worse as people are getting richer and more people own cars.
    * Do you think having more public transportation is the answer to traffic congestion? FQ
Yes, it is one solution. There are other solutions such as discouraging the use of private cars, the relocation of government agencies to the suburb.
    * Is the bus system very useful for you?
Yes, it is. The system has a network that covers almost every corner of the city.
    * Do you think building more roads (motorways (freeways)/highways) will solve the problem? FQx2 See Note
More roads will relieve the problem, not solve it, since more cars will run the road in the future.
    * (Similar to above) Do you think the government should build more motorways and highways in order to ease this problem? FQx2
Yes, more motorways and highways can help to ease the problem, though they cannot solve the problem entirely.
    * Overseas, some governments have increased the sales tax on cars as a way to discourage people from buying cars. Do you think that's a good idea?  FQ
No. I don’t think so, because in China, car industry is one of the main industries in the nation’s economy. It also employs a lot of people. If the sales of cars were decreased, the industry would suffer and many car factories would go out of business and many people would be unemployed. (此处用的是虚拟语气)
    * Do you think big and small cars should be taxed the same amount? (sales tax when buying)  FQ
No. I think big cars should be taxed more, since they use more space and consume more energy.